Losing Weight After Surgery: Seeking Advice and Experiences

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. I had an emergency seven-hour surgery on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, to have my full colon removed and an ileostomy. I was in the hospital for four weeks, and during that time, thanks to the terrible food offered by the NHS and the fact that I was in a hospital on special measures (Wrexham Maelor) that couldn't supply the correct orders, with muscle wastage and lack of a quality diet, my weight plummeted from a fit and healthy 70 kg to a skeletal-looking 55.5 kg. (Side note: I am gluten-free and had uncontrollable bad ulcerative colitis, my first-ever flare-up.)

I have been out of the hospital for a full week and have been eating very well, hitting between 2,000 calories and 2,400 calories every day, with high protein content, fats, carbs, and everything needed, but I somehow have lost weight down to 53.5 kg. Has anybody else experienced this? I am completely baffled. Is this a temporary glitch? I will also try asking the dietician team from the hospital, but they were not exactly helpful while I was there, so I have little expectation.

Cheers to anyone who responds, even if it's to say hello!

Hi mate,

It's most likely temporary. Like you, I had emergency surgery for uncontrollable UC. Mine was after a second flare. My weight had already gone down from 9 stone to 7 and then went down to 6 after the op. It took over a year to get back to 9 stone again. Keep eating, and the weight will come back. If you want the name of a private dietitian in the UK, please feel free to DM.

All the best for your recovery.🙏

Hi Henry,

Thank you so much for your response; this was exactly what I was hoping for—someone who has been there!

I will definitely DM for that info. I really do not trust the Wrexham Maelor dieticians; they let me down so many times. How long ago was your op, if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers, Ryan

Hero Ryper

Welcome from Oz 🇦🇺

I would suggest your body is still in shock at this stage. I had much the same story after the major op. I lost some 15 kg initially, then after easing into more solid food, I ate everything that wasn't nailed down. It was an enjoyable period, as I recall 😅, but it took me two to three months to get back to near normal regarding weight. Just keep it up; there isn't much else to do. Maybe add a protein drink too.

Hi Ryan,

No worries at all. I had my op in April 2024. I was really worried about my weight after the op and thought I wouldn't put back on what I lost. In my case, I was still frightened to eat because of the problems with UC before the surgery. But the weight came back, and I'm now eating nearly everything I did before, albeit with a lot more chewing! 😃

Tips on Hernia Prevention with Collin | Hollister

Hi Axl, 

Thank you kindly for responding! Yeah, protein drinks are on my menu. I have been smashing the Yfood full meal protein drinks. In all fairness, I am eating really well; I think that is why I didn't expect a dip in weight. I did wonder if it was the body still going through the shock of it all. Hopefully, I can follow your path and get something close to my correct weight in 3 to 6 months!

My brother is heading off to Oz in a few weeks for the cricket, the lucky bugger!

Cheers, Ryan

Hi Henry,

The chewing is something I am having to get used to. Before all this, I was always very active—running, hiking, lifting weights—so I was eating like a hoover to compensate for the active calorie burn. I sit at the table each day now and watch my father eat twice as fast as I do. It's very strange to see!

G-Day Ryper,

Chewing and chewing again is the name of the game. Just let one big piece get through, and you have a blockage.

Ask as many questions as you need answers for.

Regards, IGGIE

Cheers Iggie, I was in the hospital next to a guy with a blockage. It did not look like fun; he was in for a day case and ended up there for over a week!

Hello,

Watch out lifting weights... or anything slightly heavy. Coughing/sneezing too. It's very easy to develop a parastomal hernia. I got mine at 4 months post-op. No one at the hospital warned me. I now wear a support belt. I should have been wearing one as soon as I came home from the hospital. Wearing a belt is no guarantee you won't get a hernia, but it can't hurt. Wearing a belt, my hernia has remained mild.

I was 198 pounds (89.81 kg) at the start of my medical adventure... 132 pounds (59.87 kg) when I was discharged from the hospital. 3 years later, I'm 160 pounds (72.57 kg). I do eat a lot less and exercise more. Had to buy new clothes.😊

I had four surgeries in a two-year period, along with a couple of long hospitalizations for obstructions. At my lowest, I went down to 87 lbs, and I was skeletal. It took a long time to gain the weight back, a couple of years, in fact! I pretty much ate anything I wanted, which was nice, but it was still frustrating. Now, I'm back to normal, which for me means I have to watch what I eat, or I will gain weight. I don't know why it took so long for my system to reset itself. I would say, just keep doing what you are doing, and it will come.

Terry

Hi Beachboy,

Yeah, I heard about that. Be careful; even stretching for a cup of coffee, the guy in the bed next to me in the hospital said. Is the hernia painful?

I would like to get back to being fit and strong, so I think I need to have a conversation about getting a belt sorted ASAP. I see the stoma nurses Thursday, so I shall see what they say.

Were you a big muscular guy at the start? That is a crazy amount of weight to lose. I wasn't huge to begin with; I was fit/lean, so I have basically lost all my muscle mass and any remaining fat stores.

How long did it take you to get the weight back on?

I am just happy there are people who have already done what I have to do; it makes me more confident that doing what I am doing will pay dividends!

Thank you for the information!

Cheers, Ryan

Hi Terry,

That is the bit that worries me. I want to get some weight on ASAP, mainly for comfort. The lack of fat and muscle is quite uncomfortable on my back and hips. I am eating a lot, so hopefully I will see some results. I guess all I can do is eat and wait and see! As you say, it will come!

Cheers, Ryan

I was a skinny swimmer/surfer for 40 years. I gained a good-sized belly after I turned 45 from eating too much.

The hernia doesn't hurt at all. It just pushes my stoma slightly to one side and raises my colostomy upwards a bit.

It took a year and 6 months to bring my weight back to 160 lbs, which I have maintained.

Though it's not the way to do it, I did like becoming skinny again after my hospitalization and surgery.

Hi Ryan

Regarding hernia belts, you can actually get custom-made support belts or underwear under the NHS. The company that does this is called CUI; they have someone from their team come to your house to measure you, and they send the prescription to your GP to sign. The NHS is not generous in how much they give you, but once CUI has your measurements, you can order as much as you want directly from them. Their support wear is great. I also got swimwear from them that I really enjoy; it hides my bag really well.

My stoma nurse was the one who arranged the appointment for me, but you can also call them and do it yourself if your stoma nurse doesn't do it for you.

Their website is cuiwear.com

Hope this helps you a bit.

Hi Beachboy, I can see where the name comes from!

I have been there; in my 20s, I was a wannabe rockstar and really wasn't living very healthily, eating fast foods and drinking way too much. I got up to 90 kg, and after seeing a photo of myself looking pregnant, I got my act together.

I have never actually tried surfing. I wonder if there's anywhere near me where I can have a go? I might make that a goal for when I am back to something close to fit and healthy again! It will have to be summer; the UK isn't exactly warm.

I'm glad it doesn't hurt. I was nervous about getting a hernia. To be fair, it's under 3 weeks since surgery, and I am nervous about every twinge I feel at the moment!

Cheers, Ryan

Hi Clara,

That is great information! I think having the ability to order custom-fitting gear is going to be key to being comfortable. I will peruse their website now, see what is what!

To be fair, I would rather the NHS fix the hospitals right now than spend money on my customized gear. My local hospital is Wrexham Maelor, and it was literally in the news a few days ago asking the Welsh Government to help it out of its mismanaged state, and trust me, it is badly run! NHS Wales is a car crash!

Thank you so much for the information!

Cheers, Ryan

I went through a no-appetite phase leading up to and after surgeries and struggled with the typical go-tos like protein shakes.

My go-to is ice cream. Eat lots of it if your system can tolerate it. Enjoy! 🙂

I do like ice cream (who doesn't?), but I came off lactose as it was causing me problems with the UC. I will probably try again soon; no colon should hopefully mean no UC! I have been lucky so far; everything I have eaten, I have been fine with, and I am starting to eat a lot.

Cheers, Ryan

Multiple surgeries over the last 30 years, and I always start to crave steak and ale pies when I've been on the "NHS diet." Ideally, from a specific farm shop here in the Northeast. I now make sure I have them in the freezer before any planned admission!

A few years ago, I was sent home with the Ensure drinks. I only found out on discharge that my surgeon had written me up for them, and I was supposed to be offered them at each med round... I had had only one while in the hospital!

Welcome to the forum. I think once you gain muscle mass back you will gain weight. In the meantime you can try drinking high protein shakes. It can be a product of your recent surgery. How is your output? Do you have high volume liquid output? Be sure you are drinking enough fluids. Electrolyte fluids not just water.