Hi all, I have had my ileostomy for almost 6 yrs. I lost a lot of weight during my time in the hosptial. However after my lengthy recovery I managed to put back on some weight. Over the last couple of years though I have continued to gain and I now weigh more than I have ever weighed. It is very distressing to me especially since at one point in my life (a very long time ago) I was an anorexic. I have done Weight Watchers before and successfully lost about 36 lbs. When I tried WW again I lost about 16 lbs and then just got stuck there. Now I have gained back that 16 lbs and probably more. It is very discouraging. Do any of you have a similar experience with weight gain and difficulty with losing it? I am curious to hear others experience with this and how they handle it. Thanks
I lost quite a bit of weight while in hospital too. My weight stayed off for a few months but then I started gaining again and have gained back all the weight and then some. For a long time I was afraid to exercise because of my colostomy (in June 2011) so went to an athletic therapist who helped create an exercise plan suited to my challenges. I am trying to focus on losing weight and trying to lead a healthy lifestyle with a goal of losing about 40 pounds. Unfortunately, it is more difficult to lose weight in our 40s and especially after menopause.
Have you been able to consult with your doctor in case there is a medical reason you aren't losing - like thyroid issues?
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Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB
Please send your weight to me! I was 185 but due to many problems went down to 126. I want to get back to at leas 175 but struggle to get over 160. I struggle with appetite and if I eat health it is hard to put on weight. Any adeas on how to increase appetite? (and no , not pot)
Don
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