My stomach sags like a pouch?

Question

I'm 56 and fairly active. ve just started power-walking and I feel pretty good, but what specific ab-exercises are there for a sagging belly?; I get a little pain in mid section that subsides with ab-crunches...a sign of weak abs or GI inflammation?

Michelle Hardaway, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, abdominal exercises will not tighten loose
skin.  When the skin loses elasticity, it
sags.  Skin loses elasticity with aging
but stretch marks secondary to pregnancy contributes immensely to the lost of
skin elasticity.  Exercise can strengthen
the abdominal wall muscles and you should continue them.  An abdominoplasty will tightened the muscle
and remove the excess skin.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Skin laxity can only be treated by removing the loose skin with a surgical procedure.Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds  
of tummy tuck procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's 
 website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can  
deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately I am unaware of any specific exercises that will reduce the sag of your tummy.  Excess fat can be removed with liposuction and sagging or excess skin can be removed via a  tummy tuck.

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

Sadly, when you have excess abdominal skin, Surgery in the form of a Tummy Tuck operation is the only solution. Exercises tone the 6 pack muscle and dieting can help reduce the fat. But neither of these fix the loose skin. I have sucessfully operated on a few patients with a visible 6 pack abdominal muscles + very low body fat but were unable to get rid of the excess skin. You should see a Plastic Surgeon who can advise you appropriately.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Good for you in that you have made healthy steps to improve your lifestyle! There are no specific abdominal wall exercises that will target “sagging belly".  Ultimately, best to achieve your long-term stable weight through your current healthy lifestyle. Then, if you still have concerns about the appearance of your abdominal wall, seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience helping patients in your situation. Depending on your physical examination and goals, tummy tuck  surgery may be an option. I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

It would be nice if you could send some photos so that I can see what you are talking about.  But if you are in your fifties and have had children it just may be that you have lost elasticity of the skin of your abdomen and abdominal wall and would benefit from an abdominoplasty.  You need an examination by a specialist in your area to confirm this.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Abdominal exercises will certainly improve your condition and strengthen your abdominal muscle so I urge you to continue with your exercise program.However strengthening your abdominal muscles will not tighten loose sagging abdominal skin.  Unfortunately a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is required to tighten the loose sagging pouch on your tummy.be sure to consult a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, who is experienced in tummy tuck surgery, and has a good reputation in your community.

My stomach sags like a pouch?

Answers (7)

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