weight gain after colectomy

No it isn't. Gaining weight on 1200 calorie diet of fresh foods n I s u gar no lactose no gluten and now I'm up 35 pounds. Glad it worked for you but it doesn't work for everyone.

I'm not sure if you have had an answer to your posts but I have just read it. I have had my colon removed also due to polyposis and kept my weight stable until 3 months ago. I do know that I wasn't eating properly and shame on me. I am back trying to lose the weight I gained but it doesn't seem to want to cooperate. At any rate, what I have read about the hunger pains and knowing full well that you are not hungry is that you need to drink more water and perhaps you are slightly dehydrated. I have no idea if this is true or not, just what I read. I do know that most of your vitamins are absorbed in your small bowel and not the large. Basically the large bowel is a dumping ground but does produce good bacteria. I hope this helps. I don't profess to be an expert of any kind in this matter.

I have followed this post with extreme interest to see if what has worked for anyone. I had a colectomy, 1995 for UC at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Fazio. I was 25 (you do the math). Weight became an issue. At age 38, I set out on a complete quest. First disclaimer: everyone is different. I can only tell you what works for me. I tried every diet, every supplement, and finally a nutritionist. I was lucky to find one amazing nutritionist here in New Orleans. It cost me a pretty penny, but worth it. She pointed out that anyone can be malnourished. Eat fast food every day? You're malnourished. Food passes through me very quickly. (Note: I am on zero meds and have no issues other than frequent visits tot he bathroom, though nothing like when I had UC.)

She explained that if you're malnourished (certainly I was, despite eating my fair share), your body will store anything it can to get the nourishment it needs. Problem was: it was clinging to everything.

Again, I stress, see your doctor, see your nutritionist, everyone is different. She immediately put me on a liquid multivitamin and a calcium chew. (Note: in the years since, I have switched to two Flintstone chewables instead of the liquid, it works for me; I've also added a liquid B12). She switched me to 6 small meals a day, all 'high protein' (not low carb). I am 5'3", so I try to get 1200-1500 calories a day (walk 3x a week, weights 2x a week). She had me go easy on salad and raw veggies, switching to steamed veggies, as they are easier to digest.

The biggest factor was: I stuck with it. The 40 pounds came off in about 6 months (the last 15 being the toughest). Last year I was slipping into old ways, and I went to make an appointment. She had a 6 month wait period for an appointment. Watching tv one day while sick, I saw the infomercial for Food Lover's Diet. It was the exact same plan that my nutritionist put me on. I signed up, and now I use the online food diary and tools to keep me on track. I don't work for them, not paid to say that, I am just saying the online food tool worked for me (I never opened the exercise dvd's they sent.)

It worked for me. It took me a year of trial and error before I found a nutritionist willing to work with me, but I was determined. Obviously she's good since it now takes 6 months to get an appointment. I can't stress enough: see your doctor, see a nutritionist.

I have had the same problem. I have gained 28 lbs. I don't hardly eat that much at all im miserable. I can't stand to look at my self. I don't no what to do and im tired all the time.

I would love to hear how this has gone for you. My husband is having the same issues. Please update...

I had a total colectomy two years ago and have gained 45 pounds. With a vitamin cocktail it slows sometime but always starts back up. I exercise about four times a week. I don't know what is going on.

So glad you are in spectacular shape, others may not be so lucky with spinal fusions, abdominal surgeries, tumors, etc along with a total colectomy. Just because you are a male and you are in "spectacular" shape does not mean you have a right to judge others who are female and have hormones and menopause to deal with. Whether you are male or female, no two people are the same. I never had a struggle with weight gain before, ran 7 miles a day, played co-ed softball, volleyball, etc, but after 13 abdominal surgeries, spinal fusion with rods and colectomy, things change. Count your blessings

I had MYH polyposis and multiple precancerous polyps resulting in open sub total collectomy in 2015 and lost about 20 lbs right after surgery but have put that back on and am not eating anywhere near what I used to eat. When I eat, it goes straight through me it seems and I am about one year post surgery. I fear the weight gain will continue and am at a loss of how to stop it or if it is even possible. Foods I can tolerate are white foods, breads, potatoes, rice,,chicken, turkey, cheeses, crackers, etc. Any suggestions of how to control weight gain?

I also have put on a lot of weight since my colectomy. Interestingly enough, I eat less calories now than before, and I exercise more. I have heard from a few people that intestinal flora could be to blame. Unfortunately, we no longer have all the microbiota that others have. In fact, one physician told me that studies have shown that when the poop of a thin person is "transplanted" into another person (gross), the recipient is more likely to lose weight. If you find out more about any of this, please let me know. Thanks!

i too had a total colectomy will be 3 years this december and have steadily gained up to 30 pounds. I lift weights, do cardio 5 days a week plus super active w pets and yard work, i too have dropped all diet soda, tons of green tea and lemon water, and again opted for sx due to debilitating constipation, sx went well, no complications and yes i am at loss for how often i go to bathroom and (not trying be graffic), the number of times a day coupled with often the speed of going immediately after eating, i CANNOT understand the gain!!! if anyone has any ideas or suggestions please!!!

I'm so happy I'm not alone , everyone says to me why aren't you a size 2 , your food passes right through you! :( it makes me feel worthless

LOL! I think that on my 13 th trip to the bathroom or the quick trips immediately to bathroom after eating certain foods! please tell me , DO you have the answer why we are not? i have started adding resistant starches, (boiled potatoes, greenish bananas, found some literature on supporting the bactericides that were removed when large intestine was removed but will reside in small intestine now....maybe see if you can get any info on that? i have hit a wall have repeatedly searched for a pro or pre biotic that would support our gi tract better but with no luck! i know it is heart wrenching.....and i do cardio and lift almost two hours a day! i am very determined to figure this out! have a great night!

Dr Artem I'm a African American Female who was diagnosed in 1990 with Hirschsprung's disease. after giving birth to twins whom by the way were both diagnosed with the disease.. five years later I gave birth to my youngest child also was born with Hirschspung's disease.. two of my Children had total Colectomy's their ages are 21 and twenty seven.. do you have any suggestions on weight gain?

I had a near total colon resection due to cancer then a second surgery three months later to remove scar tissue. Both times I rapidly lost about 15-18 pounds just from the liquid diets and pain. When I began to eat normally but much less than before the weight gain was very rapid.
Part of the reason was the rapid weight loss because you lose quite a bit of muscle when weight loss is fast. Then you introduce more food and you put on body fat and fluid quickly. It's very frustrating to say the least.

I think that for me the slow digestion and lack of activity for a few months together with some kind of physiological change due to losing your colon Is to blame for weight gain. Your metabolic rate decreases substantially after low caloric intake and it's hard to get the metabolism back.
A physician who says just cut back on food and exercise is uninformed. The only way to make a change is to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day get plenty of sleep reduce stress and adequate exercise but not overdo it.
It's hard to have patience with yourself and some days I'm depressed but I know on good days that being kind to myself is very important.

This is the only post that makes me have hope