Weight Issues after Surgery #1

hello this is my first time back here in years i am 51 year old male with a jpouch since 2004.I struggle living with this pouch 24hrs a day and i to dont want the bag but weight is a problem even with a pouch keeping my weight on 160 LBS i was 185 with the bag and i love food. i struggle now and cant go and do what ever i want when ever i want. hiking or snow shoeing or jogging or even a movie and dinner all in the same night unless i really plan that out meaning dont eat or drink alot. risky way of doing things. but if i didnt drink beer every day and eat chicken wings my wife said that would really help.My wife has said and my Doc the Bag will be the best i will ever be but i went for the Jpouch.

Me, me! But I had a 1-step, so it was not an issue in getting the surgery. My theory is that having active UC altered my weight set point, so that my body was used to being in "starvation mode." After the diseased colon was gone, my body was still very efficient in collecting every calorie. The only way I have been able to lose weight was to go on a severe calorie restriction (less than 1000 calories a day), with a doctor supervised program. That was 4 years ago and I still gained back half the weight I lost. It is all about portion control and choices I make. Hard to do when I love food...

Jan

A friend of mine started Medifast back in October. She was about 80 pounds overweight. She has lost 30 pounds already. It's a program that is overseen by her doctor. Maybe it's the same one Jan speaks of that she was on. It's a very effective diet and my friend says she doesn't feel cheated or hungry. It may be worth checking in to. Best of luck!

I cannot fully address your first issue about weight, but I lost about 45 pounds after my BCIR surgery, but regained about 10 pounds during recovery. I am now eating and exercising to maintain that weight. As regards the second issue, the bag, you may want to research the BCIR and the Koch pouch (similar procedures) which can be done for those having problems ore life quality issues with an illeostomy. Both of these procedures require no external hardware and the continent pouch with a button hole stoma is emptied 3-5 times a day with a small catheter. My procedure worked out well and has given me a very good quality of life.

I'm in a similar boat (need to lose weight before my next surgeries). I know it's going to suck.

If you aren't already, count your calories and measure your food. Seriously count them for at least a month. There are lots of free trackers out there (Livestrong, MyFitnessPal, etc.). You can still get too many calories with healthy food. Counting calories makes a huge difference for me. You might realize that your cheat day is wiping out 75% of your calorie deficit for the week.

Also consider seeing a Registered Dietician. An RD has a bachelor's in nutrition and passes exams to get the RD label. An RD can set up an eating "skeleton" of what you should be eating every day. I was shocked when I learned that I should only eat 1/2 a baked potato per meal.

Stay hydrated so you don't feel hungry when you aren't.

Best wishes.

Yep, to lose one pound, you need a deficit of 3500 calories. Eating healthy does not do it. Eating small does.

On my medical weight loss program (it was not a commercial program, but through Kaiser), we were allowed six small meals a day, 160 calories each. You think you are going to starve, but you don't. The key is not to have more than 2-3 hours between meals or you get hungry (except when you are sleeping, of course).

Hardest thing I ever did. Harder than this surgery if you can believe that! But, once I got used to the routine, it became easier. Then, once you return to regular food, it becomes more difficult to hold back, as there are so many reasons to splurge. The main reason I gained back only half the weight so far, is that I do continue weekly weight checks at home, and during the week we eat a bowl of soup and salad only for dinner. Dinner is always my downfall, especially when we eat out.

Jan

I'm in the same boat! Gained 50 lbs in two months after my first surgery (two step) with steroid therapy due to adrenal insufficiency. I thought because I poop so frequently the weight would just fall off. I totally agree about the body being in starvation mode! I was so sick before my surgery I probably ate once a day...