The topic at hand is about managing weight loss after having a colon removal and ileostomy surgery. Pat, who recently underwent this procedure, is experiencing significant weight loss and is concerned about whether this will stop and if it's possible to regain normal weight. Here are some helpful insights and advice for those in a similar situation:

1. It's quite common to lose weight after surgery, but many people find that they gradually regain it over several months as their body heals.

2. Keeping yourself well-hydrated is crucial. An ileostomy can lead to fluid loss, which can contribute to weight loss and make you feel weaker.

3. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals or snacks. Opt for calorie-dense and easily digestible foods like protein shakes, cottage cheese, peanut butter, and higher-calorie supplements.

4. If you can tolerate them, consider adding digestible protein or fat supplements, such as Sustagen or other commercial nutrition drinks, to your diet.

5. Probiotics might help with digestion. Some people have found products like "Align" to be beneficial.

6. Keep an eye on nutrient absorption:
- It's important to have comprehensive blood work done, especially to check for iron levels, as iron deficiency can occur when parts of the small intestine are removed.
- A simple way to check at home is to see if regular or enteric-coated tablets appear intact in your pouch. If they do, it might indicate malabsorption.

7. If you're struggling to gain weight or if your output is very high, talk to your doctor about advanced nutrition support:
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) through a PICC line can provide essential calories, fats, vitamins, and trace elements intravenously. Some people have found that nightly portable TPN helps reverse severe weight loss.

8. Make sure to rest, reduce stress, and avoid excessive worrying, as these can contribute to weight loss.

9. Seek professional guidance. An enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse, a dietitian or nutritionist associated with your hospital, or your surgeon can help create a personalized plan and intervene early if your weight continues to drop.