Hi everyone, Since I'd a lower left lobectomy last Nov 2022 I've noticed a gradual increase in my weight. I was 9st 12 Ibs & now I'm 10st 12 Ibs. This notable increase's happened within 6 months. I just can't shift the excess weight.
My daily routine hasn't changed & I'm at a loss on how to stop my weight increasing or why this is happening. I've had some gastric issues too since surgery including bloating & gas & when I enquired at my last appointment in April, none of the health professionals seem to know why.
I've tried to find out online why I have gained so much weight so fast but without success. I've arthritis in my knees which it's having an impact now.
Has anyone else experienced dramatic weight gain & have any answers to why this has happened please? Is this normal or to be expected?
Many thanks
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Eaglewings1
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Hi,I had my right lung removed 2020 and also gained weight but I did stop smoking pre surgery, I also had issues with bloating and gas. I am now on immunotherapy and have gained more weight so a total of 4 st over 3yrs, the bloating and gas is on another level to the point of embarrassing 😔 I have switched to a Mediterranean diet so 🤞 it helps.
Hi there, Thank you so much for your quick reply. Yes I'm with you on how embarassing it can be, I tend to have a few good days as well as bad ones.Regarding diet, I've not tried a Mediterranean one so I'll look into this thanks 😊
Hi Eagelwings - are you on any new medication? I gained weight but it was from anxiety meds and steroids? Also now on a med eating regime and 5:2 and it’s slowly coming down (this is after 3 years)
I've just seen my reply didn't come through fir some reason 🤔Here it is a second time 🤞Hi there, thanks for your quick reply. No I'm not on any new medication. I'll have a look into the 'med eating regime' can you tell what does 5:2 mean?Glad to hear you're making progress 😊
It’s the fasting thing! But only 2 days a week. If you google Dr Michael Mosley 5:2 then it will come up on the concept of it. I would check your ok to do the 5:2 and maybe not on weeks your having treatment but the Mediterranean diet seems to have loads of health benefits so hopefully it will start to shift!
Morning I have no direct experience of lobectomy but having read your post, I am just wondering if you were given a lot of antibiotics during surgery. I had a pleural drain in for months and had continual skin infections around the site and had several courses of antibiotics. I have since been trying to rebuild my gut bacteria with a wide range of foods and fermented foods. Have a look at the Zoe studies and the work of Prof Tim Spector changing your diet may help. I also practice the fasting overnight, so you only eat in an 8 hour period, this may help. Good luck.
Hi there, Thanks for your quick reply . I don't know if I was given a lot of antibiotics during surgery they didn't mention it but I was on a lot of meds after op on ward. I did have a pleural drain for a week unlike everyone else on my ward. I did suffer terribly with gastric issues as soon as I was discharged to the point i even struggled to sip water without being in pain & began losing weight.
Re gut bacteria, I've been aware about the importance of good bacteria for some time & the benefits so I tried (before surgery) kambuchi (not sure on spelling) & my stomach went nuts, so much gas & pain for 3 days. You've given me a lot of info/studies to explore which I shall definitely look into. Thank you so much, & trust you're feeling much better in yourself😊
I gained weight with my upper left lobectomy but attributed it to a shift to a much more sedentary lifestyle and medication. I was just thankful to be alive - but went up to my heaviest ever at 14st 6lbs by the April after my surgery in the December.
In the October I'd gone to A&E and to cut a long story short, after 7 hours was discharged despite chest x-ray showing a lesion on my left lung. I was given steroids 8 a day and antibiotics. The next day I was admitted by ambulance and kept in for a week, misdiagnosed as uncontrolled asthma and given 8 steroids every day for a week, nebulisers, antibiotics and other meds. I remained on steroids for a few weeks as a CT scan was needed and it was a way to suppress the cough I had by then so I could lie still. In mid December I had left upper lobectomy and mid January learnt it had been lung cancer.
In the consultation when I saw the surgeon and I asked how I could get fit for surgery, he asked what I did usually and I said 'I swim - 130 lengths 3 times a week but the hospital had told me not to go, stay away from humidity and chlorine'. This reduction in activity and steroid intake I believe started the weight gain. I walked every day increasing it every day after my surgery but it was the April when I resumed swimming and gradually built it back up to my 130 lengths by the time I saw him again in the June. In the next 8-9 months I lost 6 stones without dieting - but had increased my swimming and having read' anti-cancer, a new way of life' by Dr Servan Schreiber, reduced processed carbs in my diet and was more active generally.
Various tests ensued seeing different specialists and the conclusion by an endocrinologist was that stopping steroids suddenly had affected my adrenal glands triggering or at least contributing to the weight loss.
I've had 3 chest infections since December and been back on various meds including blood pressure meds that have slowed down my system but I've also significantly reduced my swimming since 2019 when I was hospitalised with RSV. Between 2015 and 2019 I was hospitalised every year with nasty chest infections including pneumonia, pseudomonas and RSV and had extensive steroids in every mode (IV, oral and inhaled) for all and never regained my swimming stamina/distance since 2019, worsened by the pandemic.
Only when I had an Apple Watch was I able to see the complete contrast with calories burned during 1 hours swim - much more than walking all day! Therefore we can over-estimate our activity and often take in far more calories than we're burning which over time can build up to weight gain. we often see this over Xmas or holidays when our eating/regular activities change to a much more sedentary lifestyle.
There may be health reasons like your arthritis that impacts your activity. Also changes in sleep patterns can change when we eat and our appetite over time.
I developed tendonitis whilst recovering from my lobectomy after just a weekend walking too strenuously and was told to keep weight off my feet (which given I couldn't swim either at that time was not good). Activities in the water whether pool walking, aqua exercises or swimming can be good if you have other conditions as your weight is supported by the water. other non weight bearing exercises can be done on rowing machine or similar equipment.
I was shocked when told I had a blood pressure problem (never having had one before) but the meds I've been prescribed slow everything down so think that's contributing to my weight gain - I'm now heavier than I've ever been - but again, medics are at a loss. Have you tried keeping a food/activity diary and showing them it? don't forget to count drinks - all types as they can add many calories too. Many don't recognise how calorific a couple of lattes/cappucinos/smoothies can be - it's not just alcoholic drinks.
Many foods we eat often have added sugar and fat that can significantly increase calories over those we might make from scratch too.
I'd suggest reading Dr Servan Schreiber's book and see if there are any lifestyle changes you can make and see if that makes a difference.
Hi there, thanks for your reply. It sounds like you've had an awful time since your surgery & when you mentioned steroids I thought that could've possibly contributed to your weight gain. Fortunately for me I only take levothyroxine which I've taken for years & i've not had anything else prescribed long term post surgery.Picking up on some of your points & suggestions, by coincidence I started pool class excercises (including pool walking) yesterday using water as a resistance & I feel OK today no aches or pains & I've even been out on a walk today.
Re to calories I'm pretty savvy on the calorie front & I've always been aware of hidden calories in drinks etc, your right when it comes to speciality drinks they can be so high in calories. My eating & drinking habits haven't really changed that's why I'm surprised I've put on so much weight so quickly since my op'.
Thanks for recommending Dr Servan Schreiber's book I'll have a look & i may keep a food & drinks diary as a check. Thanks again for your tips & advice, I wish you all the best😊
Thanks - I found the book really helpful and also recommend keeping active. Many friends at the gym have commented that they have not recovered their pre pandemic fitness/endurance and many people I know gained at least a stone in weight during the pandemic. Societal changes where people are working from home have also reduced exercise that people may have had travelling to or at work (steps/walking around the workplace is activity too) rather than sitting at a desk...
Glad you enjoyed the pool walking - the first time I went I lay on my back and sculled my arms at the sides and kicked my legs - not exactly a stroke but didn't strain but was using energy and enabling me to redevelop my lungs....
Another factor that people often forget is the amount of hours you spend up and about - many now get up later and go to bed at the same time so there are fewer hours when active calories are being burnt..... most often it's a combination of many things rather than a single cause but if you can stem the tide when it's only an extra stone that's good.
Sorry to hear you are concerned with weight gain post surgery, this must be frustrating, especially since you haven’t changed your daily routine. I see you have had some excellent responses to your post, and some good suggestions to try. If you are thinking of trying a different eating plan, we would advise checking with your medical team, they may even be able to offer additional advice or support.
You may find our leaflet on living with lung cancer helpful as it has tips on eating well and staying active, it can be found on this link LivingWithLungCancer_2018Booklet.indd (roycastle.org)
All our other advice booklets can be accessed from here Lung cancer booklets - Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
You may also wish to look at the NHS inform information on nutrition. This is the link Eatwell Guide - Food and nutrition | NHS inform
I hope this is of some use. Should you wish to discuss anything you can email ask the nurse at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600.
Thank you so much for your reply & your advice, it's also comforting to know there's an advice line too if I need it. I'll check out the booklets you've suggested, Thank you!
it’s not just me then. I was 87kg for what seems like for ever.
I had an upper left lobectomy almost 5 months ago I am now at 107 kg
The weight gain probably started before surgery as my activity slowed however I think it accelerated through the various pills I have been taking post operation. I walk every day and take part in supervised exercises twice a week but the weight is still there. I recently took a swimming pass and pop in at 0600 when the other half goes to work. At the moment I’m walking in the water to build up strength as I have arthritis developing in my joints. Being at sea for 45years didn’t help I think. A stooping stool was bought to help me in the kitchen as was some good grips utensils.
Being a chef for over 48 years I am able to adjust/adapt recipes quite easily to reduce calories but it’s still frustrating. I do have a weakness for cakes and biscuits but I am using vitalite and xylitol to allow the wee treats. Recipes Mam used when there was little money ; mainly veg with a touch of meat are back, traditional food from the north east. I have noticed I am not feeling so peckish and reaching for the biscuit tin as much and the bloating has finally stopped, there’s still gas but it’s fine.
I don’t follow any dieting fads etc just trying to pay more attention to what I am using hoping the weight will gradually drop.
I have been on a few steroid courses since I have underlying pulmonary fibrosis and copd and that didn’t help with the weight.
Not wanting to be seem rude I would really pay attention to what you do every day. I am trying to do that and attempting to break tasks down so I am not sore and absolutely knackered afterwards for days after one spurt of activity.
Hi Mark, thanks for your helpful reply & sorry for my slow response it's been a busy 2 weeks. I too use xylitol but in hot drinks to keep calories down. And my nemesis is also cakes & biscuits but I don't think that's increased after surgery. I've started a free 12 week exercise class last week which is a full on hour & exhausting. It really pushes & challenges me which's a good thing but found joint probs I didn't know I had. I also attend free pool excercises for a full hour which is better for my joints due to it being water resistance even though I feel 10 stone heavier when I get out of the pool 😅 (it's worth it)
You're right & no offence taken when you suggested paying attention to what I do everyday, that I've found useful. I try to be more active particularly in a morning as I found i wasn't as active as before surgery but that was down to studying on my laptop in the mornings which I'm not doing now. Normally when I've been walking or, swimming or using the gym I use to see my weight lower by 1 or 2 pounds but there's no shift whatsoever since surgery, it's completely baffling me.
I hope you can manage to regain your weight to that which you feel comfortable, I'll continue my 'battle of the bulge' & if I have a eureka moment I shall share it within the group to hopefully help others. Wishing you all the best 😁
Thanks for your reply. You sound so much like me. I too need to get a move on in the mornings and the joints feel a bit rusty. I was starting to notice a little improvement but the past week I have struggled walking more than 5 metres without being in pain and feeling really breathless. No idea why but if it’s the same come Friday I’ll check in with the GP.
Hi, thanks for your question. No not been on steroids I understand it's common for people to put weight on when taking these . I only take 75mcg Levothyroxine which I was taking before surgery.
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