Starting radiation Overweight

Between my operation in December of 09 and the end of radiation March 2010 I lost 95 lbs by the end of April . You have to be careful you don't always lose it from areas your hoping to. I lost alot in the gut area but to much in muscle up in my sholders. They threatened to give me my second feeding tube if I lost anymore but I managed to avoid that ordeal.

Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. The fine folks on here will coach you through the whole ordeal . Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Life is good

      Jeff

I lost 82 during chemo/rad.  I had it to lose.  That was two years ago and once i could swallow easily and my appetite returned I gained back 20 before leveling off.  it was all good.  I did not have a feeding tube.  My choice.   I wish you well.  For now don't worry, it will all fall into place as you progress down the road.    

you will often hear that SCC treatment is a fine way to lose weight but not a recommended diet plan for most. :-)

I rarely hear any complaints about the net weight loss for those who can afford to shed them. On the other end, it is a real medical concern for those going in really light as they have no surplus to lose.

hrowe said:

I lost 45 pounds. No peg.

I lost 45 pounds. No peg. Gained it all back 2.5 yrs later as taste buds returned.

But not from not being able to eat.  Jim packed in at a minimum 3500 calories a day and he never lost his ability to eat or drink.  His doctors were amazed.  Jim's weight loss was an effect of the radiation (35 treatments) and did not start until about 6 weeks post treatment.  Be careful and eat good foods.  You can use this not as a time to lose weight but to focus on a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits to maintain your health post-treatment.

treatment skinny.....but loss less weight than those who started out heavier..... I was 97 lbs and the Drs. were pretty paranoid about what was going to happen to me during treatment.  As it was I lost less than 20 lbs....17 to be exact, which is far less than most who go through this treatment.

I say, eat what you want, you're going to lose weight no matter what once treatment starts.....and for a while after it's over.  Skiffen says that once you're in treatment that metabolism ramps up, and I believe it.  You can take in 2000 calories a day via Ensure or Boost, sitting a chair.....yet weight keeps dropping off.  Calories/protein helps healing, so don't get stingy with your caloric intake during treatment.

p

debbiejeanne said:

sonja, when i was first dx i

sonja, when i was first dx i weighed 240 lbs.  that was 8/2009.  i had recurrence in 2012.  between the 2 battles i lost 120 lbs.  i got down to 120 and that was too skinny for me.  i have now gained 40 back and I'm praying I don't gain any more as I don't want all that excess again, so i'm keeping my fingers crossed.  you just want to be careful that you don't lose too much and in the wrong places like mentioned in another post.  wishing you the best as you go thru tx.  please keep us posted on your progress.

God bless you,

dj 

I lost 65 pounds my first go around With G tube. Thankful I had it to lose. Following tx, I think my burst of energy six weeks out was due to the weight loss. I never gained any back in two years. Two recurrences have resulted in additional weight loss that I am not comfortable with. had surgery a week ago and feeding tube from nose pulled yesterday. having to work at getting soft diet to do anything. If I continue to lose will need another g tube. I just could not tolerate the nose feeding tube a day longer or at least thought I could not. Wishing I had not been so insistent today. Apologize for typos. Just got an IPad and figuring out how to manuever with fingernails.  I think you will be happy you had extra weight prior to this journey.

It all depends on how you want to look at it. I was overweight and lost 50 pounds total and trying to keep it at that right now. It's been just over a year since my last rad & cemo treatment. . After three weeks of treatment I lost  a little over 20 pounds and began relying on the peg tube for feeding.  Kind of lost my appetite by the treatment and I’m still there. Found that a lot of food I just can’t eat because of spices and texture. Be prepared for skin sagging. I don’t have a gut but I do have some extra skin.