Total Colectomy and now extreme weight increase!!

This is my first time on this and I never thought that I would ever have to do this as I thought that after my operation all would be well!!Generally I am feeling much better physically now that I am a year on, but I am struggling with the emotional aftermath! This has mainly been brought on by my weight gain. I was too thin before the operation at a small 7 1/2 stone and was delighted to be 8 1/2 stone within 6 months of the surgery. However despite living on a diet of fish and vegetables my weight is now just under 10 stone, but I am only 5 ft 2! My doctor is thrilled and thinks it is a real success, but I have never felt so awful. I am not meant to be this big and I feel so cheated. I watch people stuffing their faces with the most unhealthy food and I can't even have a glass of wine anymore and I am punished with uncontrollable weight gain. I am seriously worried about where this will end up. how much weight do I need to gain and how quickly before my doctor becomes concerned. If this continues I will be obese within two years! I woud understand if I ate crap all day, I believe you are what you eat, but this operation has left me unable to eat processed food, no chineses, no chip shops, no crisps, buns, cakes, alcohol, no sauces! I can't even eat pasta or rice!

Everyone told me that I would struggle to keep weight on for the rest of my life and now I cry myself to sleep because my confidence is shot to pieces. Not only do I have a massive scar that now means I won't let my husband touch my stomach, but I feel that I never knew what I was getting into and have been fighting depression since. I had to go back to a very repsonsible and stressful job too soon and I have no support network as I live away from family and friends. Now I am so worried about my body and the fact that eating out and socialising is a nightmare I hardly go out. I am only 25. I got the opertaion because of chronic constipation since birth and I now have BM's 4-6 times a day. I would do the operation again, but within two weeks of being referred to a consultant I was under the knife! He never explained anything, I found out everything from everyone on here (big big thank you), I went into the operation not entirely sure what the name of it was!! No one is listening. The thing is I am, or was or, at least have the potential to go back to the very strong, independant and confident woman that I once was. i guess this is why I have come on here. I have no one to talk to that understands, I feel that I should be over it now and I don't want to admitt to anyone that knows me. They would be so shocked to know how I am really feeling as they all expected me to recover with speed and bravery as usual and I didn't disappoint. Everyone thinks I am so tough and when I've tired to seak to anyone they don't know how to deal with this side of me! I am so sorry to go on, but it is such a relief to say this and I really would love someone to give me some adivce about what could be going on and what to ask the doctor. Last time I went I ended up in tears in front of him becuase I was so angry and frustrated- I felt so ashamed and I am no totally put off going back as I think he just thought I was being a hysterical woman!!

Thank you for lending your ears!!

Thank you for you understanding, I am trying but I guess I am so frustrated at the minute. I feel guilty complaining when I have read what you ahve been through! I know I have it easy compared to most people on here, thats why it took me so long to post. I think it's just nice knowing that I am not the only one. Do you still get weak moments?

Thanks,

Chaza

Im so sorry your going through this. I had my surgery on Nov.23 and am going through something similar. Im 5'3, 123lbs and according to charts/BMI and all that other stuff im totally fine for my height/weight. However, my ostomy has decided to be inverted on one edge the last few weeks and my ostomy nusrse has said..."you need to loose about 5lbs in your tummy area" Im not kidding you, that is what she said to me. My tummy has been my awful area since I was in my teens and I realized that was the area were I gain weight. So she told me to target my weight loss area. Yup, target my tummy area 6 weeks after surgery. Im pretty depressed today as my appointment was yesterday. The only thing I can possibly tell you is, get another opinion and seek help for your depression. Please let us know how things progress!