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[City Girl]

I'm a T12 incomplete paraplegic, 13 months post-injury. I had no sensation or muscle function upon my injury. Notwithstanding, sensation began to return at 3 months post-injury, and muscle function at 4 months post-injury. I have been working very hard to recover as much as I can and am able to walk with a cane at this time. I do, however, still have a lot of work to do.

Yesterday, I was standing with my backside to the mirror to check the difference in muscle tone between my left and right legs, as my right leg is much stronger than the left and I wanted to gage the difference as I am working an exercise regime to close the gap. Although I was able to see that there is still a difference, I was also able to see that my bottom and the backs of my legs present with that oh-so-attractive 'cottage cheese' look, i.e., cellulite.

I am a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet and exercise but it seems that the return of active muscle, which was once completely atrophied and lacking circulation, has caused fat cells to surface just under the skin causing the presence of cellulite. Having done some research, it seems there is no cure for it. Neither liposuction, creams, exercise nor diet can rid the body of these irregular, discontinuous patterns of tissue plagued by fat cells.

In the grand scheme of things, it's not really important (funny how what's important in life changes after a SCI) but I am going to Mexico for two weeks this winter (my first vacation since my SCI) and I really wanted to sport a swimsuit without scaring anyone.

I am going to try a one week fat flush. It's not a diet as I will continue to eat my caloric requirements but I will keep my fat intake, as well as sugars and starches, to a minimum. Unused sugars and starches, otherwise known as carbohydrates, just turn into fat if they are not used by the body. I am already doing a fairly strict exercise regime of cardio, muscle strengthening and yoga for flexibility and to promote better circulation.

My question is, has anyone else experienced a presence of cellulite upon the return of muscle function and what have you done to minimize it?