Achieving a Flat Belly with a Stoma - Tips and Concerns

Is it possible to have a flat belly with my stoma? I work out a lot but still don't have a flat belly. I am lifting a lot of weight now. I wonder how much weight is okay and wouldn't hurt my stoma!

Hi Moona, I think it would probably be best to speak to your stoma nurse about how much weight would be okay for you. I expect it's different for everyone. But I wouldn't worry about how your stomach looks too much; mine looks like a mountain range at the moment!! Ha ha. Hope all is well for you. Sophie x

You must be very careful that you do not get a hernia. I would definitely talk to your dr or stoma nurse to get advice. I did too much while I had my stoma and they had to repair 3 hernias along with my reversal.

Definitely talk to your stoma nurse. I have no flat belly, but I was lifting too much and got 2 hernias out of it. Now my belly isn't so flat. xxx Take care. ..xx MoozaXX

Don't we all want a flat belly, but years of surgery, as you would know, Mooza, like the both of us, have many scars. I would jeopardize lifting to get hernias. I do crunches and gentle exercise. Lol, hernias I can do without. I'm stuck with my bulge, but I'm living. Lol, take care, Ambies.

How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

You should really be wearing some support for any exercise with a stoma. Check out Comfizz.com for a range of great looking support wear, they do a selection of different levels.

I never lifted much after my operation and developed a hernia very easily, definitely need to watch out for that.

Like others said, DEF ck w/your docs but it is absolutely possible. You'll just end up with a 5-pack instead of six, lol. Slow, steady, consistent work and a sound diet will get you there.

Yes Ambies, but I did pay the price for lifting. Still, it would be nice to have a flat belly, but I like beer too, LOL.

Hey Mooza, I wish I could eat nuts like you, lol. I'm afraid I have to be happy with my tum. I do exercises, eat small meals, and don't eat after six if I can help it, but there's always that bar of chocolate lurking in my fridge, lol. But then it's back on the treadmill for my sins, lol. TC Mooza and everyone... Ambies

Thanks for all your advice. I asked the stoma nurse what type of workout I should do; her answer was whatever you are comfortable with. LOL, the heaviest weight for me is 15 lb. Also, when I just came out of the hospital right after my surgery, my doctor told me not to lift more than 20 pounds. Since last year, I gained weight and I can't wear any of my dresses or my jacket doesn't close... hahah...

I have tried CrossFit for one month. It was a very hard workout. I could do it, but I was scared about getting a hernia, so I stopped going there. What is a stoma doctor? Is it the surgeon?

My stomach is flat on the right side, but pretty puffy on the left. My surgery was an emergency, so the abdominal muscle was cut vertically to pop open the muscle. Think of how a rubber band would be if you cut it from top to bottom... totally dysfunctional.

What has helped me flatten my stomach is to do isometrics at night as I do my deep breathing. I tighten my belly and hold for the count of 10. I've noticed a real difference in how my jeans fit. Give it a try. I've been doing it nightly for about 3 months now.

Moonshine mine the same. I have noticed one side smaller than the other.!! Redhiar, that is a good idea, and I am sure it's even good for your breathing. I will try that from now on.

Hi there Noona, you are a classic beauty, Noona, spectacular! I think you definitely look Irish. I'm skinny, but it's still hard to get the belly flat. I've decided to get a rowing machine. Lifting weights will not really work your belly... as far as I know, plus the risk of hernia. The rowing machine, like swimming, works everything. Swimming is really good.
Magoo

It is so weird, when they cut you straight down the middle from stem to stern, nothing lays right after that. Humph! But I am so thankful to be alive. :-)

Focus on the positive things about yourself... I started blinging out my bag with stick-on rhinestones... and as far as my belly... well, I have a gully that not only could you do belly shots off of, but you could fit a fifth of a bottle!

Three Secrets to a Flat Belly: Swim, swim, and swim. Guaranteed to work. Use Micropore surgical tape around your wafer (lots of it) and swim laps, as many laps as you can do, several times a week! All the best, Magoo.

unfortunately I have hernias after my reversal in 2012 so I am limited as to what I can do, but I do walk 2 miles 3-6 times a week!

Long time I was away from this site. Swimming is great since it has low impact. I think not sleeping well at night is the key also to losing weight. So far I haven't experienced Herena. I still want to have a flat Tommy, but as long as I am healthy, I don't care much about a flat stomach. I am almost there. I recently ran a 10-mile race and I am proud of myself. I have 30 pounds to lose. I will keep you all posted and thanks for all the replies.

Congratulations and keep up the great work. I have severe nerve damage, so I'm finding it intolerable to do anything, but as it's getting warmer in Australia, I think I might try to take up swimming. :)

Just love the seawater but don't like getting any sunburn; it makes my skin crawl even looking at burnt skin.

Hey Mooza, what are you up to these days? Missing you, girl. xx️