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Life after total colectomy surgery

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Posted 1/7/2008 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hello there! This is just a question that ive been avoiding since my surgery 8 years ago. Ive always been on the slim side. I want to know if anyone has suggestions on gaining weight. I can only eat so much at a time. But when I over do it, I cant really do anything cause im so full and it feels like i have to the bathroom. It affects my job. So again, if anyone has any advice. Let me know. Thanks
Posted 1/7/2008 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
How bout eating small meals or snacks throughout the day so you don't get too full right away. Ensure is a good addition for nutrients and calories. I too have problems gaining weight no matter how much I eat!

I have had strangers say rude things to me since I dropped weight after my last UC flare and I would love to tell them the whole story to shut them up! I would love to tell them that only an idiot would say something to an overweight person about their weight, so why would you do that to a thin person who can't gain weight. It's not a jealous look, it's more of a disgusted look and has lowered my self esteem quite a bit. I want to wear a sign that says: I'm not an anorexic and I do eat. I wish that Oprah would do a show on this so that people would think before they speak. Haven't we learned that everyone has self esteem issues, not just those who are overweight. And those of us who have had to suffer with the effects of CD and UC have been through enough already.
Posted 1/8/2008 12:49 AM (GMT 0)

tbraz --- well said!!!   I too have always been really thin.  Any bout with flu and I would drop 5-10 pounds in a heartbeat on top of being too thin already.  After having my ileo for so long, I finally starting gaining weight after recovering from a "bug" in Oct of 2006.  I have gained 25 pounds since that illness.  I have changed my diet some tho so that might have helped as well.   I eliminated carbonated drinks, eliminated really spicy foods (which I love), eliminated almost all caffeine (except chocolate!) and initially really watched my sugar intake tho if I wanted something I ate it.   I did have a gastric ulcer and now that is also healed.  And I eat lots of carbs - breads, potatoes, pasta.  And I try to eat my meals slowly, yea I confess - usually while watching tv for my supper meal.  I don't get that full feeling quite as quickly that way.  And one more thing, even tho we are suppose to drink, drink, drink --- depending on what I am eating, I may not drink as much while I am eating to keep from getting that full feeling so quickly.  BUT, I say with a lot of emphasis, it depends on what I am eating as to how much I drink WITH my meal!!!!

I don't know if this change in my diet was the reason I gained weight finally but I do know that I went many, many years bouncing from a Size 2 to barely a Size 4.  And now I am a Size 6-8.  I am happy with that, but if I gain more, I would be happy with that as well.  BTW I am 5'5" with long legs so I really looked underweight before I gained a few pounds.

Good luck in your weight gain.  I feel your pain!  I always hated it when I was called "Skinny".  Thin was a little more acceptable.   

Posted 1/8/2008 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
With my last flare I had dropped to 90lbs (I am 5"6') and have finally gotten myself up to 112lbs. Normally I am about 120 and would love to get up to 125-130 but even when I wasn't sick I couldn't gain weight. I remember they did some test on me in the hospital and they said that I burn more calories lying down that most people do walking (of course I was in my 20's at the time and now I'm 41, you would think that things would slow down) I am also one of those people who can't sit still for very long and am always doing something. I just hope after this next surgery I don't lose more weight. I know I will have to watch what I eat and gradually add more foods back slowly, but I love pastas and rice and breads, so that should help.
Posted 1/8/2008 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
well this is the best way to gain weight, get a milkshake from McDonalds every day, Cadbury cream eggs are out now, eat at least three a day, also lots of cheese, and some chips and lots of tartar sauce and soda! Or at least that worked for me, and it worked too well!
Ok i am just joking don't really do that, lol.
But try adding some things in like sweet potatoes and some juices. I don't care what anyone says, I don't think that carbs put weight on you, if you look at people from fifty years ago who ate carbs constantly, bread or rice at every meal, and none of them were overweight, but that's just random there. Maybe some peanut butter, which has good fat in it. And cheese, which is good for you, but will add calories, maybe put it over some veggies. things like that, that's my only advice.
Posted 1/8/2008 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
tbraz, I also just got an ileostomy on Dec. 18th of 07. Im doing great i feel wonderful I also was told I had CD but turns out UC only. I spent 10 days in Cleveland Hospital 5 days before surgery and 5 after. They say I can get the J-pouch but not sure I want it yet, I have to wait 6 months to heal. but having the ileo is total freedom and I love it. I am a RN and now im thinking of becoming a ostomy nurse. My kids and husband are so supportive, anyway i hope your surgery goes well. Nurse42 Off all meds was on Liladia,pred. imuran,protonix, remicade.
Posted 1/8/2008 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I waited so I could give myself time to gain some weight back, but I've been having horrible spasms and pain in the part of the rectum they left behind, so I am so looking forward to having it removed and recuperating, but I would have waited longer for the surgery if it wasn't for the pain.

Posted 1/8/2008 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Nurse42,

Go for it - be an experienced ET nurse!! What better way to help others in your shoes!! Any idea what the addtional training would be for you?

I too spent my time in Cleve at the Clinic. I had an ET by the name of "cookie" who was wonderful there. That was a long time ago and I still remember how great she was out of all of the nurses that were there to help me. She had quite an impact on my life and recovery.

I hope you decide to continue on for the Enterostomal Therapist training.
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