I had my reversal and hernia repair done 24 months ago. I now have what I call a buda tummy. Where the stoma was is now healed, but still red, probably due to the fact that its at my waist. While the incision is a little lighter than before, its still quite visible. I can't loose the tummy. I've been doing Weight Watchers since January but only managed to loose 10 lbs. I do 2 to 3 miles on the treadmill at 3 to 3.5mph daily and have been going to a trainer for 3 weeks now. Nothing, no change. The area above my waist is what bothers me. I almost look pregnant, ok, I DO LOOK PREGNANT. I'm at the same weight I was prior to the first surgery, but my body seems to have changed. Does anyone have the same problem areas after their reversal? Because of the problems I had between the 2 surgeries, and there were many including a hernia, could that be delaying my loosing the FAT. I'd love some input HELP!
Since nobody has replied, I'll give you my 2¢. Keep in mind I'm not a dietitian or weight loss expert...
As part of your Weight Watchers or otherwise, have you ever kept a food journal to help track how many calories you are eating/drinking? If you are consuming more than 1,500 calories per day, at your activiy levels, losing weight will be tough.
The frustration with being at your pre-surgery weight but now having a "buddha tummy" is understandable and maybe the result of a loss of muscle mass while recovering from surgery offset by an increase in fat. Muscle atrophies more quckly than you think, and you have to work harder to get it back. Hopefully the trainer is working with you on this, but it will take time. I wouldn't expect any results in three weeks. A good trainer is going to treat you with kid gloves given your medical history. Slow and steady will be the keys to your success. There are no shortcuts.
I've been told you need to burn 3,200-3,500 calories more than you consume to lose one pound of weight. As I think about it more, the food journal would be a good idea. I kept one as I was trying to gain weight back after chemo. It was eye opening.
Good luck,
Dave
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Thank you for your quick reply. I'll discuss irrigation with my doctor. I'm sure it would be down the road. My output is still very liquid. It's all so unpredictable at 6 weeks post-op. I have such a fear of constipation as I struggled with this forever. I used a fiber source to thicken the stool but it hasn't helped very much. I guess I will continue to be positive but it is a bit of a pain. This website is great and everyone is so informative. Cheryl
Welcome to the Buddha belly club. As we get older the body stores our fat around the stoma. That is a common occurance with an ostomy. So my doctor said. U can work some of that off your tummy, give it time. Good Luck, Dan Duggan, Troy, Mi.
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Oh great.....one more exciting and wonderful thing from this ever-so exciting surgery. :) That must be what this is. I thought it was a hernia and doc said no, but couldn't tell me what it was. Did you ever notice, doctors can immediately tell you what something isn't but they can never tell you what something is without a million tests? Thanks for the happy news Dan.