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What Causes Increased Weight Loss After Colectomy?
Question: I had a full colectomy in May 2012 and seem to be gaining weight no matter how well I eat. Could this be caused by the loss of my large intestine?
Brief Answer:
Need work up and management, unlikely to gain weight with colectomy
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. I believe there is contradiction in the statement. usually a colectomy patient or any other patient with resected bowel has complication of losing weight till the extent of cachexia and muscle wasting. And with 12 to 16 bowel movements a day which is common sequelae after colectomy gaining weight is more difficult.
However calorie intake and absorption is in small intestine so that may be the reason. I want you to reduce your calorie intake to around 2000 per day and not more. Prefer food with slowest colonic transit like fiber, constipated diet, use antidiarrheals like loperamide etc to reduce the bowel movements, Eat small frequent meals instead of few larger ones, avoid dairy and fatty products for the relief too.
Get a baseline profile though as what we might be considering weight gain could actually be protein loss presenting as swelling and edema. A complete baseline of renal function, liver functions, thyroid functions and blood work up to rule out causes of weight gain.
talk to a nutritionist and let them devise a food plan for you. Exercise regularly. Adapting above mentioned measures will reduce the bloating you complained about. Talk to a gastroenterologist and let them have a look.
If it turned out to be weight gain, then that can be easily managed with reducing calories intake and regular exercise, premeal cold water drink to reduce satiety, going for high protein low carb diet etc will help.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Need work up and management, unlikely to gain weight with colectomy
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. I believe there is contradiction in the statement. usually a colectomy patient or any other patient with resected bowel has complication of losing weight till the extent of cachexia and muscle wasting. And with 12 to 16 bowel movements a day which is common sequelae after colectomy gaining weight is more difficult.
However calorie intake and absorption is in small intestine so that may be the reason. I want you to reduce your calorie intake to around 2000 per day and not more. Prefer food with slowest colonic transit like fiber, constipated diet, use antidiarrheals like loperamide etc to reduce the bowel movements, Eat small frequent meals instead of few larger ones, avoid dairy and fatty products for the relief too.
Get a baseline profile though as what we might be considering weight gain could actually be protein loss presenting as swelling and edema. A complete baseline of renal function, liver functions, thyroid functions and blood work up to rule out causes of weight gain.
talk to a nutritionist and let them devise a food plan for you. Exercise regularly. Adapting above mentioned measures will reduce the bloating you complained about. Talk to a gastroenterologist and let them have a look.
If it turned out to be weight gain, then that can be easily managed with reducing calories intake and regular exercise, premeal cold water drink to reduce satiety, going for high protein low carb diet etc will help.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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