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.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,411 members.
“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”
“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”
“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”
Posted by: mild_mannered_super_hero
Hello and welcome to meet an ostomate. The site charges a fee only for Full Membership, you can still interact with members here via the forums and the public chat room with free membership. The site charges a fee since it has expenses ... as do all websites, people have to spend their time to run and maintain the site, buy bandwith, servers, and other things. I am a life member here, it cost me 56$....about the price of 1 cup of coffee a week for a year. I think that is a very small charge for such a big reward. In my opinion this site is the best ostomy-related web site on the net. I hope you will stick around awhile and see for yourself. I do not own or am I in any manner connected to this site except as a member. regards. mmsh
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. 😉
Advertisement
Hollister
A convex ostomy skin barrier can help prevent output leakage and skin issues. Unfortunately, some misconceptions about convexity may keep people with ostomies from using it.
Learn about convexity and 4 myths surrounding it.
Learn about convexity and 4 myths surrounding it.
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.
Tips on Hernia Prevention with Collin | Hollister
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.