Need to Gain Weight

[SupportingWife]

I really hope there is someone else out there with our problem. Hubby lost lots of weight recently, and after his resection his weight is only 110 pounds, and he's 5'9" tall. When he was healthy, his weight usually rested around 130 - 135 pounds. (the slight build, is an inherited trait.)

Last Friday we met with the surgeon who announced the diagnosis of T3 Colon cancer. All he told us was that it was minimal cancer, that Hubby has been referred to the cancer clinic, and that he needs to gain weight before chemo starts. As far as any details, and support, the surgeon said we'll get that from the cancer clinic.

Other than milk shakes, and eating lots, I need some healthy high calories suggestions. He never did eat much, and now it's tough trying to get the calorie intake into him to cause the weight gain he needs, in a short time.

Thank you for your help.

Mo.

[Rob in PA]

I always liked the Ensure chocolate and vanilla protein shakes. They come in different varieties for specific needs...for example one may be high in iron, one may be packed with protein, vitamin D, etc...

It helped me put weight back on during end of, and after chemo.

Rob

[janklo]

Ensure works great. You can also buy loose protein powder at a pharmacy and put it in things, like mashed potatos or smoothies. Adds extra calories.

[teacher49]

I lost a lot of weight too. 5 wks of prechemorad, then major surgery. I was 170 at the start of cancer diagnosis. Yes. a little heavy for my height of 5ft. 4 in. After surgery I had major complications due to pelvic abscesses and sepsis. I was in the hospital 40 days. I had no desire to eat food...the hospital food all smelled like glue and the protein milk shake would make me vomit. I was on parenteral feeding then. Finally, the infection cleared and could take all the tubes and drains out. I had lost about 40 lbs.

There were only a few things I could eat for a while.....can't say they are healthy food but they tasted like heaven to me. Fruit loops cereal with milk, and Cream of wheat cereal made with milk and butter and sugar. Fattening foods but they were very satisfying. It was winter so, lots of hot chocoate. Started 6 mos of Folfox6 and had to be careful what I ate and had to stay hydrated.

Hope you can get your husband to add a few pounds because the adjuvant chemo will make everything taste strange for the duration of chemo.

[horizon]

Greek yogurt with a spoonful of powdered peanut butter mixed in it.

Some protein shakes make me want to barf but I like the ones by Muscle Milk and Optimum Nutrition.

[Guinevere]

I sipped Carnation Instant . My docs told me that it has the same nutrients as Ensure or Boost but was less expensive. I nibbled ginger snaps for nausea but it also put pounds back on. As did breads such as French bread, biscuits, rolls pastries,etc.

I think it really depends on what your husband can tolerate and make himself eat. Chicken and Dumplings, chili, soups such as potato soup and even vegetable beef soup with crackers or cornbread. Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, baked potatoes, pasta with Alfredo sauce, ice cream or other frozen treats, rice dishes can also help put weight on (believe me it can!). At this point, it's just important to get the food in and stay in. Adding protein helps him keep up his muscles.

Hope this helps ~
Guinevere

[grace06]

I usually just browse and learn here at the Colon Club. I posted thinking maybe I could help someone for a change.


I certainly understand. I have always had low weight problems, mostly due to stress. If I could maintain 110 lbs I did fine.

When the cancer hit in Sept,2009, I started really losing weight.
Through chemo/rads, surgery, and starting last chemo was down to
the 80-85 pounds.

When one is so sick, they simply (Cannot) eat, no matter how many delious and fattening things are tried.

The Appetite needs to be have an appetite boost. I got a Script for Meg=Ace, (Megestrol). Only took about a week and I could not be filled up. I also got a diet suppliment (on the order of Ensure, and other helpful Health drinks.)
However needing calories, my GP had me get Two/Cal. Has a lot more calories than the other drinks.

http://abbottnutrition.com/brands/products/twocal-hn

http://abbottstore.com/therapeutic-nutr ... f-24-54064

http://www.rxlist.com/megace-drug.htm

This is just another suggestion, you may want to give a try.
I remember so many of my well meaning friends, making fattening things for me, and I just could not drink or eat 'ANYTHING'.
I always heard, "This will fatten you up" and indeed if the patient could eat or drink the things made and suggested for them, believe me they WOULD fatten up.

However in most cases, they simply cannot (Just Eat) you have to have an appetite.
To me it was a wonderful feeling to finally have a good appetite taking the Megace and then able to drink the extra high calorie TwoCal. I hope this may help you too.

grace06

[KWT]

I had surgery on nov. 14th of this year and lost nearly 20 lbs. Down to about 135 I'm just starting to notice my weight coming back now up to about 144 it just takes time. Talk to a nutrionist and they may have some recipes for super high calorie foods

[abuttigi]

Ensure worked wonders for my dad! I agree with Rob, he loved the chocolate one! I also agree with grace on the Megace. My dad used that during chemo weeks and it really helped him eat dinner. My dad also seemed to have a lot of cravings. Sometimes he wanted pasta, other times chicken. Whatever he said he wanted, my mom would make that for lunch/dinner, whatever, no questions asked. Sometimes asking them what they are in the mood for helps!

There are some great suggestions on here... that's why this board is so great! Who would know the answer to this question better than patients and caregivers!!

Angie

[midlifemom]

Try to eat or have an Ensure right before bed - not much chance to burn off the calories while sleeping.

[jeanette57]

Your cancer specialist will tell your hubby needs 75 grams of protein during treatment. Hell no to eating and puking it up again, so I am trying to up my protein with something my mind and tummy loves. FLAN or egg custards. It taste good, easy to eat and has lots of protein in it. Right now trying to get a glucerna down but I put some pea protein powder in it and yuck....yuck x100. Oh well had a candy bar and will try to get sugar up before another long cold sleep filled night.

[CM35]

Homemade sugar cookies. With buttercream frosting. And sprinkles. They take me back to my childhood every time I have one! And I have to have a second! Empty calories, maybe... But they go down pretty easy!

[justin case]

I really hope there is someone else out there with our problem. Hubby lost lots of weight recently, and after his resection his weight is only 110 pounds, and he's 5'9" tall. When he was healthy, his weight usually rested around 130 - 135 pounds. (the slight build, is an inherited trait.)

Last Friday we met with the surgeon who announced the diagnosis of T3 Colon cancer. All he told us was that it was minimal cancer, that Hubby has been referred to the cancer clinic, and that he needs to gain weight before chemo starts. As far as any details, and support, the surgeon said we'll get that from the cancer clinic.

Other than milk shakes, and eating lots, I need some healthy high calories suggestions. He never did eat much, and now it's tough trying to get the calorie intake into him to cause the weight gain he needs, in a short time.

Thank you for your help.

Mo.

I'm 5-10 and got down to 135 lb. I ate anything I wanted shortly after surgery, 3 weeks or so. I did a lot of ensure, potato soup, ice cream during recovery time. After about 4 weeks, it was burgers and tacos and everything fattening, before I even noticed any weight gain. After surgery, all the protien intake you can get him to eat is important. As the body is healing it will use everything, trying to mend from the surgery. After about 6 or 7 weeks, is when I started seeing some weight gain, and chemo is not usually recommended until that time anyway. Depending on the lymph nodes taken, and the amount positive for cancer, there may be no hurry for chemo just yet.( you did say T-3 cancer)I was back to 165 lbs. in about 10 months.
Regards,
Michael

[dianne052506]

After my surgery years ago, I needed to put some weight back on, but it seemed there were so few things I really wanted to eat. I would try to add calories to even my bland comfort foods. Canned tomato soup had a dollop of sour cream on top of the bowl, plus shredded cheese. A baked potato had sour cream, butter, plus cream of chicken soup heated undiluted and spooned over the potato. Instead of hot tea, I would have hot apple juice with ginger ale added. That's the few I can think of off the top of my head. Also, I would always keep small snack food handy so that I could munch without a lot of effort and planning.
Hope that helps.
Dianne

[jeanette57]

look at this website

http://www.cookforyourlife.org/ - things for all type of cancer patients.

I would be lost for some of this help. However, just heard they shut my kidneys down while in the hospital so to swollen to eat much. Got whole milk today to see if that helps. Mom made me rice pudding to see if I can get small amounts down. Not sure if I can. My brain is willing but my tummy is not!