body fat / scar tissue from abdominal insulin injections

[bkleinhe]

I found a post from a kid on this forum who had the same problem I describe below, no one really answered his question so I thought I would try again.

I am 35, but from about age 16-25 I would rotate my injections very well, but the abdomen was the easiest since I was in sports, etc..   I noticed what for most would appear to be a slight "belly" ridge forming and stopped giving injections completely in my abdomen.  My endocrinologist said after 2-3 years it would dissipate, well it's been 10 years now and it hasn't dissipated.

But I've never really tried to get my body fat down to maybe 8-9% where it would be feasible to have my body attack it.  I am 6'1" tall and 190lbs.  I've lost 5 lbs in the past 3 weeks and now have a 15.5% body fat, I am going to get down to 8-9% and see if the belly deposits simply stick out more as I get skinnier or if they too are reduced.

If they don't go away through a rigorous daily exercise and a reduced calorie diet, then I am going to see a specialist to see if it's possible to liposuction the scar tissue out of there...call me a narcissist but it bugs me!

I am finding it very difficult to find any information on this problem or ways to correct it!!  Help!

Brent

[mosesmoe1477]

Hello ,Moniquecoetzer  my name is moe i've been a diabetic since i was 11yrs old,and im now 42yrs old. listen you have to do sit ups ,about 25-50 every three days,then you will have to sit in warm bath for about 30 minutes each time, you will notice insulin scaring and bulges will reduce,even better sugar readings, warm water baths  help your body to take in insulin left in those fatty deposites in the scared tissues,and the situps help to exspand the tissues to release them out of your abdominal into your bloodstream,also try coco butter to help tone the spots  of skin .pretty simple right... ***@****

[ASJ929]

Same issue here!  I am a Kickboxing instructor, Personal Trainer and its embarrassing that I can't lose my belly ridge.  I do the Visalus 90 Day Challenge every 90 days to stay on a low carb/higher protein diet and eat 5 times a day as healthy as I can get it.   It won't go away.  Liposuction may be my only hope at this point when I can afford it.  It ***** that I found this career in my late 30's.. have a better body and am in better health than I have ever been in  but that stupid belly ridge just plane *****.

[ShelbyBPhill]

Ive been diabetic for 12 years. The Ridge is from built up scar tissue which can be from pump sites or insulin shots. It builds up because of a reaction that your middle layer of skins has when it is "injured" by the shots or sites. The scar tissue , even though everyone says "rotate sites" , is going to show up eventually no matter what you do. all the rotation in the world cant stop the fact that you will still need the medicine some how. ive seen a lot about massages and working out, but no one seems to confirm that its had any results. ive been considering the liposuction idea because it is not only unsightly and makes me insecure, but sometimes causes a pain. i don't know about anyone else but it does frustrate me that something that technically effects EVERY diabetic has not been researched enough to give us any answers. Sorry that i cant help more.

[Karen3201]

Hi

My husband as been insulin dependent for 10 years now. The large lump on his stomach was so big that it was interfering with his workouts etc. At his last appointment at the diabetic clinic he was told that the build up was due to the silicon within the insulin. Although a very small percentage, it can build up over time. He was offered liposuction to get rid of it. Although he hasn't taken them up on the offer at least he knows it's an option if it doesn't eventually break down on it's own. Apparently it will - but it takes a long time.

Karen

[Kur_bee]

Hi there guys!
I am also a diabetic. I am 24 and have had T1 since I was 3 so it's now been 21 years. I have the same tummy problem and am EXTREMELY self conscious of this. I am otherwise fit and healthy, I work out 5 days a week, my diet is good. I'm 57kg and 164cm. I have been on an insulin pump for 3 years but previous to that I was on 4 injections a day. Since having the pump, I do not put the canula in the bottom half of my stomach where the 2 big lumps are and three years down the track the lumps are still there. I'm at the point where I would love to get surgery for it but cannot afford this avenue at all!! All I wanna do is wear a bikini down the beach and be proud of my body. The rest of my body is great but my stomach is a never ending battle. I feel the same as all of you. Wish we had answers....

[Moniquecoetzer]

Hi there, i am 16year old and i have hade Daibetes since i was 6years of age. I also have the problim with the tummy, but when people walk past they think am pregnent, and it really gets to me know! i take from 4 to 10 injections a day. depending on how hi my suger is and now i have this scar tissue. i have gone to my GP and she said she will find out for me but i have still got no answer. i weigh 64kg and am 1.75m tall. i would really love for someone to have a solution to this scar tissue.

From: Monique

[fettuccine]

i heard of the insulin port available now that required only one poke every 3 day and all the inslin shots will go through the port whenever you need to give a shot.  and also inslin inhaler, which works as good as insulin shots.  although it is more expensive, it probably will help with this issue.  check with your physician if they are suetable to your case.

[CCmamalisa]

My 14 year old daughter has been T1 since age 11.  She too has the belly ridge.  She's now been pumping for a year & a half.  She was getting the 'ridge' before the pump, and we haven't noticed that the pump has made much difference better or worse.  She is very self concious about it though.  Other than being a reasonably active kid, she isn't much for additional exercise, though she's getting more so lately because of the belly ridge.  I have a friend who recently got an ab-lounger, and is getting great results from it, and I talked to my daughter & she said she wants to try it.  I'm going to get her one.  I also have a friend who's been T1 for 20+ years, and she recently got a tummy tuck to help with it, though it's not a permanent fix by any means.  It also didn't take away scarring...just the ridge.  She looks great, but it was a surgical procedure, so you have the risks that go along with that.  I guess my advice would be the same as for my daughter....work those abs...even if you can't get rid of it all, at least you can get rid of some of it, and the abs underneath will be rock hard;o).  I'm going to do the workouts with her & we can coach each other...it'll be good for both of us.  Just keep your bodies in otherwise good health, and the rest will take care of itself to some extent.  A lot of people have a belly ridge....diabetic or not...myself included, so I think just general abdominal fitness routines will at least help.  Just my 2 cents as a Mom;o)

[SweetLiberty]

I have been diabetic for 19 years and just recently starting using an insulin pump.  I rotate the pump connection site every three days from left side to right side of my abdomen area.  Not only am I getting dark blemishes where the canula is inserted.  I have also developed little bulges on each side.  This reason alone makes me think about returning to the old method of needle injections.  It has just be a year and a half of use with the insulin pump and I fear what my body will look like in just five years.  Are there any remedies available to stop the blemishes and the bulges from continued site injections?

[t]

Hello! I am a 24 year old diabetic and I have had diabetes for 16 years. I too have had Extra fat it looks like on my stomach. I am 5'7 and I weigh 124lbs. I am so uncomfortable with myself just because of that scar tissue. I was thinking about getting a tummy tuck or something to remove the unwanted fat there. I am out of answers, but I wanted you to know that you are not the only one. Sorry I couldn't help you out, but if you find anything out please let me know.

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hello, Brent.  I'm not a medical professional, and I'm not a fitness expert, just the parent of a kid with diabetes.  My question is this:  what is the possibility that the fat is from scar tissue under your skin?