Belly button ring, I'm getting fat

I've had a belly button ring for 4 years and it has always been healthy, never infected, and never given me problems. Recently I've been gaining weight in my tummy and the bottom hole of my belly button has started to stretch a bit. I can see that the hole may be starting to rip and every once in a while I feel a sharp little pinch feeling.

I LOVE my belly button ring and I don't want to take it out. This has really encouraged me to start eating better, working out and losing weight. What can I do for now to keep my belly button from getting infected? I don't want to make it worse. Will it heal? Are there any remedies?