Ab Muscle Seperation??

Setof2Keys

I have been very frustrated with losing all over and toning my stomach, yet my belly button area has not pulled back at all. I know I have a severe seperation in my abdominal muscles. Since I am really working hard on my body and don't want to resort to surgery (if I don't work hard for it, I will put it back on). Has anyone been able to correct this??? I have seen a few examples but ultimately they say to go see a surgeon...BLAH!! Mine is severe enough that I can look down and see it when I walk down stairs and when I sit up in bed.

If you were able to correct, please tell me how...I am looking great everywhere else. I want this to look good too. Plus the forward weight is killing my back and interferes when I do cardio.

UponThisRock

Not sure what you mean. You have an abnormal amount of fat in your belly button area?

Setof2Keys

Yes but as I am toning muscles it is not pulling back into my core area because my abdominal muscles have seperated. This is common when women have children. Plus I have a condition that was causing muscle breakdown...Im better now, but trying to rebuild my body...Here is the definition: Diastasis recti (also known as abdominal separation) is a disorder defined as a separation of the rectus abdominis muscle into right and left halves.[1] Normally, the two sides of the muscle are joined at the linea alba at the body midline. It is essentially a cosmetic condition, with no associated morbidity or mortality.[2]

godblessourhome

i had ab muscle separation from having 2 c-sections. when i had abdominal surgery in april (for fertility issues) they went in through the c-section scar and fixed the ab separation as a bonus. i recently had surgery again in december so i hope my abs don't separate again. time will tell.

the only way to fix ab separation is to see a surgeon. however, if all you are looking for is a flat belly, then lose enough weight so your body fat is low and that will seem like a 'cure'.

Setof2Keys

I am def working on hecka cardio and wont give up but it causes my back to hurt and as gross as it sound it gets in my way when I do like knee raises or any cardio like that and almost knocks some wind out of me.

knittnponder

I don't have this but there are exercises that are supposed to help and some you're supposed to avoid so you don't make it worse. It's called diastasis recti so if you google exercises for that you'll find lots of info. If it's really bad then surgery is the only option that will fix it.

ETA: Oops. I see you already know about it. Make sure you're not making it worse with regular sit ups and crunches. A quick google of diastasis recti exercises brings up a bunch of hits including you tube videos of exercise.

godblessourhome

I am def working on hecka cardio and wont give up but it causes my back to hurt and as gross as it sound it gets in my way when I do like knee raises or any cardio like that and almost knocks some wind out of me.

i understand. even very close to my goal weight, my stomach.belly button area seems to 'hang over'. my husband noticed that i actually hold my belly in place when i am running sometimes. i didn't even realize that i did that, but it would get in the way and hurt.

Setof2Keys

Topics were way too busy today for me to get any play time on the "recent topics" portion of the page.

melrose09

How long ago did you have you last baby? Mine are definitely still a little more separated that pre-baby, but have closed in a little. I wouldn't say I actually had DR though. Right now, at my waistline, but muscles are about 2 finger widths apart. I do some pretty hardcore ab work outs and I still have that much separation 13 months after a vaginal birth. I did a little digging and I found these exercises. I can't vouch for them, but wouldn't hurt to give them a try. They seem more geared to someone who just had a baby, but it might help you some

http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/ask-the-experts-answers.asp?inID=30

2fit4fat

After my twins I had a hernia.. My separation of my abs on top of that was so bad I could easily stick my fist in it.. U are supposed to gradually work them. I literally was only allowed to tighten and hold for a few seconds and release for weeks. I was told if you do too much to fast you can mess it up more!