Struggling with Weight Loss After Surgery and Chemo

I'm thin to start with, 5'4" and was about 128lb before surgery. Now I am 116. I'm scared cause that isn't healthy and I habe chemo coming up and I lose weight with chemo. How can  I gain weight? Thanks.

Gemd,

  I was 140 going into the hospital and came out at 118.  The doc put me on Ensure and/or Boost with protein along with regular meals.  It might take a bit for your body to adjust to absorbing nutrients but it will.  I now weigh about 150 lbs.

  Probably will be tough with chemo if you're prone to getting sick.  Just try to stay hydrated.  You can always throw some carbs in there if you truly want to gain weight.  I know a hundred women that would love to weigh 116...lol

  Hang in there.  Your body will adjust.

Bain

I do kinda joke that I'm back to my high school weight when most would kill to be as such. Also until today I was on the beige diet post surgery (low fiber bland beige foods) so I was stuck with chicken nuggets, potatoes, bread, cookies. Many love those foods. I dont. I love greens, beans, vegetarian things, Indian food, middle eastern foods, salad. Finally I get to try those foods out so maybe I will gain some weight. I will try ensure but hope to find a low or no sugar and no fake sugar version.

But yeah chemo puts my appetite to where anything flavorful or healthy tastes gross so it's back to the beige diet. Well I get s new chemo this time, a hardcore one...not too happy about it but oh well. I'm cancer free right now so that's worth something.

Yes, you will lose more wight with Chemo. I got as low as 112, but I'm only 5'2' (I have a great set of knockers).

Although my Oncologist gave me pills for nausea I never used even one--I was so sick of all the pills, pushing and potions.  I wore Sea-bands on both wrists--removing them only for surgery.  B4 cancer I used to do a lot of sailing, and although I was never prone to nausea, they were always around just in case. Never needed them on the water but knuckled under due to cancer. Get a pair, read the directions and follow them exactly--you must find the correct spot on your wrists. I've never met anyone who knew how to use them and said they did't work.  They now make them for pregnant women who are having problems with morning sickness.   You may find that once your nausea is gone, you'll be able to eat.  I was starving all the time durign my Chemo but eating about 5.000 calories a day. Still I lost weight, my red and white blood cell count tanked, resulting in three blood transfunsions and whatever they call that shot they give you for your white cell count. You know the one that makes every bone in your body scream in pain?  Like Bain, after Chemo I was told to gain weight, even though I was still eating enough for two grown men.  It took a little time, but as the Chemo wore down my weight started coming back slowly, eventually I really started to gain, so I reset my calorie count to something normal (I was still hungry all the time).  The weight returned naturally, and now I am trying to lose as I have exceeded my correct weight of 115-120.  My point (at last) yes, your weight loss may be severe, so make this a priority with you Docs and infusion people. They know so much and have seen everything.  I am sure there is something they can give you to slow down your loss.  Keep us posted, and good health after the lousy Chemo.  Cheers, dls

Dls- what are you doing to get back to a lower weight? I have an ileostomy and it’s sometimes hard eating healthy/low fat. Not to meantion the bad habits I taught myself of eating whatever I want!

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister