after right collectomy surgery

ABETHM
ABETHM Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all- I'm new to this discussion group, as of today, and I'm pretty computer-tarded, so tried to post this message in responding to someone elses message. So, now I've
figured out how to post a new message and hope you guys who have "been there" can advise. My mom had a right collectomy two weeks ago. She is a petite lady - 5'4" and weighed 99 lbs b4 the surgery - she has lost at least 15 lbs since and I'm hoping you guys can offer some guidance on what to do to put weight back on. Mom has tried "Ensure" and "Boost" and can't stomach the taste. Plz advise any other thoughts for weight gain.

Tks
Beth

Comments

  • pattieb
    pattieb Member Posts: 168
    #2
    welcome Beth
    I hope your mom is feeling ok despite her weight lost, can she eat ice cream That was one of the things I did to put on weight after my surgery, my dr told me to eat all the junk I could and I did. But now I have a different problem I'm losing weight and I can't have anything cold to eat or drink and I have no appaite at all, I have to force myself to eat. Keep ups updated on how she is doing.
    Pattie
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #3
    Hi Beth,

    I also lost about 20 lbs after surgery and thought I was going to keep losing, no appetite and nausea, but my onc put me on some drugs and forgive me but I don't remember the name (chemo brain), but it stimulated my appetite. I ate and ate and ate and now after chemo, I am trying to lose the extra 20 lbs that I gained (in addition to the 20 I lost) Ha! It's always something!! Good luck to your mom.

    Kerry
  • Sheepy
    Sheepy Member Posts: 48
    #4
    Hi, I had the same surgery last year, and lost 20 pounds.

    Has your mum generally lost her appetite, or can she just not eat things like 'Ensure' and 'Boost'?

    I had no appetite for a couple of weeks, until my doctor prescribed pills to combat stomach acidity - within two days my appetite was back to normal - I regained weight pretty quickly after that.
  • ABETHM
    ABETHM Member Posts: 8
    #5
    Sheepy said:

    Hi, I had the same surgery last year, and lost 20 pounds.

    Has your mum generally lost her appetite, or can she just not eat things like 'Ensure' and 'Boost'?

    I had no appetite for a couple of weeks, until my doctor prescribed pills to combat stomach acidity - within two days my appetite was back to normal - I regained weight pretty quickly after that.

    Sheepy ( and others who have responded so far)
    Thanks so much for your reply - my mom has generally lost her appetite, but was never much of an "eater" to start with. She is having exactly the problem you describe - trouble with acidity. I will tell her to talk to her doctor about prescibing something for that. She is on over the counter Pepcid (has been since b4 the colonoscopy that found the cancer), but i guess that isn't enuf to do the trick.

    I am so glad I found this discussion group - you folks seem so nice but I feel hesitant even asking for advice - after reading what some of you have gone thru, my mom's problems pale in comparison.
    Thanks so much.
    Beth
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #6
    Ahoy, ABETHM -

    I ate a lot of fish and chicken and rice. I have a weakness for sushi and carved it after surgery. I lost about 30 lbs and didn't have a huge apetite after my hemicolectomy. Since you mom had a right hemi (if I read it correctly) she'll probably have a lot of diarhea. I got to a point where I didn't want to eat because that would just "put more ammo in the gun". That's something she'll just have to get used to! It will never go away completely.

    Right side colon cancers are a common manifestation of a genetic form of colon cancer. Have you gotten a colonoscopy? If your mom's cancer is hereditary, you have a 50-50 chance of having the gene that causes it yourself. It often strikes in younger (late 20's to early 40's) folks. I was 37 when I was diagnosed. Not trying to scare you, just wanting to make you aware and give you something to consider.

    Welcome to the semi-colons!

    - SpongeBob
  • KrisS
    KrisS Member Posts: 229
    #7
    ABETHM said:

    Sheepy ( and others who have responded so far)
    Thanks so much for your reply - my mom has generally lost her appetite, but was never much of an "eater" to start with. She is having exactly the problem you describe - trouble with acidity. I will tell her to talk to her doctor about prescibing something for that. She is on over the counter Pepcid (has been since b4 the colonoscopy that found the cancer), but i guess that isn't enuf to do the trick.

    I am so glad I found this discussion group - you folks seem so nice but I feel hesitant even asking for advice - after reading what some of you have gone thru, my mom's problems pale in comparison.
    Thanks so much.
    Beth

    Beth- Don't ever be shy about asking advice. Even little problems can become big ones without attention. I have a similar problem to your mother- never had a big appetite. The most I have ever weighed at 5'6" is 120, but I felt horribly debilitated when I went down to 104 lb during chemo/radiation therapy. It is scary to be on the thin side, because you don't have any reserve. I lost 4 lb during the last 2 wks secondary to catching a cold and getting some mouth sores.

    Antiacid medication has helped.

    You may want to talk with a nutritionist at the hospital. They may have recipes/ suggestions for your mom that she may enjoy.

    Right after surgery and for a couple of weeks thereafter my appetite was decreased. My method of trying to maintain weight is to eat fairly small amounts frequently. Soft stuff, yogurt, cottage cheese, pasta dishes, snacks of English muffins with melted cheese etc worked best for me. Before surgery I baked and ate a pumpkin pie weekly just to try to gain weight.

    Things like steak or roasts heavier fare just filled me up so much I would not feel like eating again for many hours.

    I don't know if your mom lives by herself or not. I do, but go over to my sister's most nights for dinner, just having company while eating can be a help. Also having little snacks that are easy to open and eat can help when your appetite isn't wonderful.

    Best wishes,

    Kris
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #8
    spongebob said:

    Ahoy, ABETHM -

    I ate a lot of fish and chicken and rice. I have a weakness for sushi and carved it after surgery. I lost about 30 lbs and didn't have a huge apetite after my hemicolectomy. Since you mom had a right hemi (if I read it correctly) she'll probably have a lot of diarhea. I got to a point where I didn't want to eat because that would just "put more ammo in the gun". That's something she'll just have to get used to! It will never go away completely.

    Right side colon cancers are a common manifestation of a genetic form of colon cancer. Have you gotten a colonoscopy? If your mom's cancer is hereditary, you have a 50-50 chance of having the gene that causes it yourself. It often strikes in younger (late 20's to early 40's) folks. I was 37 when I was diagnosed. Not trying to scare you, just wanting to make you aware and give you something to consider.

    Welcome to the semi-colons!

    - SpongeBob

    Welcome Beth---I got used to small meals and did a lot of "picking"---bits here and there as I felt---didn't make me feel so woosey.I also munched on dried crackers/biscuits.Anything too fatty was is out of the question--hope this helps.
    hugs kanga n Jen
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #9
    kerry said:

    Hi Beth,

    I also lost about 20 lbs after surgery and thought I was going to keep losing, no appetite and nausea, but my onc put me on some drugs and forgive me but I don't remember the name (chemo brain), but it stimulated my appetite. I ate and ate and ate and now after chemo, I am trying to lose the extra 20 lbs that I gained (in addition to the 20 I lost) Ha! It's always something!! Good luck to your mom.

    Kerry

    sounds like the munchies...are you sure you weren't smoking it? :0
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #10
    Welcome ABETHM,

    I need to 'weigh in' on the subject here. My advice is to stay away from anything like Ensure or Boost to begin with. Refined sugars are going to feed the cancer that she is trying to rid herself of. The doctors will tell you to eat anything to gain weight but I strongly disagree. (oh surprise). This is the time to get the proper nutrition not bombard the healing body with empty calories. Have you consulted an Naturopath? S/he can point you in a better direction than a doctor who has had very little education in the area of nutrition.

    peace, emily
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #11
    2bhealed said:

    Welcome ABETHM,

    I need to 'weigh in' on the subject here. My advice is to stay away from anything like Ensure or Boost to begin with. Refined sugars are going to feed the cancer that she is trying to rid herself of. The doctors will tell you to eat anything to gain weight but I strongly disagree. (oh surprise). This is the time to get the proper nutrition not bombard the healing body with empty calories. Have you consulted an Naturopath? S/he can point you in a better direction than a doctor who has had very little education in the area of nutrition.

    peace, emily

    I was wondering where the heck you were!
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #12
    spongebob said:

    I was wondering where the heck you were!

    was gone for a couple days. but back now! :-)

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