I am underweight -- how does this affect surgery?

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#1 Post by **marycotter5678** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:19 pm

I am currently 5'2" and 92lbs. I know I'm underweight -- I have a very fast metabolism and have had some major stress that caused me to lose a lot of weight this month.
I am due for surgery in about 6 months an am worried what will happen with my weight/health afterwards.

I know I cannot afford to lose any more weight but I don't know if I will be able to put on extra lbs before surgery. Are there special things the doctors can due in circumstances like this to prevent me from losing weight after surgery???

#2 Post by **fromjersey** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:49 pm

I tend to be underweight, also with a fast metabolism. I'm now 112 and 5'4". I can eat as much as I want and don't get fat. I knew before my surgery I would lose so I tried to stuff myself beforehand. Whatever is dense in calories. I think I got myself up to about 115 lbs, and then lost about 8 lbs. from surgery. So you and I are probably equally skinny.

I didn't drink stuff like Ensure because I think it's sugary junk. Read the label. I like Ovaltine, smoothies, ice cream, soy milk, bananas, yogurt, so I had no big problems. But all I had done was sliding genioplasty and after surgery had lots of smoothies, mashed potates, hot cereals, yogurt, my overloving Ovaltine which I've had for about 70 years now. I totally loved my mashed potatoes from Boston Market. I think they put butter in there but I ate that even though I'm mostly vegan.
Helen

#3 Post by **moth** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:48 pm

i, too, was/am underweight and i probably lost about max 8 lbs after surgery (i'm 5'7" and about 108lbs or so). i lose weight very easily so i was worried that i was going to shrivel into nothing.. but i didn't do too badly. just do your best to keep eating meals (er, drinking meals) throughout the day. i think part of the reason i didn't lose too much weight was that i ate an exorbitant amount of cheesecakes mashed up in my syringe! the first couple of days might be rough where you don't eat a lot and lose weight quickly, but don't worry. once you start feeling better just increase your meals little by little and before you know it, it'll be okay.

#4 Post by **Tribal** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:20 am

There's nothing your doctors can do about this - it's up to you to consume enough calories after surgery to keep from losing weight. I lost 5 pounds at most after the surgery (I was even gaining weight for a while). East lots of cheesecake,cream based soups, and put butter (and/or melted cheese) in everything. I ate a lot of mashed potatoes, instant ones mixed with extra water, and melted in cheese, or somethimes gravy (or both, kinda like poutine)

#5 Post by **projo198** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:04 am

I lost about 30 lbs, vut I could afford it. Little frail now but not too bad.

ADD STUFF TO YOUR MEAL REGIME!

I start with soup and then blend in whatever I find compatible in the kitchen. My craziest so far has been bean soup, shredded cheese, chicken boullion cubes, ritz crackers, mashed potatos, salsa, cheese dip, baby cereal, and milk.

I mean.. I'll try anything! Also helps restart your digestive track, the baby cereal has helped a lot. Much more filling than just the soup.

#6 Post by **projo198** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:05 am

I lost about 30 lbs, vut I could afford it. Little frail now but not too bad.

ADD STUFF TO YOUR MEAL REGIME!

I start with soup and then blend in whatever I find compatible in the kitchen. My craziest so far has been bean soup, shredded cheese, chicken boullion cubes, ritz crackers, mashed potatos, salsa, cheese dip, baby cereal, and milk.

I mean.. I'll try anything! Also helps restart your digestive track, the baby cereal has helped a lot. Much more filling than just the soup.

#7 Post by **OzzysMom** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:57 pm

Tribal is right that there is nothing the doctors can do and it is up to you to be responsible for your weight. Being that you know you have a few months, NOW is the time to try to pack on some pounds. That's what I had to do. I also tend to lose weight very quickly. I was told by a surgeon that I was too thin and would probably lose 5 lbs after surgery so I should gain some weight. After hearing that, I knew that I would lose much more than the average person so I started taking in more calories and sometimes that meant eating things that weren't all that healthy(ok, lots of ice cream). It took me 6 months but I gained 15 lbs...and kept it on until my surgery 2 months later. It was the best thing I did because I did lose 20 lbs quickly after my surgery. It's all about knowing your body and preparing it. Also, if you are too much underweight or anemic, it could be a concern and the surgeon may ask you to gain weight first.

Now go enjoy some ice cream! LOL

#8 Post by **Tribal** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:35 pm

ooh, ice cream, I forgot about that... I drank a LOT of milkshakes! There's a place down the street from me that makes a peanut butter chocolate milkshake - so yummy!!! Tastes like a liquid reeses peanut butter cup! I think it was just a vanilla milkshake with chocolate syrup and some peanut butter thrown in, but it was soooo yummy! At one point I was getting one every day

#9 Post by **marycotter5678** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:13 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I am slowly trying to increase the amount of calories I eat but it's hard because I have to force feed myself when not hungry. I ordered True Mass which is a powder that body builders use to gain weight --- hopefully gulping that down will add some extra lbs.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:49 am

weigh protein is great way to gain weight! you can virtually put it into anything that you want. eat lots of protein as well. thi will help as well!

#11 Post by **queenofoverbite** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:07 am

I'm 5'5" and about 100 pounds. I've pretty much always been really thin and so has my mom. Pair that with a super fast metabolism...

Basically I'm pretty worried about losing weight. Is ther enothing to do besides bulk up with fatty foods/protein?

#12 Post by **sgguy** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:42 pm

I jus did double jaw surgery (Lefort I/ BSO) last wednesday and one week later i noticed I've lost 5kg!!

Ok.. time to indulge in food! However my teeth could only open one index finger (vertical) wide! means eating is slow...

#13 Post by **candycin** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:11 am

i just had double jaw 8 days ago and have already lost 12 pounds!!!!
it seems to have slowed down now but i did gain 10 before surgery
you need to put on some weight the fast weight loss makes me feel very weak after doing very little
take care of yourself now before surgery !!!!

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I am underweight -- how does this affect surgery?

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