Flatten stomach? Even possible?

[Buildin Muscle]

When I was in my early 20's I had surgery on my stomach known as a fundoplication.
I have a scare that runs form the center of my mid chest down just past my naval.

Trying to flatten my stomach and tone my mid section has been an ongoing battle.
After I turned 40, I found it nearly impossible to hide the fact that my mid-section has grown.
I have that 'always blotted' look though I'm not.

So I have started back at the gym, focusing on core exercises, participating in gym offered classes to strengthen my abs.
I'm also doing cardio to try and lose some weight and hopefully waist size.

The only supplement I am using is a multi-vitamin and Anabolic Stat to help with recovery.

Would love to hear suggestions from others that may have had similar surgeries.

[Mdenatale]

I would love to find my flat stomach again too I'm doubtful on ever getting to a six pack again, but I'm confident I will get to something close.

When I was about 15 my splein was ruptured. Playing soccer! Who knew it could be so dangerous. As a result I had open abdominal surgery. The scar is a big T. It goes from just below my sternum to just below my naval. At about the center point of that incision is another perpendicual incision about 4 inches long. I can tell you that once it healed up it never caused any problems. I was in the army until I was 26 and my stomach was flat as a board. I never had a six pack, but my midsection was flat and strong. That tells me its possible to get what you are looking for. I imagine it will be a lot harder at 40 compared to 25 though.

I think the best you can do is excerise to strengthen your core and your whole body, lose the excess fat and see what what you get.

[dunemonkey]

When I was in my early 20's I had surgery on my stomach known as a fundoplication.
I have a scare that runs form the center of my mid chest down just past my naval.

Trying to flatten my stomach and tone my mid section has been an ongoing battle.
After I turned 40, I found it nearly impossible to hide the fact that my mid-section has grown.
I have that 'always blotted' look though I'm not.

So I have started back at the gym, focusing on core exercises, participating in gym offered classes to strengthen my abs.
I'm also doing cardio to try and lose some weight and hopefully waist size.

The only supplement I am using is a multi-vitamin and Anabolic Stat to help with recovery.

Would love to hear suggestions from others that may have had similar surgeries.

Well, from what I've read in the past, it sounds like you may be one of the types that carries more visceral fat (surrounding the internal organs) than subcutaneous fat (under the skin). Strengthening your core and abs will "suck it in" a bit, but ultimately, it will be about losing overall fat. It's just that in your (and other visceral fat carriers), that may be the last to go. I carry mine subcutaneously in the standard male patterns, so lovehandles are last to go for me.

As most will tell you, that part is diet, diet, diet. Go to the nutrition section and read all the stickies.

Most will think you'll do yourself justice also by getting on a beginner weight training program as well, and I agree. There are stickies about those in the workout section.

[michail71]

I would love to find my flat stomach again too I'm doubtful on ever getting to a six pack again, but I'm confident I will get to something close.

When I was about 15 my splein was ruptured. Playing soccer! Who knew it could be so dangerous. As a result I had open abdominal surgery. The scar is a big T. It goes from just below my sternum to just below my naval. At about the center point of that incision is another perpendicual incision about 4 inches long. I can tell you that once it healed up it never caused any problems. I was in the army until I was 26 and my stomach was flat as a board. I never had a six pack, but my midsection was flat and strong. That tells me its possible to get what you are looking for. I imagine it will be a lot harder at 40 compared to 25 though.

I think the best you can do is exercise to strengthen your core and your whole body, lose the excess fat and see what what you get.

It is very possible if you just get down to 10% ish body fat. It wasn't hard but just took time. If I can do it for the first time at age 41 anyone can.

I also have a scare from a spleen repair but it's not so noticeable.

[muscleosirus]

Interval training and plyos. Skipping rope works if you can do it. Tough skill to learn at an older age but I think it burns a ton of fat very quickly. 10X3 minute rounds 1 min rest in between sets.

[Jrob69]

Interval training and plyos. Skipping rope works if you can do it. Tough skill to learn at an older age but I think it burns a ton of fat very quickly. 10X3 minute rounds 1 min rest in between sets.

About 45 calories per 3 minutes of moderate jumping. Not really any different than stationary cycling. Skill and older age for jump roping? I suppose if you cant chew gum and walk

[olebuck]

I Have undergone 2 umbilical hernia surgeries (one at age 20 and another at age 39) They implanted a mesh behind my belly button and another after the first ruptured. Like you I doubt I will get a flat stomach or 6 pack but I will try to get as close as I can to that given my circumstances.

[JOHN GARGANI]

When I was in my early 20's I had surgery on my stomach known as a fundoplication.
I have a scare that runs form the center of my mid chest down just past my naval.

Trying to flatten my stomach and tone my mid section has been an ongoing battle.
After I turned 40, I found it nearly impossible to hide the fact that my mid-section has grown.
I have that 'always blotted' look though I'm not.

So I have started back at the gym, focusing on core exercises, participating in gym offered classes to strengthen my abs.
I'm also doing cardio to try and lose some weight and hopefully waist size.

The only supplement I am using is a multi-vitamin and Anabolic Stat to help with recovery.

Would love to hear suggestions from others that may have had similar surgeries.

just curious, OP, as you have said nothing about actually lifting weights...can you clarify?

[Buildin Muscle]

just curious, OP, as you have said nothing about actually lifting weights...can you clarify?

The only weight lifting I'm doing is a ring of weight machines at my local gym.
I get bored of weight lifting very quickly and would rather attend BodyPump classes which involves weights.

[muscleosirus]

About 45 calories per 3 minutes of moderate jumping. Not really any different than stationary cycling. Skill and older age for jump roping? I suppose if you cant chew gum and walk

You get what you put in it. The faster and longer you jump the more you burn.

[themyth2009]

I dont see that surgery preventing you from getting a flat stomach what will is not getting your Body Fat low enough. Most men need to get to 10% of less to see the abs they want.

I had heart surgery less than one year ago and my stomach is pretty flat. Yeah it looks a bit odd and you can see some lumps that are scar tissue.

[Corbi]

I also have a scare from a spleen repair but it's not so noticeable.

Repair? Didn't know they even did that? Mine was yanked out due to a car accident when I was 19, lovely scar too.

[HumblyMuscles]

I'm SCARED to get my Spleen repaired too!!

[Minotaur]

The only weight lifting I'm doing is a ring of weight machines at my local gym.
I get bored of weight lifting very quickly and would rather attend BodyPump classes which involves weights.

I did Body Pump and TRX last year while on Weight Watchers, and lost a lot of fat, some muscle too of course, until my rotator cuff finally gave out. Body Pump is a good program for building endurance and burning fat, and a modicum of strength and size. Along with that and diet, you should be able to get rid of the fat.

[scullin]

OP. I see the pic you have on bodyspace of the stomach, so I see what you're trying to say. I think honestly your best bet would be to build some wider shoulders and back. This plus lowering bodyfat some more will make the stomach appear smaller. It's not really that you're "fat" but your shoulders are very narrow compared to your waist.

[pastorgbc]

I have a large scar down the middle of my belly due to having 20 cms of my colon removed when I was 38.

Losing fat has made the scar much less noticeable.

As far as flattening the tummy, I find that good old fashioned core works best. I recommend planks, side planks, and the best of all, the old school ab wheelie.

Ray

[themyth2009]

OP. I see the pic you have on bodyspace of the stomach, so I see what you're trying to say. I think honestly your best bet would be to build some wider shoulders and back. This plus lowering bodyfat some more will make the stomach appear smaller. It's not really that you're "fat" but your shoulders are very narrow compared to your waist.

I have a wide waist from years of heavy deads and narrow shoulders it makes me appear fatter than I am. Or at least that is what I tell myself.

I have a large scar down the middle of my belly due to having 20 cms of my colon removed when I was 38.

Losing fat has made the scar much less noticeable.

As far as flattening the tummy, I find that good old fashioned core works best. I recommend planks, side planks, and the best of all, the old school ab wheelie.

Ray

Fan of the wheel myself lolz.

[PersonaNonGrata]

10% gym, 90% kitchen - abs are easy

if only gaining muscle was as simple!

[QKal]

I've never had a flat stomach but would like to before I hit 40 in a year! Help!!!!

[GKC45]

^see post #18

[themyth2009]

10% gym, 90% kitchen - abs are easy

if only gaining muscle was as simple!

I think that all depends on genetics. For me abs were never easy. But gaining muscle was not either.