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can you lose weight with a ilestomy

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Posted 7/10/2008 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have had my temp ilestomy for like 5 mths.  I use to have to drink ensure's to maintain my weight etc.  In fact, I had to buy new clothes and I stored alot of clothes bc they did not fit.  Okay....so I have my surgery and now I am gaining weight.  I don't even eat alot but I know that it is also what I eat.  I use to eat salad, fruit, no bread, no potatoes, no pasta etc....I did the SCD diet so everything went through me pretty quick.  Now, with this ilestomy, I know that I cannot eat foods that go through me quick.  Also, salads, fruit, no bread, no potatoes etc makes me have really watery poo.  So, I want to loose weight but how do I do it?  I use to say that they only good thing about UC is that I had a better body but now I don't even have that. 
Posted 7/10/2008 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
well i was losing weight at first, but then i got excited about being able to eat anything i wanted, whenver i wanted, so i started gaining weight, lol. But i do feel like exercsing, finally, so that is helping, lol. If i could only get off the milkshakes and ice cream i would do great, i keep telling people i got 8 years of eating to make up for!
Posted 7/10/2008 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chillie, how r u? i came back on site yesterday and thought everyone i knew has gone.
i left a message for u and everyone else who helped me thru. good to hear ur well.

i myself am having the weight problem, i've put on so much but i'm grateful for being well.
i myself do think that i eat unhealthy and don't exercice, last month i joined the gym and went 4 times...lol

my surgoen has told me to stay fit and healthy for my reversal, but wat can u do, i love food but i'm sure i'll be o.k once i join the gym.
i also have an underactive thyroid which doesn't help.

keep me posted, and how is your ileo and r u feeling good?

it's going to be 6 months end of 7 since my ordeal.

take care

samiexxxx
Posted 7/10/2008 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Chili, eventually you'll be able to eat salad and potatoes. I've had my loop ileostomy since July 2007 and find that I can eat just about anything I want. I sometimes eat the skin on my baked potato, not all it but a little bit. I eat lots of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and almonds. Also, popcorn. You'll be able to tell what your body can handle. Just introduce one thing at a time. It took me about 6-7 months before I could eat the nutty and fruit stuff.
Posted 7/11/2008 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I had a total colectomy which is similar to an illeostomy in that my small intestine is now reconnected to my rectum. In your case I am guessing your small intestine is connected to a stoma in your abdomen. In any case, for both of us our small intestine is the "last stop" on the way out. I have gained 12 pounds since my surgery in February and have not changed the calories I consume in a day. I went to a nutritionist who specializes in digestive disorders because I was worried about the weight gain, and she said that when your colon is no longer a part of your digestive system, food sits in the small intestine longer and since that is where calorie absorption takes place, your body has more time to fully absorb the calories in the food. I have tried cutting back but I just get so hungry that I am really unable to lose much weight. Guess it is just the price we have to pay to feel better! Good luck to you.
Posted 7/11/2008 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
see i thought it would be the other way around with the calories, because sometimes the food i eat will come out within an hour, so i can't see how it has tiem for all the calories to absorb.
Posted 7/11/2008 2:29 AM (GMT 0)

hi Chili,

  I had a similiar problem - never had to worry about weight gain until my ileostomy.  Finally I feel better and I have packed on the pounds.  I had no idea how to count calories as it never seemed to matter before. Everything I ate just went right through me. 

I recently started weight watchers so that I could learn about nutrition and try to diet.  Its worked for me and I have been able to lose 5lbs and counting in the last month.  I never thought I would need to diet but it seems to be working. 

You may want to talk to your doctor about what they suggest and keep in mind it may take your guts sometime to get adjusted to being disconnected.

Good luck.

Posted 7/11/2008 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
I'm losing weight with a temp ileostomy. The chemo may have something to do with it. But I have found I eat much better. My system is happier if I eat every two or three hours. So I'll have a banana in the morning. Bit of cereal a few hours later. Some carrots. Piece of chicken. In all I am eating much less and getting much more fruits and vegetables in my diet. I do miss my salads and whole grain products. My dr also put me on a prescription strength of Prilosec and it has been very helpful in cutting down the stomach bile output.

Good Luck!
Posted 7/13/2008 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
It is incredible to hear how many people have also gained.  I am going to experiment and see if I can find a way to loose some of this weight.  I am started to really get my old energy level back so I may even try some exercising.
Posted 7/13/2008 2:29 AM (GMT 0)

You are gaining weight because you are finally healthy.  I wouldn't worry about it just yet.  Take time to fully recover before embarking on a diet.  Yes, even though food races through you it does not mean calories are not being absorbed.  Calorie absorption takes place in the terminal ileum.  Eventually you will be able to take the weight off and it will be just as challenging as with a colon.  No secrets, it's all about decreasing calories and increasing exercise.

Sue

Posted 7/13/2008 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
You're so right. I need to focus on my health over my looks. I just thought I was so much cuter being thinner. I liked my body SO MUCH better. I am certainly glad to nolonger have all of the UC symptoms.
Posted 7/13/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto Suebear...diet (as in not eating junk) and excercising. I walk many miles at least 4 days a week and workout with weights three days a week. Many years ago, after my first ileo, I worked out with a trainer...it cost a little more but you learn how to correctly use weights and do many different excercises. That is important for anyone with a compromised abdominal wall. I don't do alot of abdominal excercises because I am cautious, but I don't limit anything else. Find something you like to do...walking outside is definately better than inside for me, but everyone is different...good luck!
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