I had my colostomy almost three years ago. Lately I've noticed that my belly, particularly my lower belly is bulging. I haven't gained any weight, so I was wondering whether the cause might be something I am eating or the fact that I take loperamide to slow down my digestion. What do you think? Is this something I should be concerned about? (I also wondered if maybe the cause is weak stomach muscles--I am 83 and not as strong as I used to be.)
annofsd
Mar 01, 2016 2:20 am
Bill
Mar 01, 2016 6:54 am
Hello annofsd.
I was told by the stoma nurse that it was weak stomach muscles. The muscles get damaged when they operate and have difficult recovering because if I was to get back to the sort of exercise I used to do I would undoubtedly get a HERNIA. ( I could have done with this advice BEFORE I got the hernia!!)
She advised that I wear a hernia belt which I have done ever since. The enlarged stomach has not gone away but as I get older I don't worry about these sorts of things.
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Posted by: Primeboy
Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB
annofsd
Mar 01, 2016 4:45 pm
Thanks, Bill, for your very helpful information. It makes sense that weak stomach muscles are causing the bulging belly. I will not worry about it any more.
Best wishes to you.
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Past Member
Mar 01, 2016 11:53 pm
i had the same thing happen got a hernia belt and it made all the difference in the world and if i don t wear it i can feel the difference in my belly
kbd
Mar 11, 2016 5:19 pm
I notice when my bowel is acting up it swells more in that area, making it bulge. It could just be that. I have pretty much worn a hernia belt from the start, I like that it supports the area and so far no hernia.
Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
