Really getting worried about weight gain

For the 6 years I had UC I had a slow but steady weight loss. For the first year after my ileostomy surgery, my weight stayed steady with only a few pounds gained. But now at 18 months post-op, I find myself 25 lbs
heavier with a slight rise in blood pressure. I can honestly blame some of it on the very long miserable winter we had up here in Minnesota and with me retired now, there was lots of time to eat my way through it and just hope come spring, it would all magically disappear.
I think part of the problem was that for so many years, I NEVER even worried about gaining weight though pre-UC I did have a weight problem. Now at 62 years old I find myself (I'm 5' 1") short and getting very round with a drawer full of jean I can't wear.
So I need help but mostly in the way of understanding what and if my l weight gain is in any way connected to my new plumbing. I am thinking about going to a Nutritional Weight and Wellnesss place but I fear they won't have the necessary understanding on ileo's to help me. And its very expensive too.
I've been all over the internet trying to fill in the blanks but it hasn't been much help so I'm turning to this board because only an ileostomite can really understand and would have had some of the same experiences.

So I guess my main concern is.....is it just me and all my pre-UC habits,or is my ileo a factor in my weight gain ????

The effect on metabolism of colectomy is really not well understood yet. I'd recommend trying the "old fashioned way"... Weight Watchers, etc. For most of us it works as intended. If it doesn't, then you might want to move on to more specialized/medical weight loss plans. But for now, keep it simple

I put on weight too, mainly because I could eat nachos, cake and ice cream again. Oh, and bacon, marvelous bacon!
Seriously though, the only thing to do is work out and eat less. At first I was going to a gym, then I changed to Insanity, and went through Insanity, part of Tap Out, Sports Asylum, Combat and part of T25. Now i go to a gym and LOVE the rowing machine. So I hit that for about 3 miles/20 minutes and do the weights and some other cardio. And I cut out the cokes. I still eat cake and bacon though :D
good luck!