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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Justbreathe
MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
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Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.
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Sincerely,
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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.
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