A method, in a network element, for detecting and propagating resizability information of an Optical channel Data Unit flex (ODUflex) connection includes receiving resizability information in overhead associated with the ODUflex connection, wherein the resizability information indicates a number of available tributary slots and whether the ODUflex connection is symmetric; and adjusting the resizability information based on a change in the available tributary slots due to a bandwidth change at the network element. The systems and methods include a solution to communicate, in real time, the resizability information of an ODUflex connection utilizing the associated data path to carry it instead of the management/control plane.