Hi everyone, I am new to Cancer. I just wanted to know if people lose weight after bowel op and stoma bag fitted. I'm only 7.6 stone, and worried about the whole thing of the op. I'm still in shock with the diagnosis xxx
Hi and welcome to the online community and especially to the Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support Group and although I'm sorry that you've had to find I'm pleased that you've reached out to us and I hope that we can be of help and support to you in this journey.
Unfortunately it is possible that you could suffer some weight loss due to having re think your eating habits with eating smaller portions at regular intervals so it is imperative that each meal gives you a calorie surge.
I don't want you to worry about having a stoma it should not make any difference to the way you live your life but in fact may improve your lifestyle, having a stoma is very manageable and please remember that I am always here to help with and aspect of your daily management and answer any questions you may have.
Please let me know if I can be of any help.
Good luck with the surgery, please keep coming back to me.
I have no doubt you'll still be in shock from the diagnosis but I just wanted to reassure you that whilst you might lose a bit of weight following surgery, over time as you heal and get over the surgery, you should get back to your normal weight. Living with a stoma is obviously a bit different, but it shouldn't stop you having as full and active life as you have at the moment, and nor should it hold you back eating what you normally do. Although, be prepared for subtle changes... you'll get to know how different foods affect you after your op, and you just learn to adapt! I had my surgery almost 7 years ago, and have somehow managed to put a load of weight on! Wish I could shift it as easy as it went on lol.
If you want to ask anything, nothing is a daft question - we've all been there!
Hi pollylilly I've just recently had surgery for rectal cancer and had a temporary ileostomy fitted bodach Ian has been very helpful with advice . You'll find lots of support here online it's quite moving to feel that and to read other people's stories and all the love and support that comes from other people on this site. Keep in touch .VANESSA x
Hello Vanessa, thank you for replying to my post. I still feel quite numb, as if I don't believe I have cancer. I'm a very caring person, and always felt sad when someone has had something bad happen to them, but now that I have had the diagnosis, I feel i want to care for everybody who are on this journey lol. You don't realize what people are really going through, till you are going through it yourself. I have spent the last week reading stories on here, you are all so brave and caring. So glad I have joined this community xxx
Hello Linda x thank you for replying back. I have just replayed to another member, saying how brave you all are and how caring too. I'm just scared of the op now, and will I panic when I see the stoma for the first time. I think it is fear of the unknown, I was told by the consultant I will be in hospital for 3 to four weeks, then by the stoma nurse maybe a week or so., it all feels so unreal to me, as if I have not accepted it, then suddenly, from nowhere, comes a panic attack. I feel my life has turned upside down overnight xxx hope you have a speedy recovery Linda xxx
I have just sent you a friend request please press the accept button as soon as you get the alert
I want to help you to remain positive and to be available to answer any questions that may pop into your head at anytime
Has your stoma nurse given you a pre op training kit to get you used to having a stoma and wearing a pouch and letting you see what it's like when the bag has some output in it
We/me are all here to help you get through this and will be still here to help you after the operation right through to the stoma reversal and after.
Anything you want to discuss, yes anything just ask me here or on the private friends messaging and I will give you a straight answer.
In the meantime concentrate on keeping well having a good well balanced diet with plenty of fresh air.
Life is not all that bad with a stoma and you can start to count down the days until your reversal.6 months is not all that long they'll soon pass.
Once you get your stoma fitted you'll be a different person and start to enjoy all the things you used to enjoy and possibly start to do things you wanted to do for along time.
Here to hold your hand at anytime and help you to remain positive.
Don't hold back ask me anything about life with a stoma, yes you will have a life with stoma.
Please remember that you own the stoma it doesn't own you don't let it rule your life you will have your old life back again it's out there ready and waiting for you to enjoy.
Squeeze my hand, cry on my shoulder, rant and rave at me I don't mind I will be here to help you remain positive and get you through this
Remember I am here for you at anytime look at the time of this message.
Glad that people’s stories are helping you both on here and the Bowel Cancer Board. It’s a horrible shock and hard to understand the feelings involved unless you’ve been in the same boat which is why these boards are so great. My colleagues dad has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and she asked me ‘why do nice people get it - it’s not fair - it should be the horrible ones!’ It’s the sort of illness that you know lots of people have but never expect it to happen to you - although that sounds really selfish now. Having said that I didn’t know anyone else who’d had Bowel cancer but I’ve made some good friends online who offer support.
I had surgery in November 2016 and my ileostomy (who was called Lily!) reversed in March 2018. Follow up bloods have been clear and just waiting for my 2 year scan results.
Bowel Cancer is very treatable and you’ll soon get used to the stoma. The usual stay in hospital is about a week and they’ll want to make sure you can change your bag etc. before coming home. Perhaps the surgeon meant a stay of 3-4 days not weeks?
Welcome to the group but sorry you’ve found yourself here.
I can relate to the way your diagnosis has made you feel. I too had those thoughts, sleepless nights and the panic. Once I had a plan of attack the feelings did subside a little but never went completely.
My cancer is really rare and only 17% end up with a permanent ileostomy after surgery - that was me. I told myself that if I get one it’s to save me from the cancer and so when I awoke and realised it was there I tried to take in my stride. Easier said than done at the start. It has its moments but as Bodach says, its very liveable with and it hasn’t really affected what I eat too much.
How I managed my feelings about the surgery was to keep reminding myself that the surgeons know what they’re doing, that they will do the very best they can for me and I have to put my trust in them. The closer the surgery got, the calmer I become, the waiting was the worst
I wish you the very best for your surgery and let me know if you want to chat more about things. Do you have date yet?
I have two stomas. When I was going through cancer treatment I went down to the 5 stone bracbra and I had to learn to walk again too. It was hard. The cancer has gone but I still struggle.
I have put weight back on and some and how I wish I could move some of it but I am here and I will muddle on.
Hi Karen, thank you for replying. Iv been very down with tears Today, but did feel somewhat better afterwards. Yes, I was taken aback when consultant said 3 weeks, hope he did mean to say days. You sound a lovely positive person karen, if this fear of the unknown would go away, I'm sure I'd not be so scared xxxx
