Weight Gain after subtotal colectomy

I had a subtotal colectomy in 2007 and I have gained so much weight after the surgery. I got pregnant in 2008 and lost weight during the pregnancy the baby received all the nutrition he weighted almost 10lbs at birth. I just keep gaining and gaining. I weigh more now than I did when I was 9 months pregnant. Has anyone else experienced weight gain after having there colon removed? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Kimber. My baby is 16 months and I've managed to lose 95 pounds since he was born through Weight Watchers and consistent exercise. For ten of those sixteen months, I've had an ileostomy, so it is possible to successfully follow the program and lose weight with a stoma. I really like their balanced approach of eating real food while occassionally being able to treat yourself. You might check them out if you feel ready to make some changes.

I went from 148 lbs to 112 when I was diagnosed in Jan 2010 with severe UC. I didn't respond to any meds and had to have my colon completely removed followed by 2 more surgeries for a j-pouch. I started gaining weight back (121 lbs) when I returned to work 4 months later. Although I worked part-time when I returned, I was munching all the time. While I was hospitalized in Jan/Feb I was on a liquid diet for over 45 days because my bowels were so irritated. My nutrients were in the toilet by the time I had my third surgery and I had to be put on TPN 24 hours for 2 weeks and then 12 hours every night for 3 additional weeks. It was then I put back on all my old weight. I am having a difficult time exercising now because I developed tachycardia with my last surgery as well. Any type of exertion sends my heart into overdrive, me feeling faint and nauseated, and out of breath. I don't know what to do - I'm so discouraged.

I've always had some weight challenges - even when I had UC - but the last year and a half has been incredibly challenging. I had UC for 10 years. Had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. They told me it was one of the worst colons they've ever seen. The reversal didn't work and I had struggled with ostomy output, so I dropped weight pretty steadily after getting the bag in July 09. In Feb 10, I had the bag put bag on after the reversal left me malnourished and backed up with bacteria. Within two months, I had gained 20 pounds. I hadn't really changed my eating much. I was still sore and recovering from surgeries, so my physical output was pretty low. I told my primary doc I was concerned about the weight gain. I seemed to gain 10 pounds a month, like clockwork. By the time I hit 40 I was working out like crazy. At first the doc said my body was just confused. It had been like in starvation mode and was trying to settle down. She told me it would balance out. Then, she told me I was working out too hard and to lay off. The weight kept coming, a couple pounds a week, no matter what I did.



I have gained 145 POUNDS since February 10. My weight has been stable for the last couple of months, and I've tried a new primary, who put me on a strict diet (south beach) and said if I didn't lose at least 10 pounds, something was going on. Well, I lost about 2 ounces. And I followed the darn thing - no pasta, sugar or alcohol, etc.



I'm extremely frustrated. I am not on any medication, other than Paxil (which I know can cause weight gain, but not like this). No birth control. My thyroid, sugar, etc have all checked out repeatedly and are fine.



Anybody have any idea what the heck is going on? My surgeon won't try another reversal until I drop some weight. I still have high output (not to the point of dehydration and hospitalization, but it's pretty steady) so I don't know how I can be gaining this weight.



Thoughts??

Thanks, Sue. I was thinking about Weight Watchers ... I had a bad experience with a previous nutritionist when I had UC. She ended up asking me what I could eat and didn't really help me much. I think it's worth a shot, right?

Beanie,

Yes, I hear you. I had a new age nutritionist who offered me no help whatsover. I finally went with a dietician, they seem to be more practical and level headed. Bluegrass brings up an interesting point, maybe an endocrinologist is in order?

Sue

@ Sue: Yes, I go to a cardiologist every 6 months now. He's of the same mind as my surgeon and my primary. Walk, walk, walk. My primary wants me to work up to 5 miles a day 3 days a week. That's my goal.

im the oppisite i lost weight you would say (wish that was me) but it scares me cus im not trying but i did find for me drinking boost shakes filled me up some and i know doctors usually sugest water before each meal!! good luck