Total Colectomy - Weight Gain Concerns Post-Operation

Dear Healing Well forum members,

Hello! I am a 19 year-old female who, like many of you, has suffered since childhood with chronic, debilitating GI disease. I have sought treatment over the years from doctors across the eastern seaboard for my severe bloating, gas, constipation, diahrrea, nausea, food intolerances and sensitivities, and acid reflux. My GI physicians have referred me back and forth from endocrinology to hematology--with no hope for a viable treatment. I was diagnosed with IBS, gastroparesis, and atony of the colon. My current GI, completely baffled by my case, sent me to a colorectal surgeon who comes highly recommended. My parents and I were relived to finally be seeing a surgeon but also rather nervous.

The surgeon has suggested a total colectomy to resolve some of the more pressing issues I have encountered--as, over the past six months I have been incapable of ingesting solid foods without acute abdominal pain. I am concered because I have read on this and other forums that weight gain is common after such a procedure. I live an active lifestyle and hope to do so in the future, but weight gain would certinaly interfere with my quality of life. I maintain a low calorie, low residue diet but have, in the past, struggled with my weight. I am at a healthy weight currently and fear the reprocussions of a total colectomy on my mental and physical health. For any of you who have had or know someone who has had this operation, please lend your advice. Do the means justify the ends? Many thanks to all of you!

The large colon absorbs around 5-10% of calories

Have you got a source, please? I've never heard of that before. I not only have no trouble maintaining my weight, I practically only have to look at something fattening to put on a pound or two. I think to actually lose weight I would have to eat <1000 calories a day.

Now that said, there is nothing about a colectomy which inherently makes it more likely that you will gain weight. In two and a half years of having an ileostomy my weight has remained stable. I just wish it would remain stable at a lower weight, although I did lose some weight immediately after my second operation.

Same here. I have gained only about 5 lbs, but that is because I'm eating what I couldn't before. But, I never experienced a huge weight gain, it's been steady, overall. I could see losing weight, but not gaining. Best of luck to ya'.

I have never heard that having a proctocolectomy makes it more likely to gain unwanted weight....interesting. That said...I had my surgery over 2 years ago, and still haven't gained all the weight I lost from getting sick. In the last couple months before surgery I dropped from 140 pounds down to 95 pounds..and I am 5'9"! Once I had the surgery and was able to eat again I gained back about 30 of those lost pounds pretty easily, but haven't gotten above 135 since. Keep in mind, I eat a very healthy diet compared to most people, though I have my cheat foods too...and I also exercise, heavily at times, almost every day. I have noticed that since surgery I lose weight much more quickly if I happen to get sick and eat a little less as a result of not feeling well. I had a mild stomach bug last week, and though I did still eat, it was less than usual. I lost about 7-8 pounds in 5 days!

Good luck with everything!

I think it varies from person to person. I've met more ostomates who've gained weight than lost on other forums; it seems to be the exact opposite here.

You will have to change your diet post-op since your small intestine will have to become accustomed to doing both jobs. Leafy greens and the like will take the largest toll on you, though you can ingest them in liquid or smoothie form until your body is ready to process them normally. Anticipate weight flucuations over strict gain or loss, as you'll probably have to experiment with different foods to see how your body reacts.

BUT. You will feel a helluva lot better! You might even find it's easier to maintain a healthy weight regardless of what you eat, especially if you're already active.

I am 5'6 and weighed 114 after surgery. I am 8 weeks out and now weigh 122 morning weight. My goal is 126-130. I have indulged in plenty of ice cream and cheese and salty carbs; let's just say I have not been counting calories. That said, I am only gaining one pound a week. Even though I have been consuming calorie dense food as a temporary measure, those meals are small, as I am simply not that hungry. Do not be concerned about excess weight gain; unless something dramatically happens, I cannot see that happening to me. And, I agree with other contributors to this forum. The surgery is a life changer, and for the better.

I don't know how much I weight now (no scale), but I'm pretty sure I've put on at least two or three pounds since my last appointment. I eat a -lot- of noodles. Scratch that, I eat a lot of Chinese food, lo mein in particular. The oils plus the noodles and meats seem to be helping my hard edges round out. I read an article on gaining weight that said potatoes and other carb-heavy foods can help considerably. You also have to take into account your own metabolism and how your body reacts to certain foods. If you're only three weeks into your recovery, you might want to start slowly introducing new foods into your diet. Once your guts start to relax you'll probably start seeing more progress.