weight

• By alan41241
• Reply 3302975
• August 19, 2012 at 8:37 am
• Report post

My weight has remained the same. Around 166# for well over a year other than when I was on Prednisone which caused me to gain a lot of water-weight. How much weight have you lost? That would be the first thing I would think of. If it's not all that much, I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise, it might be something you would want to talk to your ostomy nurse about.
Blessings,
Alan

• By mksmia
• Reply 3303145
• August 19, 2012 at 10:01 am
• Report post

I'm also new with an ileostomy and find that I am always hungry. Right after surgery I lost five lbs., and the WOCN was fine with that but anymore I needed to call surgeon. How much weight have you lost, and how do you feel? One other thing I am always exhausted which turned out to be B12 deficiency. So perhaps a phone call to nurse or doctor and some bloodwork wouldn't be a bad idea. I hope you get some answers, Karen

• By tjane
• Reply 3303475
• August 19, 2012 at 12:29 pm
• Report post

I have a colostomy for about 4 1/2 months. I lost close to 20 pounds at the time of my surgery and have gained 3 back. I have always been thin so not too worried about it. I also get B-12 shots one a month.

• By lilymyiley
• Reply 3303766
• August 19, 2012 at 2:37 pm
• Report post

Have you tried using a dietary supplement like Ensure or Boost? I can't stand them in the liquid form but Ensure comes in cans and you can put them in the freezer and then eat it like ice-cream. Yummy

• By jackieblue
• Reply 3303826
• August 19, 2012 at 2:56 pm
• Report post

I'm going on 15 years with my ileostomy.....at first my weight dropped because I stopped taking prednisone. then it levelled off......in the past five or so years I've dropped almost twenty pounds - I'm levelled off at 110 now. at 5'7" it's not really enough but everyone tells me how lucky I am that I eat and eat and don't gain weight.

anyway, what I wanted to say was that the weight is only a side effect of the fact that you're not getting the proper nutrition from what you take in. the reason for this is simple. when they take out the part of your body that absorbs calories (your large intestine) it takes some time - up to a year, I've heard - for your body to adjust and begin taking in calories in another way. if you think about it, it's kind of miraculous that our bodies can just adapt like that! anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about it. if you're not taking vitamin supplements then start. if you're still worried, talk to your doctor. but that's what I did and he told me pretty much what I just told you! good luck!!

• By debleerl
• Reply 3304151
• August 19, 2012 at 5:28 pm
• Report post

How much of your small intestine did you lose? It's the small intestine that absorbs nutrients and calories. The large intestine absorbs fluid and electrolytes, as well as the e-coli bacteria producing vitamins b12 and K. So if you lost any of your small intestine, you could be experiencing malnutrition and should be checked by your doctor. With my ileostomy, I only lost my colon (large intestine) so I gained weight and can't lose it no matter what I try. Part of the reason is I'm hungry every 2 - 3 hours as that is how long it takes me to pass food; my small intestine does it's job well absorbing all the calories, but without a colon nothing hangs around long enough to keep me from feeling hungry. I try to eat small/frequent meals but mostly snack on the wrong stuff since "healthy" foods contain to much roughage for me to pass.

• By sweetie3
• Reply 3304942
• August 19, 2012 at 11:57 pm
• Report post

I lost 20 pounds after surgery. As soon as i got home and started eating very often i started loosing, i noticed that every two weeks i would lose 1 or 2 ponds. They removed my entire colon so im guessing thats the big intestine. I been on prednisone for the past 2 years and im finally in a really low dose that i have never been able to get to because once i would get to 20mg of prednisone i would start to flare up. Because of the prednisone my weight had been going up n down. I feel fine Im not tired and i dont get tired. I have not started working out for the fear of hurting myself.

Thank u all for replying
I really appreciate it

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3305187
• August 20, 2012 at 4:49 am
• Report post

After my ileostomy I lost a lot of weight and remained pretty skinny until I finished Chemo. Since then I've been putting on weight and now make a concious effort to eat smaller portions. At my 6 monthly review the Oncologist asked if I had any problems. "Yes, I'm getting fat" He smiled broadly "Oh wonderful - that's great news" He the explained that as an oncologist he's happy when people put on a bit of weight.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3305400
• August 20, 2012 at 8:26 am
• Report post

I pretty much maintain the same weight - I am a solid 200 at 5'3" - have been told I don't look like I weigh that much. I don't eat as much as I used to, but do consume a lot of carbs with our (ileostomy) limited diet. i have been on a small daily dose (5 mg) of Prednisone for a couple of years because of polymyalgia rheumatica (similar to fibromyalgia, but affecting the joints rather than nerves) - doctor told me not to quit it or it might come back. It was crippling and I had to have help getting out of bed in the morning and my husband had to help dress me - the Prednisone gave me almost instant relief when we realized what it was. I also have Type II Diabetes (insulin controlled) further restricting my diet, along with lactose intolerance. Anyway, last week I had my 4-month checkup with my primary doctor and he said not to worry about losing any weight because my blood work, EKG, great blood pressure readings without any medication, show that I am perfectly healthy just as I am. At age 80 I don't fall, use a walker or wheel chair, and can still play golf, so "why worry - be happy"! God bless and hugs to all - Marge

• By alan41241
• Reply 3305585
• August 20, 2012 at 9:32 am
• Report post

Marge, you also don't look 80 years old if the picture is recent. I don't look that good at 71!
Blessings,
Alan

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3305876 · In reply to 3305585 by alan41241
• August 20, 2012 at 11:21 am
• Report post

Alan - That picture is only about 3 years old. I am most always taken for someone more your age or younger. I attribute my look to no wrinkles - my husband's (handsome to me!) face looks like a rut-filled dirt road - and he looked that way when I met him at 68. I think it's from all the olive oil I ate, living with an Italian mother. LOL Hugs - Marge

• By chris082
• Reply 3305903
• August 20, 2012 at 11:30 am
• Report post

I was on steroids for 6 months and chemo as well. I have actually lost almost 40 lbs since I got sick in December last year. I eat, but don't have the appetite I did before surgery. I have fought w/ my weight all my life and now it seems like the opposite is occurring.

• By debleerl
• Reply 3305984
• August 20, 2012 at 11:57 am
• Report post

Marge, you are truly and inspiration.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3306057
• August 20, 2012 at 12:24 pm
• Report post

Isn't she, Deb?
Blessings,
Alan

• By Joe-R
• Reply 3306633
• August 20, 2012 at 3:51 pm
• Report post

Hi,

Try drinking Ensure Plus, Vanilla ,
Chocolate, Butter Pecan,
Chocolate Malt,
or Strawberry flavors. Each bottle
contains 350 calories and is a meal
supplement or you can drink one
with a meal. It put the lbs, I lost on
me pretty quick! You can buy them
at any super market or drug store.

Also, 'Russian Bear Weight Gainer'
will definitely add needed weight!
Here is the web site:

http://www.russianbear5000.com/

God Bless,
Joey61

• By Joe-R
• Reply 3319005 · In reply to 3304942 by sweetie3
• August 24, 2012 at 8:45 pm
• Report post

Hi sweetie3,

Have you gained any weight since my reply to you?

God Bless,
Joe-R

• By Su-Z
• Reply 3320479
• August 25, 2012 at 12:57 pm
• Report post

Sure wish weight loss was my problem!! I lost 70 pounds with my surgery 11 years ago and gained a good portion of it back (and then some). With the resection, I lost 30 and managed to regain most of that! My PCP and oncologist want me to lose and it's a never ending battle for me. I'm on supplements and take Levothyroxine for slow thyroid. My biggest problem is that I multi task (switchboard phones by myself, fax notes & results, call patients with normals AND process all medical records releases by myself as well as various monthly reports that I process) and when I get home, I am totally brain dead! I don't want to do anything, let alone exercise and I really need to get motivated! I love food - especially ethnic foods! Indian, Thai, Hawaiian, Spanish (from Spain which is different from Hispanic or Mexican foods, which I also like), French, etc, etc. Now, I've got portions under control, but not good on the exercise. Supposed to get into the Y and join swim exercises, but $$$ are tight. (oh, we don't go out to restaurants - we cook our own ethnic foods. I lived in Hawaii for over 20 years and learned how to make alot of different foods and my Hubby is from Galicia Spain!) I'm not big on breads and love salads, but still like my pasta & rice dishes! Down 3 pounds since August 1st and trying to stick with the walking, rebounding (mini trampoline walking) and swimming, but not easy! I know weight loss is as bad as weight gain when it's excessive for one's health. (my vitamen B12 and all other vitamens and minerals are great. My cholesterol is wonderful! NO diabetes - just the weight and not losing!) Colostomy 11 years ago for very low tumor and resection 2 years ago for tubular adenoma. I've been fighting weight gain for 12 years now.

The advise everyone has given you is great, Sweetie!

Su-Z

• By vegastwo
• Reply 3320544
• August 25, 2012 at 1:24 pm
• Report post

Had my surgery on June 21 and my weight, when I checked out of the hospital, was 156. Couldn't eat much for about two weeks after discharge, my doctor said that is not uncommon. Since then my appetite has resumed full swing and my weight is currently 165. Prior to surgery my weight was 172. I eat three full meals a day without any dietary restrictions. I do lift weights twice a week and ride my bike twice a week for 26 miles each time. The bike rides includes a climb of about 2300 feet in four miles. These activities seem to stimulate my appetite.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3320974 · In reply to 3304942 by sweetie3
• August 25, 2012 at 4:46 pm
• Report post

sweetie3 - I had pain in all my joints about 3 years ago - doctors were mystified, and polymyalgia rheumatica turned out to be the cause. We have a health column in our local newspaper and I read the symptoms that mirrored mine and the Prednisone was the drug of choice. I Emailed my doctor and got him to call in a prescription for me, and I was on 20mg for quite a time, then 10mg, and now I am down to 5mg every morning. My primary doctor said not to stop it or my joints might swell up with it again.

I have not lost an ounce - maybe because of that. I also have Type II Diabetes, controlled by insulin, and now an ileostomy after a perforated colon last December. My doctor checks me every 4 months to make sure my kidneys and liver, etc. are OK. I had a physical just a couple of weeks ago and he told me not to worry about my weight - I am a solid 200 at 5'3". He said that my blood work and EKG show that I am perfectly healthy. I also do not take any kind of blood pressure medicine at age 80, and have had an echocardiogram and 2 stress tests within the last 3 years before unrelated surgeries, and passed all with flying colors.

Hugs from Marge

• By debleerl
• Reply 3323199
• August 26, 2012 at 4:12 pm
• Report post

Sweetie,

Your weight loss is most likely due to the reduction in prednisone. Some of the side effects are weight gain and bloating. You will probably continue to lose weight until you have been off of the prednisone completely for a few months. Then your weight should level off. As long as you are not tired, pale, or have dark circles under your eyes, you should be ok. If you lose too much weight check with your doctor. As I said before I have the opposite problem do to almost constantly being hungry. Wish there was a cure for that:)