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Suggest Treatment For Excessive Weight Gain

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Posted on Tue, 10 Jan 2017
Question: I'm lung cancer survivor - at the moment I'm cancer free( non small cell)-have been diagnosed in 2013 and had two surgeries.One in July 2013 when doctors removed two lobes from the right lung.Next surgery, same year in end of August and one lobe was removed.I was kept in hospital- UofM XXXXXXX Arbor-for over a month and then sent to rehab and finally went home sometime in October.I had radiation afterwards and apparently CT's were clean.My immediate problem is weight gain- it seems over night.I have very hard time exercising for obvious reasons and until now I have been on steroids inhalator.My weight went up over 20 pounds and I can't lose any of it which not only makes me feel extremely uncomfortable but also is very hard for me to carry the excess weight.I have scoliosis, spine arthritis and osteoporosis.After hospitalizations I was at my normal weight of 105 pounds and now I'm between 125-130!!!!! at 5 ,1 and 67 years old.If you have any advice how to get rid of excess fat, I would appreciate it very much! Thank you for your time XXXXXXX
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may need to see a dietician. Low fat/low cal or low carb diet

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

As you stated, it would be very hard for you to carry around the excess weight.

Though exercise would understandably difficult, you tried diet changes, this is good because it is actually suppose to be somewhat easier to lose weight by diet alone.

Limiting your intake by eating very little may have slowed down your metabolism and this is the reason that you would not have lost weight this way.
Some fruits and vegetables are high in carbs and may have also prevented weight loss.

You would need to consider trying either the low fat/low calorie diet plan or the low carb diet plan.
Choose the one that would work bests for you because you would need to stick to it for at least a few weeks.

You should review recipes from each type of diet plan online and see which would be more feasible.
They may both cause the same amount of weight loss in the end though the low carb causes higher initial weight loss.

Both would require reduction/elimination of most fruit juices and normal calorie sodas.

The low fat/low calorie would also mean using more vegetables, salads, fruits. These should be half the plate of a main meal. The meat/fish may need to be reduced somewhat depending on what you currently use.
You would need to count your calories daily but their are online counters that can estimate this for you.

The low carb diet requires a reduction in carb content- breads, biscuits, reduced rice, pasta. Increased protein (fish , meat , cheese or plant sources if you are a vegetarian).
Vegetables, salads, certain fruits.
A lot of water and no skipping meals.

It may be best, with your medical history , to consult a nutritionist/dietician to find the right diet program for you rather than do it on your own.
Your doctor maybe able to refer you to one that can help you.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Excessive Weight Gain

Brief Answer: may need to see a dietician. Low fat/low cal or low carb diet Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic As you stated, it would be very hard for you to carry around the excess weight. Though exercise would understandably difficult, you tried diet changes, this is good because it is actually suppose to be somewhat easier to lose weight by diet alone. Limiting your intake by eating very little may have slowed down your metabolism and this is the reason that you would not have lost weight this way. Some fruits and vegetables are high in carbs and may have also prevented weight loss. You would need to consider trying either the low fat/low calorie diet plan or the low carb diet plan. Choose the one that would work bests for you because you would need to stick to it for at least a few weeks. You should review recipes from each type of diet plan online and see which would be more feasible. They may both cause the same amount of weight loss in the end though the low carb causes higher initial weight loss. Both would require reduction/elimination of most fruit juices and normal calorie sodas. The low fat/low calorie would also mean using more vegetables, salads, fruits. These should be half the plate of a main meal. The meat/fish may need to be reduced somewhat depending on what you currently use. You would need to count your calories daily but their are online counters that can estimate this for you. The low carb diet requires a reduction in carb content- breads, biscuits, reduced rice, pasta. Increased protein (fish , meat , cheese or plant sources if you are a vegetarian). Vegetables, salads, certain fruits. A lot of water and no skipping meals. It may be best, with your medical history , to consult a nutritionist/dietician to find the right diet program for you rather than do it on your own. Your doctor maybe able to refer you to one that can help you. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions