This topic is about a person who is 17 months post-ileostomy and is noticing that their abdominal area is becoming larger and more flabby. They are reaching out to see if others have experienced similar changes. Here are some helpful pieces of advice and insights shared by others:

1. Strengthen the core: Engaging in regular abdominal and core exercises can help tighten the area. This is also a great way to prevent the development of an incisional or parastomal hernia.

2. Differentiate the cause:
- If the enlargement is due to overall weight gain, keeping a food diary can be useful to track intake and make necessary dietary adjustments.
- If you suspect a hernia, it’s important to contact your surgeon. They might recommend imaging tests like an MRI to confirm.

3. Understand post-surgical muscle weakness: It’s common for abdominal muscles to be weaker after surgery, especially if large or open incisions were made. This can result in a “jelly belly” or uneven “love handles,” even if there hasn’t been significant weight gain.

4. Consider the effects of weight changes: Rapid weight loss followed by some regain can lead to loose, flabby skin around the waist. This might appear uneven if more tissue was removed from one side during surgery.

5. Find reassurance: Many people have shared that experiencing abdominal flabbiness months or even years after an ileostomy or colostomy is common. They often view it as a small trade-off for the benefits of successful surgery and recovery.