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Post by songbird177 on Jan 27, 2015 14:14:00 GMT -5
Hi all. So I mentioned before about being underweight but lately it's starting to really hit me: being underweight is NOT a good thing and can actually be worse than MO.
And it's not like I haven't TRIED to gain weight. I mean I was eating things we shouldn't - pie, cake, cookies, crackers , and other gas producing foods (along with my protein of course) and still no gain . My dr wanted me to get back to 145 and I've been staring at 131 for months. Trying a new strength training program and still not gaining but I know that takes time.
I started researching what else I could do but it's not greatly talked about. I know creon is an option and will probably try that next but I heard that it doesn't work for some people and only works temporary. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
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Post by caprice on Jan 27, 2015 14:22:43 GMT -5
How's about more complex carbs? It sounds like you're eating crap. And, as you know, crap makes you crap.
Experiment with whole grains, maybe? Some gave me such bad gas that it was painful, but some, notsomuch. I can eat brown rice, just not 2 cups of it. If I keep it under a cup at any one time, I don't look and feel like I should be floating down the street on Thanksgiving day.
Maybe wheat in the form of whole grain toast with gobs of butter on it... Just some thoughts.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 27, 2015 14:29:30 GMT -5
I eat complex carbs now and am constipated if anything. I know I need to add more fat. I eat lots of veggies, fruits, and whole wheat bread at the moment but I am a nutrition noob. Breakfast is usually peanut butter English muffin and a cup if fruit and banana , then 4 protein shakes, cup if chicken stir fry (1 cup chopped chicken, 1/2 cup mixed veggies, olive oil , spices, cashews) 1-2 Greek yogurts, and then for dinner it's usually some kind of chicken and starch (potatoes/corn). I'm aiming for 200+G protein for muscle building purposes and usually wind up around 200g carbs.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 27, 2015 14:30:44 GMT -5
Oh also forgot I had a kind bar yesterday
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Post by caprice on Jan 27, 2015 14:41:27 GMT -5
I just "discovered" this last night -- Google "Fat Bombs recipes" - Coconut Oil, nut butter, vanilla, a small amount of sugar, cocoa powder and other goodies to taste. I made it last night, refrigerated it overnight, and enjoyed a spoonful this morning. I couldn't believe how good it was.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 27, 2015 14:42:13 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 27, 2015 15:42:27 GMT -5
I eat complex carbs now and am constipated if anything. I know I need to add more fat. I eat lots of veggies, fruits, and whole wheat bread at the moment but I am a nutrition noob. Breakfast is usually peanut butter English muffin and a cup if fruit and banana , then 4 protein shakes, cup if chicken stir fry (1 cup chopped chicken, 1/2 cup mixed veggies, olive oil , spices, cashews) 1-2 Greek yogurts, and then for dinner it's usually some kind of chicken and starch (potatoes/corn). I'm aiming for 200+G protein for muscle building purposes and usually wind up around 200g carbs. You need more whole grains.
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Post by Melinda on Jan 27, 2015 15:58:44 GMT -5
131 is not a horrible weight. I got down to 128 and thought omg how awful, I look so bad. Everyone told me I looked anorexic and sickly. My own mother would point out my various bones sticking out. So I added carbs. And more carbs. Guess what? Fast forward to about six years out. From years 6-8 I had regained about 60 lbs. Trust me. You WILL REGAIN. Don't do the freak out like I did. I was a full two years post DS when I thought I was soooo skinny. I thought it was a free pass to eat bread, carbs, more carbs, sugar, etc. (I did eat all my protein, too) My own surgeon was telling me to increase what I ate and I got in the habit of eating. ALL. THE. TIME. Trust me when I tell you that these past 10 months were really hard. I finally lost 35 lbs and it was WAY harder than it was the first two years post DS surgery! I still have 15 lbs. to go to get back to my healthiest weight, which is about 140. It doesn't come off years down the road like it does early DS post op, trust me. Keep up your protein, do like NYB suggests and add in the whole grains. You'll feel better if nothing else and have more energy. You'll be fine. Your doctor will get over it like mine did. It's just shocking at first. You will regain. It really does happen!
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 27, 2015 16:08:33 GMT -5
How much whole grains should I be adding? I'm 5'3 with a ton of skin which is why my surgeon was worried .pasta and rice are a no go but I can do some wheat breads and granola and grainy bread crumbs on chicken
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Post by caprice on Jan 27, 2015 17:17:12 GMT -5
Quinoa, couscous, steel-cut (or whole) oats, barley, millet. Just use some common sense on the amounts. You don't want a belly full of something, then realize that you're blowing up like Violet Beauregarde (without the blue).
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 27, 2015 17:33:28 GMT -5
Couscous needs to be whole wheat couscous.
Also farro, buckweat, brown rice. Eat some chickpeas (hummus), lentils, split peas...
Make some buckwheat pancakes with fruit for breakfast, plus eat a fried egg...
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Post by Simba on Jan 27, 2015 20:30:25 GMT -5
Curious why you think you are underweight? Your bmi is >23, which is on the high end of normal. to be underweight you would have to lose about 27 more lbs from what you are now. Your dr said s/he wants you at 145? why? that would put you at the overweight category again. If your siggy is correct you are just outside of your intestinal adaptation time of 18-24 months, a time period when DSers typically weight the least, then there is an adjustment and a typical weight regain of 10% or so and hopefully it stops there. I would not intentionally try to gain weight especially at the weight you are now, if you were truly underweight (and ill) let's say 110 lbs, I would, but not with a high end normal bmi that you are now, you can get into trouble later on down the road. I have seen it over and over again.
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Post by PrettyGirlBounce on Jan 27, 2015 21:01:48 GMT -5
First off...wow! Based on your profile pic, you look healthy and amazing!
Anyhow, why do you feel so underweight? You are 5'4 and 131 lbs. That seems quite healthy and acceptable to me. How are you *feeling*? Do you feel signs of malnourishment? How are your labs?
I battled legitimate malnourishment for the entire 2014 calendar year. I was maintaining at 118-122 and feeling fab (I'm 5'7!!), then all of the sudden other complications affected my food/water intake and I landed myself hospitalized at the lowest weight of 98 lbs! After TPN and creon, I finally got back to a healthy weight again. I am feeling better now than I have in YEARS after many struggles. I weigh 120.5 today. My surgeon (Dr Keshishian) says "who cares about the number right now?"...my labs are stellar, all issues have resolved and "HOW DO I FEEL??" Hmmmm...the man is making sense. I am not going to be a slave to the scale and a number. If I am healthy, my labs are stellar and I feel phenomenal...I'M GOOD!!!
Point being, I agree with Melinda on this one. Don't freak out unless there is a legitimate reason to freak out. Implement these suggestions if it makes you feel better and you want to thwart further weight loss, but don't drive yourself crazy trying to actually gain. The bounceback will come and balance you out. What is your doctor's reasons for 145? Just the number? I am really curious. I hate to disregard surgeon's instructions, but...sometimes it just makes more sense to do something contrary. ;} Surely Rabkin has solid medical reasons for wanting the weight gain. Curious as to what?
Just wanted to give you another outlook from a member that suffered real malnourishment. I would have killed to be 131 when I was 112, 109, 102, 98....
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Post by Simba on Jan 27, 2015 21:07:43 GMT -5
I just "discovered" this last night -- Google "Fat Bombs recipes" - Coconut Oil, nut butter, vanilla, a small amount of sugar, cocoa powder and other goodies to taste. I made it last night, refrigerated it overnight, and enjoyed a spoonful this morning. I couldn't believe how good it was. oh my goodness I tried these last year, I made the lemon ones, pbutter ones, special silicone molds-yuck I can't tolerate them, so the organic coconut oil is not for my hair.
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Post by Simba on Jan 27, 2015 21:11:53 GMT -5
First off...wow! Based on your profile pic, you look healthy and amazing! Anyhow, why do you feel so underweight? You are 5'4 and 131 lbs. That seems quite healthy and acceptable to me. How are you *feeling*? Do you feel signs of malnourishment? How are your labs? I battled legitimate malnourishment for the entire 2014 calendar year. I was maintaining at 118-122 and feeling fab (I'm 5'7!!), then all of the sudden other complications affected my food/water intake and I landed myself hospitalized at the lowest weight of 98 lbs! After TPN and creon, I finally got back to a healthy weight again. I am feeling better now than I have in YEARS after many struggles. I weigh 120.5 today. My surgeon (Dr Keshishian) says "who cares about the number right now?"...my labs are stellar, all issues have resolved and "HOW DO I FEEL??" Hmmmm...the man is making sense. I am not going to be a slave to the scale and a number. If I am healthy, my labs are stellar and I feel phenomenal...I'M GOOD!!! Point being, I agree with Melinda on this one. Don't freak out unless there is a legitimate reason to freak out. Implement these suggestions if it makes you feel better and you want to thwart further weight loss, but don't drive yourself crazy trying to actually gain. The bounceback will come and balance you out. What is your doctor's reasons for 145? Just the number? I am really curious. I hate to disregard surgeon's instructions, but...sometimes it just makes more sense to do something contrary. ;} Just wanted to give you another outlook from a member that suffered real malnourishment. I would have killed to be 131 when I was 112, 109, 102, 98.... PGB good to see you back and you sound like you are doing well!
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Post by PrettyGirlBounce on Jan 27, 2015 21:24:24 GMT -5
Thanks Simba, yes I am finally feeling well again!
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 27, 2015 22:16:44 GMT -5
Well I was 141 then was hospitalized for 3 weeks and lost 30lbs mostly muscle. I feel fine except the muscle. Labs are perfect - high end of normal but doc said he wanted me to gain. I was thinking about plastics with all this skin being that labs and weight are good ( except muscle ) but didn't want to do it if I still need to gain since my body will use my muscle afterwards for energy and I'll loose it again. Plus I don't like feeling weak going up stairs so started strength training 6 days a week
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 27, 2015 22:25:29 GMT -5
Well I was 141 then was hospitalized for 3 weeks and lost 30lbs mostly muscle. I feel fine except the muscle. Labs are perfect - high end of normal but doc said he wanted me to gain. I was thinking about plastics with all this skin being that labs and weight are good ( except muscle ) but didn't want to do it if I still need to gain since my body will use my muscle afterwards for energy and I'll loose it again. Plus I don't like feeling weak going up stairs so started strength training 6 days a week It is way, way too soon for you to even be thinking about plastics. You need to be way past your weight loss, your weight needs to be stable for a year, and you have to be very healthy.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 28, 2015 0:41:25 GMT -5
Yeah I was thinking of next year.
On another note I feel like I'm overheating to barely scrape by on enough nutrition. I'm always eating to do this and having to take tums. I used to feel full but now I only feel way too full and it's too late. It's because I can't feel most of my abdomen from the last surgery -nerve endings still haven't grown back. That was one reason I thought of the creon but I wonder if I'll need to reduce vites
I'm starving when I wake up but then it's like I feel sick the rest of the day
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 28, 2015 0:42:17 GMT -5
Overeating*
Stupid autocorrect lol
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 28, 2015 5:07:45 GMT -5
Yeah I was thinking of next year. On another note I feel like I'm overheating to barely scrape by on enough nutrition. I'm always eating to do this and having to take tums. I used to feel full but now I only feel way too full and it's too late. It's because I can't feel most of my abdomen from the last surgery -nerve endings still haven't grown back. That was one reason I thought of the creon but I wonder if I'll need to reduce vites I'm starving when I wake up but then it's like I feel sick the rest of the day Are you taking a PPI? Are you eating 6 small meals a day or something like that? Do not eat too much at any one time.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 28, 2015 9:56:31 GMT -5
Yeah I was thinking of next year. On another note I feel like I'm overheating to barely scrape by on enough nutrition. I'm always eating to do this and having to take tums. I used to feel full but now I only feel way too full and it's too late. It's because I can't feel most of my abdomen from the last surgery -nerve endings still haven't grown back. That was one reason I thought of the creon but I wonder if I'll need to reduce vites I'm starving when I wake up but then it's like I feel sick the rest of the day In my opinion, this is what you need to do. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat a more balanced diet - incorporate some whole grains. Keep up your protein and fluids. Increase your fat intake. Stay on your vitamins. Get some exercise - aerobic and anaerobic. If you are taking Tums for heartburn, you likely need to be on a PPI - many DSers need to.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 28, 2015 13:16:52 GMT -5
Yeah I used to take a PPI but insurance stopped paying and pcp refused a prior authorization . Now I have new insurance (waiting on the cards) so I can try again.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 28, 2015 13:43:24 GMT -5
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PeteA
Full Member
Posts: 221
Surgery Date: 4/15/13
Surgeon: Dr. Phillip Schauer
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Post by PeteA on Jan 28, 2015 14:16:43 GMT -5
I took a look at your eating list. Aside from the comments people posted you might want to look at protein shakes that are labelled as meal replacements. That's not usually the kind of protein shake most of us use but would be a better option for you with the goal of adding some weight.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 28, 2015 16:01:42 GMT -5
Prilosec doesn't work for me. I went through all of the OTC ones and they did nothing.
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 28, 2015 16:02:07 GMT -5
Yes I plan on trying a bcaa type of shake for muscle
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Post by songbird177 on Jan 28, 2015 16:02:48 GMT -5
I looked at the fat bomb recipes and noticed a lot call for coconut oil . Can I just use butter or is coconut oil best?
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Post by jpcello on Jan 29, 2015 6:43:49 GMT -5
Prilosec doesn't work for me. I went through all of the OTC ones and they did nothing. In an earlier post you said you used to take it by prescription but then insurance stopped paying so you stopped taking them. Did it work when you were taking the prescription? Did you start taking the exact same drug OTC immediately after you stopped the prescription? These drugs are meant to be taken regularly, not just when you need it. Also, how much were you taking? You can take up to 40 mg per day (20 in am and pm). It is imperative that you find one that works. You have to give them a chance to work.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 29, 2015 8:05:57 GMT -5
Prilosec doesn't work for me. I went through all of the OTC ones and they did nothing. Today...go out and get some omeprazole. Take 20 mg tonight, and then 20mg every morning and 20mg every evening. Start TODAY. And then in 2 weeks see how it is. JPcello is right of course - omeprazole must be taken every day, without a break. It does not work on an "as needed" basis - it is a PPI.
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