Also does using Imodium to slow down output thru intestines cause more absorption of calories and nutrients because food is not “rushing” thru the micro villa of intestine?

@rick I’m not sure about Imodium but I was always told to wait for 20-30 minutes before drinking at meals so that the food has a chance to get in enough to give me nutrients. 
I don’t worry to much about gaining or losing as I’m within range for my height. I tend to concentrate more in getting enough nutrients, liquids etc. we are easy to dehydrate with an ileostomy.  Water, G-2 Gatorade, Powerade zero etc..  I also had a nurse tell me if I eat chips which I tend to daily a small bag, to drink my G-2 Gatorade with it as the chips add the salt I need. I had to get IV magnesium and potassium pills from the ER a couple times from dehydrating. 
I won’t use Imodium or anything like that. I tend to use food or liquid to thicken or thin out my stools. 
if I feel like a blockage is there I take a glass of grape juice and put in the microwave and warm it. This usually pushes things out eventually. 
if I’m too watery I will eat rice, potatoes chips or peanut butter, banana and that usually thickens things up pretty quick.

Posted by: @rick

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I weigh myself, and then recheck a day later and my weight is 5 pounds lighter..then gain it back next day.

For the most part, ignore weight and go by measurements.

If you are going by weight, do it infrequently, like once every week or two.

Fluctuations like what you've seen can be explained by water, food still in your digestive tract, and not necessarily fat or muscle loss/gain.

If you can weight yourself at the same time every time, it will be more stable.

Also does using Imodium to slow down output thru intestines cause more absorption of calories and nutrients because food is not “rushing” thru the micro villa of intestine?

Just a guess, but I would think that it helps, since having movements passing too quickly would cause nutrients to also pass through.

Posted by: @rick

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Does anyone experience strange weight loss/gain?

I weigh myself, and then recheck a day later and my weight is 5 pounds lighter..then gain it back next day.  I also lose weight very easily if I don’t stay above 3000 calories a day.

My ideal weight target is 185, which I was before surgery (lost 30 lbs in hospital) 

I am at 178…because I lost 7 

pounds of colon from surgery, should I just add 7lbs to my current 178 and assume I am 185?

 

Hi Rick,

I also lost weight during surgery and directly after then fluctuated the first few months. 

Now 6 - 7 months post surgery (ileostomy) things are fairly stable.  My weight tends to go down if I do not hydrate as well as I should so for me keeping well hydrated is key.  I do not use anything to slow down my digestion.

As for getting nutrients I try to eat a pretty balanced diet, take a multi vitamin and magnesium daily and drink an electrolyte drink most days and Iron and Calcium occasionally . ( I chew the vitamin pills )

I weigh myself more often than I probably need to (every few days) -  for me a quick weight loss is an indication I need to hydrate.  

What I did to put my mind at ease once I had a pretty stable diet routine in place for a few months have ask my doctor to order a full panel blood draw then had my doctor look at it for deficiencies.

cygo

@cygo ... I want to encourage you not to worry about weight too much. Unless you are  loosing or gaining a lot without explanation then ofcourse see your GP. 

If your feeling otherwise  "healthy" then I think its pretty much typical to have some weight fluctuations on a regular basis with a stoma.  If you are seriously Medically concerned something is going on then ofcourse bring it up to your GP.   It sure can't hurt to be reassured. 

Since my stoma, a few years back,  I packed on 40 plus lbs. of weight in a very short time & I went to my GP about it.   I tested positive for very sleepy Thyroid issues. A marvelous little pill woke it up & I went back to my normal weight again with some extra excercise.

I find my weight still fluctuates within the 7 to 10 pound range regularly.   I have an ileostomy with short gut syndrome so I deal with very watery output on a regular basis.

Anytime I gain I know its my stoma just not outputting yet.   I also find the best time to weigh myself is 1st thing in the morning.  This way anything I eat or drink in the day gives my body time to settle down through the night & register a more honest weight in the morning. Maybe try it for a month & see what you think. 

Posted by: @dlkfiretruck

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@cygo ... I want to encourage you not to worry about weight too much. Unless you are  loosing or gaining a lot without explanation then ofcourse see your GP. 

. 

Morning Linda,

I don't worry so much about my weight but I do find it interesting to compare weight to water and food intake, more of a curiosity than anything else.  

Unless as you mention a rapid weight loss or gain then that would cause me to look into things a bit deeper. 

cygo

@cygo  ... I agree it is interesting to see how long our bodies hang on to certain foods & fluids & if extra fluids are drained off with them.  Most any fluid type foods,  like soups run through me in 3 to 4 hours or less & the rest 6 or 8 at most unless a blockage occurs.  As you know,  staying hydrated is extremly important & can affect so many issues right down to dry eyes. 

I've found drinking plenty with a meal,  something I've  always done, to be highly helpful in avoiding blockages esp. with my short gut syndrome & yes it usually means a faster transit time but then I eat smaller amounts & more often, better...  grazing...lol! 

I've learned to flavour up soups with Herbs.  While heating up Ceam of Mushroom or Tomatoe soup it gets a good pinch of dried Oregano & Basil & a good pinch of Thyme or even Dill.  Crushing the leaves between my fingers while adding them. Thyme really amps up flavor but add in the oregano & basil it ups it again.  

I enjoy watching a cooking show on TV  LIFE  CHANNEL 315.  Mary Makes It Easy.  She gives the recipes as shes making her foods on the 30 min. Show.  She is vegetarian cooking for non vegetarian hubby & often her Mom,  which has helped me as I am partly there now. 

I eat so many foods they tell us not to eat now & since I've learned on my own to cook & even cut veggies differently its made a huge difference in the amount of blockages & hospital stays I've had. 

I missed raw veggies something fierce but found ways to eat them just by cutting diff. Or peeling them & always chewing very well as Eric advises putting my fork down between bites adds to more well chewed foods. Partly steaming some has helped too.  

Since my Stoma surgery I'm enjoying foods so much more as it doesn't always come with all the pain I had lived with for 50 years!! I hope it's the same for everyone!