Weight loss after surgery

[Neona]

I had a huge op on 1st December and still am losing weight despite eating. I feel full as soon as I start eating but have persevered. I was unable to eat for 3 weeks before the op. I look so thin. Has anyone else had this problem please and did it improve?

[angelina]

I lost around a stone after my op and never felt very hungry. Try and eat small amounts through the day, just a biscuit with a drink or piece of cake was what my dr advised me to try.it does take time to recover after such a big op so try not to worry.

I had a very large ovarian cyst removed and that was pressing on my internal organs, don't know if you have had the same but it does take a long time for things to ' spring back ' and my appetite has never returned to how I was before OC.

Have a Happy Christmas 🎄 and lots of chocs 🍫🍩

Lynda x

[Neona in reply to angelina]

Thanks that is reassuring. Did you manage to put the weight back on?

[angelina in reply to Neona]

It's now 5yrs since my op and I'm 5'4 & my weight is now 9stone. In summer months it drops to 8'10 because I'm more active. I can't eat big meals as I did before OC but my dr told me this is normal after having OC. Try not to worry about it you may find in time you will put more weight on than you want to after your chemo. X🎄X

[Neona in reply to angelina]

Thank you -I wonder why it affects your eating so much?

[angelina in reply to Neona]

Think mine is because my ovarian cyst was the size of a full term baby and it weighed almost 9lbs. Therefore it squashed my internal organs (bowels stomach and bladder ) and I guess it made my stomach smaller. If you didn't have a large cyst it's perhaps the anaesthetic and medication but don't worry things will improve for you soon it's early days yet

[Neona in reply to angelina]

Thank you-had extensive surgery including losing spleen and iliostomy. Am still devastated and confused.

[angelina in reply to Neona]

Oh so sorry to hear that, it must have been a shock for you. I had piece of bowel removed but luckily didn't have to have iliostomy. It will take time to get your head around what has happened hope you have someone to talk with. Remember we are here for you 😘

[Neona in reply to angelina]

Thank you -I am relying heavily on comfort from this site at the moment.

[Cropcrop]

Hi, I lost loads of weight before my op and Initially continued to lose post op, I looked dreadful, I had a 30cm tumour removed from my left ovary which was likened to a 6 month pregnancy and it filled all my abdomen, consequently everything had been pushed around by the tumour, also my appetite was rubbish post op and (everybody's favourite topic now) my bowels were very very sluggish so consequently no appetite at all, it all eventually got back to more like normal and then the chemo started and the steroids really awakened my appetite and I put all my weight back on plus some 😳. This was 2 years ago and my appetite is spot on (although some foods are now a no no) and I am now happily settled back in the regular diet treadmill routine.

Hope you start to feel more like you very soon, it's still only 23 days since you had huge major surgery so it's still very early days. It will come in time, perhaps all the lovely Christmas food will make you feel a tad more like eating, maybe nutritious soups would suit you?, enjoy what you enjoy and take lots of care and gave a fabulous Christmas with everybody waiting on you ❤xx🎄 Jane 🎅🏻

[Neona in reply to Cropcrop]

yes I think I must have lost a lot before the op but it didn't show. Now I look all skin and bone.

[Cropcrop in reply to Neona]

I was just the same, I went from a healthy ten and a half stones before being poorly (I'm 5ft9in tall) down to just over eight stones, the weight loss was so much more noticeable post op as the tumour had gone, my boobs and bum vanished and you could literally count my ribs. Now I count my rolls of fat 😂. You'll get there, perseverance is the key. ❤xx

[Cindyinpg in reply to Cropcrop]

My story exactly. 😊

[GBIRVMIC]

Your story sounds the same as mine. Ask to see the dietician.. I did and was told to eat porridge made with evaporated milk, eat anything fattening which I did especially chocolate and all naughty stuff!! I finally reached my weight before OC and this took about 6 months... you'll get there.. just bare with it. Love Michelle x

[Neona in reply to GBIRVMIC]

The hospital dietician has been chasing me which really drew my attention to how bad it is. Yes I am eating lots of cake and chocolate-trying really hard.

[GBIRVMIC]

Aww bless you.. keep it and just over indulge while you can!! 👍🏻 xx

[Beckyjh]

Hi. I lost 2 1/2 stone after my op and didn't put it back on for some time afterwards as like you I couldn't eat much. As chemo went on I had periods of eating hardly anything and periods of being ravenous. Maybe try smoothies with nuts and seeds blended into them?

[Petrolhead]

Hi

I lost about half a stone before the op. Appetite only diminished a few days before op. The large cyst removed weighed 10 pounds so dropped that weight. Put it back almost immediately post op. Do not know what will happen when I start chemo though.

If you really struggle to get the calories go and see your doc. Available on prescription is Fortisip 2Kal and Fresubin 2 Kal drinks if you are able to drink. Don't let the doc fob you off it is available easily. There are also other high calorie products available.

Fat calories tend to be better than carb calories. So as been said cream butter etc if you can eat stuff. The high fat can make some people gag.

I am a pharmacist who works in a specialist place where we give this stuff out all the while - mostly via the recommendation of dietitians to GPS. (Also got a masters in clinical nutrition but don't let that put you off! Lol)

If you need any info on these types products or similar please feel free to ask. Sometimes the medics such as GPS ,dieticians and nurses etc think that adding calories to ordinary food is the answer but if you do not have an appetite then these products are really helpful.

Fay

[Neona in reply to Petrolhead]

Thank you for all this info. I am just starting Complan shakes as I got really sick of the Fresubin before the op.