Hey everybody,

I'm a T-4 para... hurt 17 years ago (I was 7) in a rear end auto collision. I think of myself as being in very good health overall, but I'm curious about my abdominal region (stomach). Over the last couple years it seems as if my stomach is distending. I'm a pretty thin guy, and I know that having no control over my abdominal muscles leads to loose and sagging muscles there, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing something in my bowel program or something. If I'm not evacuuating all of my bowels, can that distend the stomach?

I'm on a good and steady bowel program using Enemeez Mini Ememas with no problems there, and my stomach is not "hard to the touch" at all - a thing doctors tend to ask before they poke and prod it. I'm pretty active, and I'm starting a new excercise program with a heart rate monitor to keep my heart rate up more - burn more calories I suppose. I'm just not sure if the stomache thing is a fat thing, a muscle thing, or a mix of the two.

I'm 24 years old, so not exactly in my middle-age-getting-fat period of life, but I also don't enjoy being shaped like a 120 pound pear now! If anyone has any advice, it would be truly helpful. I'll be seeing my rehab doctor again in March, but was curious if there's anything I should be aware of or try out in the meantime.

Thank you,
-Seth

Seth

A distended tummy is normal, especially if you have a BM regularly. Loss of muscle control has something to do with it. Do you ever feel nauseaus, do you have a BM till everything is out but you said your abdomen was soft.

I don't think I'd worry too much.

Take care
juless

You might want to check out something like this:

Ab Stimulator

There are many such type stimulators out there, and I'm not promoting this particular one over any others....just posting it as an example.

I seem to recall these stimulators being discussed on these forums before. Use caution when using this on insensate areas....do a test on the areas that you can feel first, then regulate the intensity accordingly.

Anyone used one of these or any other similar device for strengthening the abs? I've looked at thema nd thought about it for years, but as with most late night infomercial items I have my doubts on how well they would work.

You have read my mind I am t12 and would love to know if it is safe. I dread looking down and seeing my belly resting on my legs... I was slim once

I've actually toyed with the Slendertone belt. I bought it last year and used it for a few months. It seemed to work a bit, and I even achieved some pretty rockin muscle contractions. It's always a tough call though, because it's used on an area that has no sensation, so beware if you try it out.

The thing with e-stim devices is that if you start to use them and want to see (and keep) any results, then you have to use them on a regular basis without skipping routines or you'll lose any progress you've made. Kind of a bummer sometimes and requires lots of time, but it can pay off I think.

I'm going to try using the belt again, but this time in more of a routine. I'll report back to you all on how it works.

Take care,
-Seth