Post ileostomy x17 mo. Doing well!!! But a question—abdominal area seems to be getting bigger and more flabby. Has anyone else noticed this? Overall, I'm doing well and very thankful for that.
Kimy
Aug 16, 2025 2:55 pm
Ben38
Aug 16, 2025 3:48 pm
Core exercises should help, and it's the best thing we can do in the fight against hernias. Bigger could possibly be a hernia or just diet-related.
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Posted by: Bagface
Angelica- As usual, you've written another interesting post. February 5th, 2019, was my reversal surgery after having an ileo for 6 months. I'm one of those fortunate success stories. Of course, things are different now, and I still have to be careful about what and how much I eat, as I don't have a colon. At first, I was afraid to leave the house. My biggest fear was having to use a public bathroom and have the toilet not flush! Even now, when I know that I'll be in someone else's home, I won't eat anything beforehand. I read other people's stories and sometimes feel guilty for having had it so easy, not to mention that I have a significant other who is 100 percent supportive. I've gotten so much out of this website and truly feel for those of you who have it so much worse than I. But I feel it necessary to let folks hear about the success stories.
Beachboy
Aug 16, 2025 4:29 pm
I'm at 2 years, 9 months after getting a colostomy. Lost 66 pounds during my medical adventure. Arrived home from the hospital weighing the same as when I was a sophomore in high school.
Slowly gained back 30 pounds and maintained that. I'm really skinny. Had to buy new clothes. Went from a size 36 waist to a 31. All good... right? Except I've developed a flabby waist. I look like a muffin top when wearing just pants. Didn't have any flab before surgery. My new "love handles" are uneven... lopsided.
But, so what. I avoided dying by the grace of God and a skilled surgeon. Yes... I will have another slice of chocolate cake. 😉
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NikkiD
Aug 17, 2025 12:00 am
Hi, I got my ileostomy on April 25th and lost more than 40 lbs from the first of April until I came home from the hospital on May 22. I weighed less than 100 pounds when I came home, but I have managed to gain 9 lbs. I still have a way to go to look healthy and fit. I'm not sure what my belly looks like because I still have an open surgical wound and the dressing covers most of my abdomen. What I can see does look flabby, but it may be loose skin from the weight loss.
I'm glad you are doing well and wish you the best.
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infinitycastle52777
Aug 17, 2025 2:30 pm
Do you think you have a hernia, or are you gaining weight? If you are gaining weight, just be mindful of what you are eating. Keep a food diary if you need to be mindful of what you are eating and how much. If you think you have a hernia, contact your doctor. You might need an MRI to confirm a hernia. I am glad; otherwise, you are doing well.