Exercising with an umbilical hernia

The main thing that is going to determine how much the loose tummy skin shrinks back is genetics. So if lifting heavy isn't an option for you there is nothing wrong with incorporating light resistance training or function strength training to maintain muscle. Maybe you should look into body weight training (you are your own gym is a pretty good reference) but even there I would check with your doctor to be on the safe side.

I have had an inguinal hernia for two years. I wear a hernia truss when I workout. I lift heavy. I run distances. I play football and basketball. Having seen three doctors, I got conflicting information from all of them. Good luck on figuring it out.

The main thing that is going to determine how much the loose tummy skin shrinks back is genetics. So if lifting heavy isn't an option for you there is nothing wrong with incorporating light resistance training or function strength training to maintain muscle. Maybe you should look into body weight training (you are your own gym is a pretty good reference) but even there I would check with your doctor to be on the safe side.

I plan on doing the resistance training, i did some today. if you check out my diary you can see it. maybe you can give me some tips on which other ones to try? what is function strength training? i have recently checked with my doctor and her advice was to do some core workouts which I already do and am seeing no results. So I really don't think she knows what she is talking about.

Thank you for your reply.

Ahh good old doctors in canada lol. Functional strength training is all about training your muscles for doing things you do on a daily basis rather then with heavy weights etc. (best way I can think to describe it I am by no means an expert lol). Yoga is a great way to train functional strength and core strength. If you find slow yoga too boring maybe try something like a power yoga class. You are your own gym, great book for teaching you about body weight training (also has an app you can get that is kinda handy). Or maybe even try something like Jillian micheals lots of people on here seem to have gotten good results with it and it really only calls for like 5 pound weights. Do you go to gym at all or work out at home? A couple sessions with a PT who knows your limitations could maybe set you up with a good/appropriate program.

(I will just add that after I had my daughter I was down to 108 pounds, fairly low/healthy body fat percent and I still had the loose skin. )

Eta: I'm assuming with that kind of thing you can't do things like regular sit ups or that kind of ab work, planks and the different modifications of it are great for working the core muscles.

i also have a hernia just behind and above the bellybutton. doctor told me that they will not fix it cuz i was to fat, and another doc. told me that i can do just bout any exercise as long as it doesnt make me grunt to much... guessing that to mean i can do whatever as long as i am not stressing that area to much to the point that it is really difficult. either way. i have been doing tae kwon do, lifting.. not hardcore.. walking, swimming, core classes where u do tons of crunches etc. my stomach muscles have been tightening up and it some times feels like the hole is bigger but it is not..just everything around that spot is tightening and getting stronger. i havnt done anything yet that has hurt it or enlarged it. i was over 400 lbs when i started getting back in shape and i am now at the 300 lb mark. so i would call that heavy lifting..lol even though it is my own body .