appendectomy and weight gain

@ lauraqb: I must admit I am somewhat relieved to see others have this same problem! You and a guest (the 37 yr. old woman who was 6 mo. post-appendectomy) come the closest to my exact symptoms. I am a 59 yr. old woman, 5'6", and was somewhat overweight at 145 lbs. when I went in the hospital for an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy on 9/25/11. It had ruptured, with peritonitis---so I was in the hospital almost a week, and ended up with pleurisy. Everything healed up nicely by November, and I was back down to a healthier 138 lbs.I eat a mostly vegetarian except for fish, and basically follow a South Beach-type low-carb, low sugar diet. Since menopause I have become mildly hypothyroid---which my doc says is common and can cause weight gain or make weight loss harder----my pre-menopause weight was mid-130's. I do not take any meds for the thyroid----keep working at doing things the natural way. My main exercise is plenty of brisk walking. About February I noticed I was putting on pounds (up to 155) even though my diet had not changed, and I also have a paunch like never before since post-pregnancy many years ago! A month ago I started back on SBD phase 1---and more regular walking---and here I am at 155 and have not lost one pound! This is really frustrating, and I cannot help feeling it has something to do with the appendectomy. So I did a Google search on "appendectomy and weight gain" and found this thread! I also DO have a vague feeling of something "different" with my metabolism at several months since the surgery. But I have seen no real medical evidence, articles or studies supporting the connection between appendectomy and weight gain.Have you learned anything about this or had any progress with your weight loss?

I used to be REALLY jacked before my appendix was removed when I was 22.  I literally was able to eat EVERYTHING, I ate fast food, pizzas, the most unhealthy things and I couldn't gain a pound.  I also worked out 3-5 days a week, had a 6 pack abs, I was in GREAT shape.  Now fast forward 3 years I am 25, I have gained 30 pounds since my appendix was removed.  I used to weigh 180, now I am 210+I keep telling my friends and family it was due to the appendix surgery they don't believe me!!!!  I am trying so hard to lose the weight I gained, I have been dieting so hard the last few months, I run 5 miles a day, work out 5 days a week and I have barely seen any weight loss.  I calculate my calories, eat a caloric defici, have my macros perfectly planned out, I have a professional meal plan.  None of it works, I am starting to feel my appendix being gone has a big impact on my body.  If anyone has any recommendations let me know!

I can understand. Our daughter had hers out one year ago and has gained a large amount of weight and because she is only 12 most doctors wont tell us anything.

I got my appendectomy almost 3 years ago and i started to gain waight in an alarming rate 30 lbs in the first 7-8 months and another 20 in the rest of the time i managed to slow and stop my wight gain with a lot of restrictions to my diet but if i eat normal meals that i was used to have before the operation for 1 day  i gain around a pound the next time i check the weight after2 days... what should i do?

I have put on 17 kgs in 18 months since having my appendix out.

Me too. I was just under 120 lbs for the last 10 years of my life (basically since I stopped growing). I never gained any weight, didn't exercise, ate a lot of fast food, but remained skinny anyway, it was great. Now I'm 29 and I had my appendix out about 5 months ago. I've gained 25 lbs in 5 months. I can't fit into any of my clothes that I wore pre-appendectomy. My diet hasn't changed (it's been a little healthier in the last year if anything) and I've been exercising more now than ever before in my life, but it's like my weight goes up every single day no matter what. I can't understand why I'd gain 0 lbs in 10 years and then 25 lbs in 5 months! It's awful! The appendectomy is the only thing that changed, but I can't understand how having a useless part of the intestine removed could have anything to do with ridiculous unexplained weight gain.

Gosh this does seem to be a proble,.  Me too six months ago I went into hospital with a perforated appendix which went gangerous.  I was a comfortable 14 now and size 12 dress, it has taken a long time to reacover, but as you do you get on.  But I cannot lose weight or gert back to my former size now a dress size 16 very distssed and dieting like made. Live on fish and veg.fruit mainly it seems to me.   Should I have a heavy meal, apart from feeling really ill I gain weight instantly.  I can truly say I am very worried about this and cannot believe that this appendix thing can do this to people.  The doctor just said ' Oh diet my dear eat more veg and fruit. I do not mind this if perhaps in a year it went and I have got back to my normal self.  But somehow I think this is as good as it gets.  Has anyone come back a few years down the line with this weight gain and lost it. There must be doctors who have come accross this weight gain thing and can explain it. It some how to me as a women feel as though it is like taking hormone replacement  pills such as eastrogen.  It does sdeem strange though I have seen other people who have said to me oh I had my appendix removed and they aa slim, what is going on.

I had my appendix removed on valentines day 2010 when i was 16, and since then I've gained over a stone! Man, its been a tough road, but I've not been as skinny since and its hard to lose this weight.  I have a theory though! fear not!I think because they cut through our stomach muscles during the operation, after, we had to work hard to retighten them to their former glory, but because we were ill and obviously couldnt do strenuous activity, we gained the podge and since then we've been unable to get our stomach muscles to fully comply after we abused them.   haha, thats my idea anyway - hope it helps, and I'm glad Im not in the boat alone!

I think you need to focus on your diet. I had my appendix removed January 24, 2013. Pre-surgery I was weighing on average 185-187 lbs. 6 weeks later on March 8, the scale read 175.5 lbs. I feel better than ever. I have concentrated on eating healthy M-F.  Alot of veggies, fruit, and nuts for snacks. Do not eat before bed. Ever!! Make yourself eat dinner soon after school or work. Relax your diet on the weekends and enjoy the foods you really love. That big cheeseburger or steak tastes even better, because all week you are looking forward to it. But! Monday morning its back to the diet. Even if you are not a big exerciser, a leisurley evening walk will make you feel great.

I've lost 42lb in the 4 months since my surgery, but I have been trying. I was borderline obese before my surgery and now I am normal, I've never felt healthy or enjoyed being active before now so it seems losing my appendix has really helped scare me into doing something about my health!

Im pretty sure Ive figured out why we are gaining weight uncontrollably after appendix removal :) I too lost my appendix about 9 mnths ago and pre op I was loosing post baby wright then the ooeration came and since then ive been gaining weight and totally confused considering I eat strictly organic fresh food, no grains, grass fed meat bla bla. Shortly after my appendix was removed I read a report on the IMPORTANCE of the appendix and why we actually need it as it is vital to our health. The study showed that the appendix is a place where the good gut bacteria go to rest and reproduce when there is an overload if bad bacteria in the gut. So if theres nowhere for the good bacteria to reproduce in marge amounts to conquer the bad bacteria it struggles severly. An important thing to note is that good bacteria plays an important role in weight loss...so I am incorporating a tradition diet of fermented foods (probiotics), kefir (high source of probiotics) and store bought probiotics. Many different strains are needed so im using a wide variety :) good luck and keep your gut nourished :)

I had mine out when I was 2-3 years old I'm 14 now and I can't get rid of the fat even though I eat healthy and work out

hi I was wondering what happened with u I had appendix surgery 3 days ago and already 6 pounds heavier! !!! how come

You will gain aproximately 25Kg's over the next two years.

I had my appendix taken out about 4 years ago.  It ruptured and I got peritonitous from it.....anyways, that was the WORST thing I ever went through.  I almost died.  I waited at the ER to have my emergencey operation for 18 hours....apparently there was only 1 sergeon there who could operate.....finally got it out and spent a week in the hospital hooked up to iv antibiotics......boy did that do a number on me!  Ruined my whole system, got candida from it that almost killed me, and I am still fighting the candida to this day.  It is bad and it won't go away, I am on a good diet as well.  Anyways, yes!  I gained weight.  I was so in shape and had a small waist and butt....I gained weight in my stomach-  i have a belly now, and anytime i eat anything i get a big bloated belly.  Oh its terrible.......havent been the same since my appendix was removed and ruptured.  Having it removed has changed me completely, i get depression now and feel fat.  I weighed 104 pounds before and I am 5'3......now I weigh 115 but the sad part is that isn't much weight to most people, however,  it's all fat that I gained, so I look chubby.  It's weird because it is flab that I gained not muscle.