Weight Loss Challenges After Ileostomy: Seeking Tips

Hi Brummy,

There are a lot of people with that issue, me included.

I've never been skinny, but since the ileostomy in 2018/2019 up until this year, I gained 33 kg. I went to multiple nutritionists, personal trainers, etc. I even overdid it and got a ruptured bowel and parastomal hernia. But nothing worked.

My surgeon suggested weight loss surgery since Ozempic and other weight loss medications weren't suitable for me (pancreatic inflammation in the past due to Imuran).

So last April, I had a gastric sleeve, and so far, I have lost 24.7 kg. I hope to lose another 15 kg if possible, but I will see what my body wants to do.

The sleeve doesn't affect my output, and it doesn't affect my Crohn's. I have never been hungry since the surgery. Bariatric surgery is not the easy way out, as many people believe, but it is a last resort option if you have tried everything else and it didn't give results.

I understand from your profile that you're in your 40s and have gained approximately 40 lb. in the year since your ileostomy surgery.

And juggling work, childcare, and overwhelming fatigue is quite a heavy burden to be dealing with all at once.

If you're not keen on going out to a gym or personal trainer appointment due to time constraints (I know, because you put everyone else's needs first), then at least give yourself a little lovin' and self-care at home.

Make a vow to focus only on yourself just for a little while. Every. Single. Day. You don't have to go at it like a madwoman. Take those same baby steps you taught your child(ren) to take. Be kinder to yourself. If you have the opportunity, take a bubble bath, make something delicious from an online recipe, go for a walk around your block, and marvel at nature. The more you nurture yourself, the better you will eat, and the less hungry you will feel.

No, my experience has not been that having an ileostomy has made it harder to lose weight. In fact, I am in the Terry camp - I struggle to keep it on. But everyone's journey is different, and so we are here to support you all the way.

M
xo

When I first had Crohn's almost 50 years ago, I was put on Imuran also. It didn't work, and eventually, I had to have my large colon removed. I had an MRI approximately 10 years ago that revealed that I have some cysts on my pancreas. As a result, I have an MRI every year. I try to maintain my calories around 1000 per day, and it's very hard for weight to come off. I am usually hungry. I don't understand if you are not hungry, do you still eat a lot. I'm just wondering the reason behind your weight gain. I also don't understand why your doctor would want to do bariatric surgery on you because I thought that would just make you not want to eat much.

I am on a semi-Optavia diet. Usually, there are 5 "fuelings" per day and 1 lean and green meal. The fuelings have approximately 5 mg of fiber and 110 calories each. I found out the hard way that I can't eat much fiber, so I have 3 fuelings per day and drink 2 whey protein drinks in between, and then a lean and green meal for supper. I found that taking Ultra Berberine with cinnamon twice per day helps quell my hunger.

I have the problem of not being able to lose weight, and I am always very hungry.

Tips on Hernia Prevention with Collin | Hollister

Hi Iggie,

Please don't say that it is as simple as not eating as much. I know that it is NOT! I am always hungry, and I generally eat 900 to 1,000 calories per day. That isn't very much. This isn't simple for me. It is very hard, and I am still not losing the weight. Unless you can really walk in the other person's shoes or in their body to understand what they are going through, it is not just a matter of lack of "control."

I have empathy with you, Brummy.

Hi redondo,

In essence, all bodies work the same, but due to genetics, hormones, and other factors, things can vary from person to person. Obesity is in my genes (according to my IBD doctor). I had lots of prednisone that gave me a permanent hormonal imbalance, and I have a few other things that contribute to my weight issues.

I know how to lose weight since it isn't rocket science... eat less than you burn. I am a very disciplined person, and I know that one cheat meal can and will cause weight gain. Since my own efforts weren't paying off, I went to multiple nutritionists over the years, hoping that one of them had the solution or new insights that would or could help me.

Since I had the ruptured bowel and parastomal hernia, I had multiple hernias even though I didn't lift more than 5 kg and only walked as a workout (other activities were too risky). I had a total of 3 hernias since October 2023. The pressure from the weight contributed to that. Therefore, my surgeon suggested WLS. He has known me for several years and has my entire medical file, so he knows everything health-related since birth.

WLS will also cause a change in hormones (ghrelin, etc.). And I think that was the change I needed since I didn't even eat that much. I tracked everything I ate and drank.

I had an extensive screening for the WLS, and even they said that with everything I was doing, it should work. I am in group sessions, and I was one of the slimmest people among them, but I am the one that lost the most weight so far.

Yesterday, the weight loss was at 26.8 kg.

I hope I was able to answer your question; if not, please let me know.

“FAT!”  The new n-word - let’s discriminate with impunity because fat people are weak, socially unacceptable, morally degenerate people and the authors of their own misfortune!  

Please Redondo you need more than 900 calories as it put your body into starvation.  You may need help slowly increasing your calories to get to the correct level for your body.  Get a complete check up to make sure your thyroid is actually working and a dietitian can help you design a diet where you aren’t starving.  There was a ballet dancer in a documentary I watched who at 54 yo had very little skeleton left from not eating properly to be thin for dancing.  She used a walker.  It was horrific.  Some people attack fat people because we are one of the last groups they think they can get away with being nasty to besides old people of course - doolally dotards!  Take care of yourself.

Are you doing any exercise, such as walking, running, skipping, jumping on the spot, or sit-ups? All of these can be done inside the home. Losing weight is not just about eating less; it's also about exercise. I am not having a go at you; I am just trying to help you.

Regards, IGGIE

This has been true for me as well. I have followed programs religiously - I need more calories to enhance my metabolism, just eat less - I barely eat. Move more limited effects - yoga, hiking, walking, strength training blah blah blah. Thyroid is fine, absorption horrendous - take IV vitamin infusions monthly - cholesterol fine. Pre-diabetic glucose levels since 1982 (coincides with Crohn's diagnosis) can go NPO for up to a month and lose no weight. For some of us, "normal" weight management techniques just don't work. I work with a nutritionist regularly, take berberine, eat mostly vegetarian soft solids with limited complex carbs. I work closely with a doctor on newer weight management options. Please don't feel shame from those who say "just" do this or that.