Weight gain

[Popsic]

Hi guys,

I am struggling with weight gain, i am 9 years post Ivor Lewis and I have gained nearly 2 stone, I know many of you have problems with gaining weight after your operations, but I was wondering if anyone has the opposite as I do?. I know I should be thankful but honestly it's so uncomfortable at times. I have had a tummy stretch recently which I thought might help, but after the first two weeks my weight went back up again! I've tried calorie counting diets but I lose one pound then put on two! I'm exercising too. The surgeons are really pleased, I still see them as I still have Digestive problems, I'm due another endoscopy 23rd of the month, then maybe a colonoscopy, I'm hoping you all might have some suggestions.

Thanks guys!

June

[Planthead]

Hi, I know what you mean, but we are what we eat, so watch your diet, go veggie for a bit, for breakfast, go fruit and cereal. Change up your excercise routine, weight bearing exercises with cardio, get out of breath, long fast paced walks helps, as does a fitness tracker, 10,000 steps a day is a good guide. Don't platueau, have fun do a bit of Hula hooping, and meditation. Above all, be glad your are alive, gaining weight is just part of aging, I am 64 and gain weight if I am not careful, feel it in my clothes, used to be a 44 chest, now a slim 40. Don't worry to much as long as you are healthy, and happy.

[Popsic in reply to Planthead]

Hi thereThank you for your reply, I have to admit I do most of what you have suggested, but I will go veggie for a bit, not that keen on meat anyway tbh. I did try hula hooping but couldn't " get the rhythm lol " , but I'll give it another go! I've got a tracker so I'll get back to my steps again, I turned 60 on the 2nd of this month, I am so grateful to be alive, I lost my brother 2yrs ago to cancer that hit me so bad, don't think I've still got my head around it yet. I suffer with bi polar so sometimes it's quite difficult for me. Also still on omeprazole which I thought I would have come off of.

Anyway, thank you once again, well done on your weight / inch loss, that's amazing! Stay safe, stay well.

Regards

June

[Planthead in reply to Popsic]

Thank you, June,

I am still on omepprazol, in fact they have just increased the dose, to two tablets a day, due to gastritis. Been on it 13 years, and still conflicted, and tried to cut back, but I suffer from acid, and it made the situation worse. With hula, my wife uses a "weighted" hoop, and she started using it during lockdown in the garden. For excercise, so many to choose from and discover on youtube, yoga, tai chi, weights, stretching, pilates and of course good old Joe wickes, always something new to choose, we discovered Wim Hoff during lockdown, and still have a cold two minute shower down, and deep breathing, every morning. I find that really helpful for my mental health. (As I suffer from Adult ADHD). I lost my dad to dementia at the beginning of the year, and my sisters boyfriend died of colorectal cancer last month, 6 months after diagnosis, he was 63, Big guy and wasted away in front of your eyes. So plenty to be grateful for. Stay young and beautiful, as they used to say. We are in our prime. Good health and luck.

[Popsic in reply to Planthead]

Thank you for your reply,I still get acid, I was hoping it would have gone but nope!.

I'm due an endoscopy 23rd of this month I'm terrified incase they find something, been getting a lot of pain in my upper abdominal area, also diarrhea again, keep thinking my pancreas or bowel😔 sometimes I feel so alone in all this, my hubby is brilliant but doesn't really understand me. But I'm praying things will all turn out right. So sorry to hear about your Dad, my Dad had early onset dementia when he passed so hard to watch.

My brother was similar to your sisters bf, he had bladder cancer which spread, was gone within the year, such a shock. My condolences to you all.

Our lives have only just begun,

Stay safe and well

June

[FKM100]

Hi, Popsic. Yes, I am also one of those who now needs to watch my weight as well. I was very overweight before I got cancer, then lost a lot of weight, but now that I am in remission I have started picking up more weight than I want.

I am trying really hard not to, because I am determined not to end up back where I was, but it is jolly hard going, I must admit! I just have to accept that, with my metabolism, I don't need as many calories as most other people and adjust my intake accordingly.

I've not been able to eat much meat since my IL (2 years ago), nor can I manage much sugar, so that is not a problem for me, but I got into the habit of eating too many refined carbs, because I found them easy to digest after the IL, so I've cut right back on those and I find it helps. I don't literally count my calories, but I am very conscious of the nutritional content of what I am eating and choose my foods accordingly.

I've cut out bread, rice and pasta completely (replaced with seed crackers and Ryvita in very limited quantities) and cut back heavily on starchy veggies like potatoes and fruit like bananas. I've also cut back on my beloved double cream yoghurt, as well as cheese (which I was eating a lot). I'll have some of these occasionally, but not as often as before. Instead I eat mainly low calorie veggies (lots and lots of veggie soup) and eggs. I do eat avocados and olive oil, which are high in calories, but I think they are essential.

I've found that's the only way I can keep my weight under control. Although exercise is good, for me it would not be enough to make a difference on its own.

[Popsic in reply to FKM100]

Hi there,Thank you for your reply. I'm like you, can't have too much sugar or fatty foods, I do try to stay away but sometimes I just think " ill deal with it tomorrow" I really need to get out of that habit! I still suffer dumping syndrome so too many liquid meals start me off,

I have had a really rough 3 yrs losing my parents and my brother, I've health issues too which are being investigated, I take comfort that I must be OK as I'm not losing weight for no reason. I just wish I could lose a couple stone then I'd be comfortable. I do calorie count and exercise but the exercise is getting more difficult lately. I'm thankful for everyday I'm here and that's what helps I think.

I'm also a born worrier, every pain or mishap I get I think it's cancer again ,

Thank you for your feedback once again its much appreciated. Stay safe and well.

June