Belly Button Movement After Ileostomy

I have an ileostomy since 2 months ago. Does anyone else's belly button go in and out? Male 42

My belly button completely disappeared down a hole in my belly. I thought it would re-emerge when the swelling went down, but it never did.

It's my son who is 42, has a stoma. His belly button moves in and out, and he is worried about it. He has had his stoma for 2 months now, so early days. Thank you.

Mazza, is your son's stoma near his belly button? The only thing I can think of is perhaps it's affected when his stoma protrudes and retracts, when it's active, and it causes the skin near his belly button to move, too.

Hi Eefyjig. His stoma is about 3 or 4 inches away. It moves slightly; it could be as you say when it's active. Thank you.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Ah, ok. I don't know much about hernias, but could he have an umbilical hernia? I think they push out and stay out, but maybe they retract, too.

Good idea! It might be a hernia.

Hernias do move with position changes. My parastomal hernia sticks out more when I stand than when I sit and will reduce completely when I lie down. I'd think they might also react to waste moving through the colon. (I haven't personally observed that, but I wear a belt now, so I might not notice).

Hello,

I have not heard of someone's belly button moving. My belly button was completely removed. Funny story, really! After being in the hospital for 8 months, I was released not knowing that it was gone until one day, while changing my appliance, I looked down and noticed it wasn't where I had last seen it. I really looked for it. Lol! All I saw was a huge scar. I called my daughter and expressed my concern; we both started laughing. It was such a shock, but at the same time, hilarious.

Thank you.

Thank you x

Yes, my whole stomach moves all the time like a bunch of waves. Sometimes I have mentioned it to doctors, but I am still waiting for the hospital appointment to come. It looks like I have a baby moving; it makes that much movement.

Thank you x

Thank you x

Hi there! I had to laugh when I read your post as I had exactly the same experience! I hadn't really thought about my belly button until one day when I was in the shower. I was washing gently around my operation scars when I suddenly thought, "Hey - wait a minute! Something doesn't look right." I got out of the shower and stood in front of a mirror and spent some time trying to figure out what was different. Suddenly, I realized that it was my belly button that was missing! I felt such an idiot! LOL! My husband asked why I was so bothered about a missing belly button when half of my insides were gone. Thanks for your post - I'm glad I'm not the only one who wouldn't win a prize for observation!

Thank you x