Weight Gain After Resection?

Hello Myrne.

It is normal to gain some weight after a resection. That's mainly because people are generally so sick before the resection that they can barely eat, and after the surgery (if it goes well) they regain their appetite. But 25-30 pounds sounds excessive. I doubt that is all water, but forget the scale and take a quick look in the mirror - that should tell you where the weight is going. I see no value in taking a diuretic, and indeed it can make you dehydrated which can lead to other problems (ie kidney stones).

One unfortunate thing about human anatomy is that we tend to gain weight as we age. There isn't much that can be done about it other than the old techniques of diet and exercise, though some people take more radical measures like bariatric surgery and liposuction.

All things considered, Crohn's does have the "benefit" of keeping your weight down, at least compared to what it would be if you didn't have Crohn's. Bowel resections also tend to make it a little harder to gain weight because the shorter intestine absorbs less nutrients, but it takes a pretty major resection (like maybe half of the intestine removed) to make you skinny for life not matter what you eat. So the three feet of intestine removed isn't going to perform magic - you still have to watch your weight like "normal" people do.

One thing you haven't mentioned - are you taking any medications that could cause weight gain? Steroids are particularly notorious. Ditto for anti-depressants. Hopefully you don't need either.

It is common to have a lot of diarrhea after a resection, though it should diminish with time. The best you can do about it is to take drugs like Imodium and biѕmuth.

Hello Myrne,

After my surgery I had been taking Questran (Cholestyramine) to absorb excess bile that is a cause of diarrhea after such a surgery.
Drugs & Medications- Questran Oral www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3334-Questran+Oral.aspx?drugid=3334

I gained a tremendous amount of weight after my surgery but it had been much needed weight after being so ill. I went from about 185 pounds ( 6'1") down to 135. I simply couldn't eat and had an obstruction for at least a year. Desperately needed surgery. I took Questran for a year and it helped me a lot with the diarrhea yet I had still been more normal with bowel movements.
Something you may want to discuss with your physician until your stomach/intestines become more accustomed to having less to work with.
I also got into an exercise regiment and watched what I ate, which helped me maintain a specific weight. Now I weigh 205 @ 6'1".
I hope this helps and hope you're feeling better, very soon!

140 doesn't sound overweight for 5'6". In fact it works out at a BMI of 22.

I'd argue in fact that 125-30lb would be the unhealthier weight at your height. Few people are naturally skinny and those who are tend to eat like a horse without gaining. If you have to semi starve yourself to maintain a skinny weight, you are not a naturally skinny person.

NCOT - You are probably right, but I just feel better at a lower weight, not 110 lbs, but I like 120. Maybe this is weird, I don't know, and maybe it's from being used to eating whatever I want and staying skinny because of my Crohn's. My parents and sister are all tall and thin, but they all work out and eat healthy, I don't think they would be thin if they ate junk and sat around all day, but who knows - I don't think I am a "naturally" skinny person. I really just want to be healthy and I've been sick for so long I don't even know what that looks like anymore.

Question Everything - I'm glad you're feeling well and able to get out and walk that much! My GI would definitely not approve me going off Crohn's meds, I am his most severe Crohn's patient and make him very nervous at times, haha. I also need the Cimzia for Rheumatoid Arthritis - my joints are actually giving me more trouble right now than my gut. If it's not one thing . . .

Myrne said...
Thanks Datawraith! I definitely needed to gain some weight as well, I am 5'6" and was down to 110 lbs around my surgery - I am just surprised by how MUCH I'm gaining. In general, a healthy weight for me is 125-130 and now I am close to 140, which is probably the heaviest I've ever been, eek! I have started exercising some and watching what I eat, so hopefully things will get back to my normal weight.

I have tried Questran, but didn't find it too helpful. I may try again though. I am taking Lomotil every now and then, which does help, so I save it for specific outings or vacations. When did you have your surgery? Did they have to remove a lot? Are you still feelings better? I was on TPN and various daily pain meds leading up to my surgery, so even with the D I am still feeling much better. I hope it stays this way!

Hello Myrne,

I believe that your exercising will be beneficial for you all around, mentally, physically and emotionally. It will take some time to build up your endurance and reap the benefits of exercising, just remember that. I know people get frustrated rather easily when they're not seeing or feeling the results they want to see in a week.

Do you feel as though you had taken Questran long enough for it to help you out? It took a few weeks, a month for it to help me out.
I had my surgery in 1996 where the surgeons removed 17" of my small intestine, it was shown to have returned in 2012. The surgery was the best thing to ever happen to me, I felt like a new person.

I'm sure the Crohn's returned a few years earlier than 2012 but that had been the first visit to a GI in all those years.
I, like Question Everything, didn't take any meds for that whole time and continue, right now with no meds. My last visit with a GI a couple of years ago, he wanted to skip Humira and put me on Remicade. Thanks but no thanks.
I simply cannot see taking one medication to "help" with a disease to possibly cause one to many other problems, such as cancer. I view it as, since when is it OK to give people meds (a biologic in this case) that has the potential to cause death? They say the risk is minimal but there's a risk nevertheless.
I also feel that rather than find us a cure, we're made to be customers. Big pharma is in it for the money, they're businesses after all.
I know that may seem to come across as a negative view, it is and this coming from an eternal optimist but I'm also a realist. I've had the disease for 40 years now, been through a lot when it comes to the disease, been promised a lot too.
I am very glad to hear that you're feeling better, I too hope it stays that way.