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What Causes Sudden Weight Loss Post A Colostomy Surgery?
Question: My mother has had a colostomy surgery. She is eating and drinking protein shakes. She is however losing considerable weight. Is there any safe alternative she can use to put on the weight.
Brief Answer:
How much weight has she lost?
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will like to know how much weight she has lost and what the current weight and height are. The best way to put on weight is to eat more calories. If she has the appetite to eat and yet not maintaining here weight, we might need to increase her daily intake. Food rich in proteins are ideal fro this. Shakes are good and you might need to increase the quantity only.
Also, how much liquids are coming out through the colostomy pouch? DO you think she might not be digesting the food properly?
What was the reason for the colostomy? It might represent a disease state that needs much calories and might explain why she's losing weight despite eating enough.
I hope to hear from you. These response will help in providing more detailed guidance to to whether we need more calories or we need to identify something else and fix.
Waiting...
How much weight has she lost?
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will like to know how much weight she has lost and what the current weight and height are. The best way to put on weight is to eat more calories. If she has the appetite to eat and yet not maintaining here weight, we might need to increase her daily intake. Food rich in proteins are ideal fro this. Shakes are good and you might need to increase the quantity only.
Also, how much liquids are coming out through the colostomy pouch? DO you think she might not be digesting the food properly?
What was the reason for the colostomy? It might represent a disease state that needs much calories and might explain why she's losing weight despite eating enough.
I hope to hear from you. These response will help in providing more detailed guidance to to whether we need more calories or we need to identify something else and fix.
Waiting...
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
She had colon cancer where they had to remove a tumor near her rectal area. She is 5-5 in height. She weighed just about 140 right after the surgery which was about a month ago. Now she is now weighing 130. Her stool is coming out more solid and she would stool in her bag once or twice a day. I think her food is not being fully digested in her body.
Brief Answer:
Solid stools is hardly sggestive of poor digestion!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
For now I will suggest that you increase her intake. Always try to provide as much proteins and calories as possible. If the increased calories fail to stabilize or improve her weight, then we will certainly consider doing a stool exam to evaluate of there are findings suggestive of indigestion.
Monitor her weight weekly and keep me updated.
Until next, I wish you both well.
Solid stools is hardly sggestive of poor digestion!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
For now I will suggest that you increase her intake. Always try to provide as much proteins and calories as possible. If the increased calories fail to stabilize or improve her weight, then we will certainly consider doing a stool exam to evaluate of there are findings suggestive of indigestion.
Monitor her weight weekly and keep me updated.
Until next, I wish you both well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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