Losing weight on formula...

I'm on Isosource HN High Protein with Fiber, 6 cans per day (300 cals/can = 1800 cals/day)

(BTW, I know I'd talked about switching to a blenderized diet previously, but at the time I don't have the money to buy food, and the formula is provided to me for free, so...)

Because of complete cessation of eating ability due to a facial injury, I was at 105 lbs before the PEG was inserted. (My pre-injury weight was about 125 lbs) Once I was able to feed through the tube, I gained a little over 10 lbs back in a month or so, and was up to around 115-116 lbs. And in the last two weeks, bang, it's all dropping off again rather rapidly, with increasing speed. I'm down to 108 now, and I seem to literally be losing a pound every few days.

Talked to my dietician; she says it doesn't make sense since I'm taking in enough calories.

My BMR according to my weight/height/age/gender (108 lbs/5'4"/22/f) is about 1300 cals, and then, since I'm mostly sedentary at the moment until my stoma heals, my calorie intake requirements should only be around 1500 cals/day. Since I'm taking in 1800/day, I should actually be gaining, according to my dietician.

She says she's very reluctant to up the amount of cans I have per day, since I should already be getting more than enough. I don't know if this is more due to wanting to save the government money (I'm in Canada) than any true dietary advice.

Thoughts anyone? Anyone else experienced weight loss while on formula, even at a 'sufficient' calorie intake level?

By whos_your_dolly
Posted October 5, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Report post

I'd vote on the 'saving money' option
How about a milkshake or two till you can fight the powers that be to give you what you NEED

By Novagrad
Posted October 6, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Report post

Maybe you have a problem with absorption. I have malabsorption and still have trouble absorbing all of my tube feeds, even though I'm on a higher rate than I "need" to be on. Because of this higher rate, I have to feed 24 hours per day since I can't tolerate the very high rate that I would need if I were to go 12 hours per day.

Mimi

By dreamlady1931
Posted October 6, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Report post

Fluids ok? I have malabsorption issues: that can account for a loss of 1-3 pounds a day.
Change in the temperature of your home? Using more calories to stay warm?

Good luck with this

By jackrabbit
Posted October 7, 2009 at 12:56 am
Report post

Well, I don't know why I'd have malabsorption since the tube is in due to a facial injury and not any sort of digestive issues... but I could always check with a doc anyway.

About fluids - no, I'm REALLY struggling to get in enough water on top of all the formula; it just makes me too sick to have so much in my stomach. I could see a certain level of dehydration counting for maybe a couple of the pounds lost, but I don't see how it would factor into the continuous weight loss.

I have to keep my room hot to the point of sweating to keep my face warm enough - the damaged nerves are hypersensitive to cold. So I'm losing water through sweating, but I don't think I'm having to burn any extra calories to stay warm, that's for sure!

I do cook or help with a little cleaning occasionally but I don't think that's enough to drive up my calorie intake needs significantly.

We'll see if my weight stabilizes at 108 or if it keeps dropping.

By Juhint
Posted October 7, 2009 at 3:18 am
Report post

Hi Jackrabbit!

I am sorry you are having so many problems. I wanted to tell you that I admire you for your strength and determination. I can only imagine how difficult the transition must be for you going from being able to eat by mouth to being tube-fed on top of having to deal with your facial energy. You rock girl!

Regarding your weight loss: a basic metabolic rate calculated just according to your weight is never going to be accurate, I think you once posted that you used to be very active - you will most likely have quite a bit of muscle mass and muscle mass uses up more energy. Besides that BMR does not take account for any genetic factors.

My suggestion would be - go with your feeling - I am sure you didn't used to count calories before your injury - you probably ate what your body told you to eat. Maybe 1800 kcal is just too low for you.

My fiance is a nutritionist and he keeps saying that a body works like this: if you put in more than you need, you will gain weight; if you put in less than you need, you will lose weight. If you are losing weight on 1800 kcals a day than this is the best indicator for you needing more than 1800 kcals, no matter what your calculated BMR is.

If your dietician is not willing to prescribe you more formula, why not go with the suggestions above and whip up a couple milk shakes a day and add it to your intake.

Just listen to your body!
Take care,
Julia

By Sanford
Posted October 7, 2009 at 7:25 am
Report post

Any excuse for a milkshake is okay by me. First of all, I would talk to all of my doctors, nut just the dietician about this. All of the doctors have different pieces of the puzzle, and may have ideas about what's causing the weight loss, and better to see someone and have it be nothing than to see no one and have it be something.

As a way of upping the calories, though, you might be able to melt some ice cream and add it to the formula to pump up the calories. It seems like a waste of perfectly good ice cram that I could be eating (and feel free to send some over here), but it might help you pack on some weight.

By jackrabbit
Posted October 7, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Report post

Well... won't be able to see a doc till next week bcuz that's the only time anyone's available to drive me.
(No, can't afford a taxi or the bus, and traveling is a huge production - I have to have my face completely encased to protect it from the cold and have to be led around like a blind person until I'm indoors and can just wear my regular mask.)

Anyway, talked to my dietician again, so she's finally increasing my cals to 2100 and switching me to a different formula which is made from chicken, peas, carrots, and cranberries instead of corn syrup and canola oil! (YAY!)

Thanks all for the milkshake/icecream ideas; however, I have NO income and CANNOT afford food, which is why I am on the canned stuff in the first place and not a homemade blenderized diet.

By dreamlady1931
Posted October 7, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Report post

Wow! You have a lot of challenges in your life right now! I'm glad you're able to get some extra calories now. I'm glad you can get to see a doctor too--it must be hard to be so dependent on others. I'm afraid that i have a very hard time being dependent so i admire your ability to do what it takes

I hope you'll keep us posted on how you're doing!
Many good wishes to you!
Mary

By Juhint
Posted October 8, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Report post

Hi Jackrabbit!
I am so glad you got to talk your dietician and she upped your calories!
I have heard about the "real food" formula - I am pretty sure it will feel differently in your stomach and you probably will have less of the "tube feeding nausea" - you know the one, you get because you tube-feed caloriedense formula too quickly. :-)
Plus maybe "burping up" real food formula is not as disgusting as regular formula.
Unfortunately I have to stick to the "canola oil, mct fat and corn syrup solid"-stuff - but I am really happy for you! Good for you for standing up for yourself and speaking out about your needs to your dietician! Way to go!
Sending you lots of strength for today,
Julia

By cccquilter
Posted October 12, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Report post

So glad you are being switched to a more "real foods" formula. I think it will make a difference to you. Also, if you can get your hands on some digestive enzymes, specifically amylase, which is one that mixes with food in your mouth, it might help. I know it helped DH to absorb his food; he did crappy on formula and now is on the blended diet. He uses water kefir to aid digestion along with the digestive enzymes also, and it has helped enormously.

By cccquilter
Posted October 13, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Report post

I would like to add that DH also makes home made sauerkraut, which is rich in probiotics. He liquifies it and puts in his tube. He is starting back to truck driving next week, and just made a huge batch of sauerkraut for the road. It is cheap and easy to make. The canned stuff isn't made the same way and is pastuerized, killing the probiotics. Also check out rejuvelac (Google it) - it is also easy to make and rich in probiotics. DH gets a 25 lb. bag of wheat berries from whole foods (you can get them from any HFS that will order for you. We sprout the wheat and grind it for grain also. Sprouts would be excellent sources of protein and micronutrients for you and are not expensive and very easy to grow yourself with a quart mason jar and screen top. They liquify easily in a Vita-mix and should do quite well with the Magic Bullet also. Just some food for thought. Seeds for sprouting can be found at any HFS or gotton online.

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this discussion:

15 replies

Add to the discussion

Helpful links from the Oley Foundation

Group leaders

You