health issues making it hard

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sds76
sds76 Posts: 215 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I've lost weight before, 70 lbs actually. But yes I gained it back.
I want so bad to get back on track but don't know how.
I had gall bladder surgery 1.5 years ago and another procedure done at the same time on my bile duct. Since then I have dealt with severe stomach issues. I don't want to give TMI but what it results in is me not being able to eat AT ALL when I am not home. I work 7-3 5 days a week so I do not eat anything at all till I am home from work, i do drink water but limit it to 1 16oz bottle till i am home. Then I eat but won't eat after 8pm so that I'm able to rest without stomach pains. So 5 days a week I can only eat from 3-8p. Then when I do eat...um...well...it doesn't stay with me long. I am seeing a dr and he is doing a lot of tests and try this and that etc. But so far nothing has worked. How do I eat properly so that I can lose weight and have the energy to work out.

Replies

  • star1407
    star1407 Posts: 588 Member
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    I don't feel confident to advise you because of your medical issues but I just wanted to send you a hug and say sorry you're going through this. The only advice you should listen to really is medical professionals and you should definitely push for specialist referral

    I'm sorry not to be any help but if I gave you the wrong advice and it made you worse that would be awful. Do keep us posted on how you get on though xx
  • kyrannosaurus
    kyrannosaurus Posts: 350 Member
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    Because you have a medical condition you should be seeking professional advice to make sure you are receiving adequate nutrition. I'm glad your doctor is running tests but I would recommend consulting a dietitian to get advice on what is the best foods to eat with your condition to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need.
  • SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage
    SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage Posts: 2,671 Member
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    kyrannosaurus wrote: »
    Because you have a medical condition you should be seeking professional advice to make sure you are receiving adequate nutrition. I'm glad your doctor is running tests but I would recommend consulting a dietitian to get advice on what is the best foods to eat with your condition to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need.
    Sound advice. Given your issues, I would worry that your body is not operating efficiently enough to derive enough nutrients from your food.
  • Emilia777
    Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
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    ^ What they said, and also my sympathies - I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I truly hope you and your doctor(s) find a solution, and soon. Don’t be discouraged, and don’t give up hope! I wish you all the best!
  • sds76
    sds76 Posts: 215 Member
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    I will ask my dr if he can refer me to a dietitian., hopefully quickly. Thank you
  • TheLegendaryBrandonHarris
    TheLegendaryBrandonHarris Posts: 502 Member
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    I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2006.

    1. Get a notebook.
    2. Keep notes in it. What you can eat. What you can't eat. What happens when you eat this or that, and how soon thereafter.
    3. Pay attention to your body. As you learn more, you'll recognize the signs of an impending flare-up. Go NPO for a while. Nothing per oral. Water only.
    4. Talk to your physician about corticosteroids. They help. I use triamcinolone daily.
    5. Chew your food. Seriously. Chew. Your. Food. It matters.
    6. Drink water with your food. Your guts are inflamed, and making them deal with food without the benefit of water makes things far worse.
    7. Cut down on oils and fats. Pork, fried foods, bacon (pork, I know), cooking oils, butter. Use VERY sparingly.
    8. When things get tough, processed food helps. Noodles, fake mashed potatoes, frozen dinners all seem to work OK.

    I'll post more if I remember anything. Best of luck. You'll get right before long.
    Brandon
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
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    BinkyBonk wrote: »
    kyrannosaurus wrote: »
    Because you have a medical condition you should be seeking professional advice to make sure you are receiving adequate nutrition. I'm glad your doctor is running tests but I would recommend consulting a dietitian to get advice on what is the best foods to eat with your condition to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need.
    Sound advice. Given your issues, I would worry that your body is not operating efficiently enough to derive enough nutrients from your food.

    How would a failure to absorb food cause a weight gain? That would obviously cause a weight loss.

    OP, many people choose to do exactly what you're forced to do; it's called intermittent fasting. It does not change the basic equation of calories in versus calories out. You are eating too much if you are not losing weight.

    You've had a cholecystectomy and either an ERCP or a CBD exploration I gather; none of these things cause weight gain, only over-eating does.
  • TheLegendaryBrandonHarris
    TheLegendaryBrandonHarris Posts: 502 Member
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    Since January 1 I've lost 52 pounds. I have essentially Zero Crohn's symptoms unless I do something stupid, like eat Burger King...sigh...like I did last night and this morning. Knowing what to do and doing what you should do are often easier said than done lol

    The main thing I recommend is monitoring what you eat, how much of it you eat, how fast or slow you eat, and what the effects are. It's not fair that you should have to do that, but on well. Life sucks sometimes. What'll happen is you'll learn your body and be able to use that knowledge.
  • TheLegendaryBrandonHarris
    TheLegendaryBrandonHarris Posts: 502 Member
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    Zedeff, what happens is the gut does not absorb certain nutrients effectively. In my case, despite a diverse diet, I must take supplements of calcium and B-vitamins. Perhaps that is what BinkyBonk was referring to.
  • Zedeff
    Zedeff Posts: 651 Member
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    TheLegendaryBrandonHarris wrote: »
    Zedeff, what happens is the gut does not absorb certain nutrients effectively. In my case, despite a diverse diet, I must take supplements of calcium and B-vitamins. Perhaps that is what BinkyBonk was referring to.

    Except that is not true. For starters, you have Crohns and the OP had her gallbladder out; these are two very different conditions. With a cholecystectomy you still have bile salts in the GI tract, so there is no malabsorbtion issue.

    Some people have bile salt malabsorbtion (which may be what the OP is describing), but this is not a nutritional deficiency and could easily be treated with cholestyramine.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
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    I am a little bit confused OP. If you cannot eat most of the day and then cannot absorb food, how much are you eating in this short window to not lose weight? Maybe it is an issue of eating the wrong food (too calorie dense, something your body has become intolerant to etc) ?
  • sds76
    sds76 Posts: 215 Member
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    Zedeff, Sorry for the misunderstanding. I said I gained the weight back but am having trouble losing it now that I am dealing with stomach issues. The gain has nothing to do with my stomach issues. It has to do with eating wrong and not exercising as much. I am trying to lose again now, but I am having trouble eating the way I did before when I lost weight.
    I also have hypothyroidism that I take medication for(for 13 years now) but it has been wonky for the last year, so they have been adjusting that as well. My body is all out of whack right now, stomach issues, thyroid problems, non-existant period, Extreme fatigue, Etc.
    I do keep a journal of food and symptoms. On a work day I eat about 850-1000 calories. I know that should be higher but it's hard to eat when you are in pain and to eat that much in a short period if time. I think that's pretty good for the amount of time I have to eat.
    I'm not gaining weight now(the gain was earlier), just not losing. And I deal with extreme bloatness.
    Also, it's not just fatty foods. I can eat a salad(no dressing) and still have issues. I have found no safe food. Even the act of drinking causes flare ups, which is why I even limit my water during the day. I also have flare ups when I don't eat anything but not as often.
    But I think the prior responses were right. I should talk to a nutritionist in addition to my dr.
    oh and cholestyramine(sp) did not help me.
    I thought I found the cure with strong probiotics but it only lasted a week and a half.
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 672 Member
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    I can only see this through the eyes of my own GI problems, but I'd ask your doctor and dietician about a fodmap elimination. I'm getting my gallbladder out soon (just had a hida scan last week), and my doctor suggested the fodmap elimination because I've been thought some significant trauma, which might point to ibs. But I've been in pain for 15 years. And I'm a binge eater with a sweet tooth for ice cream, so despite being in pain and trying to "diet," I've yoyo'd my weight up and ruined my digestive system (strong dialysis and transplant meds helped). I don't like the idea of having an illness that might be all in my head, but I've felt less gurgly since reducing fodmaps. If you're sensitive or have high anxiety, it might be helpful to look at south your doctor while doing all the other tests.
  • futuremanda
    futuremanda Posts: 816 Member
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    sds76 wrote: »
    Zedeff, Sorry for the misunderstanding. I said I gained the weight back but am having trouble losing it now that I am dealing with stomach issues. The gain has nothing to do with my stomach issues. It has to do with eating wrong and not exercising as much. I am trying to lose again now, but I am having trouble eating the way I did before when I lost weight.
    I also have hypothyroidism that I take medication for(for 13 years now) but it has been wonky for the last year, so they have been adjusting that as well. My body is all out of whack right now, stomach issues, thyroid problems, non-existant period, Extreme fatigue, Etc.
    I do keep a journal of food and symptoms. On a work day I eat about 850-1000 calories. I know that should be higher but it's hard to eat when you are in pain and to eat that much in a short period if time. I think that's pretty good for the amount of time I have to eat.
    I'm not gaining weight now(the gain was earlier), just not losing. And I deal with extreme bloatness.
    Also, it's not just fatty foods. I can eat a salad(no dressing) and still have issues. I have found no safe food. Even the act of drinking causes flare ups, which is why I even limit my water during the day. I also have flare ups when I don't eat anything but not as often.
    But I think the prior responses were right. I should talk to a nutritionist in addition to my dr.
    oh and cholestyramine(sp) did not help me.
    I thought I found the cure with strong probiotics but it only lasted a week and a half.

    I can't comment on your medical issues, but just wanted to make sure that this point was clear: You don't have to eat in any particular way at all to lose weight. Your calorie count alone should suffice. All that advice about eating small meals regularly, or not eating after certain times, or eating mainly veggies, or whatever you've heard -- it's all unnecessary for weight loss. The way you used to eat to lose weight likely isn't relevant anymore -- it was just one way of doing it, and now you have health issues.

    So *however* you need to eat to feel as well as you can and work it into your day, do that, and don't feel guilty or stress about it. It's the total calorie count that will get you weight loss. Work all your other habits and food decisions around everything else -- enjoyment, satiety, wellness, energy, etc.
  • MimiMayRR
    MimiMayRR Posts: 19 Member
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    This sounds like textbook IBD! Make sure to be persistent in looking for answers, and I second the vote for trying out a low FODMAPs diet. It works for me. I lost about 20 pounds without trying last year due to IBD; now I'm healing (yay!) but I'm also gaining weight (boo!) so I've started counting calories + following a low FODMAPs diet. Now I eat food that doesn't hurt me but I'm also (slowly, steadily, healthily) losing weight.

    Good luck and hang in there!

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