Weight Loss Tips with an Ileostomy After Cancer

Hi I am new to this site and would like to find out about lossing weight. I had rectal cancer in 2007 and have had 4 opperations and this is my second Illostomy, had one for a year then had a reversal then had a year of pain they had to give me another illostomy.I have only had this Illostomy for 10 months I have been in remission for a year. I have gained some weight and want to lose it but not sure what excersises i can do. Any suggestion would be great.......Also I am still trying to deal with my illostomy haven't found a good wafer yet and some of them cause my skin to get really itchy and they are all so big and the bags are so long any help would be great...

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Hi nice to meet you...welcome!  ...as for losing weight please do it carefully ...don't do as many do and simply cut out meals, be sure you still have well balanced meals each day that will meet your personal needs...In my opinion, your doctor or Nutritionist is best qualified to help you with that one ...everyone's needs are different...  

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   ...stick with us here to let us know how you're doing

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Hi, have you a good stoma nurse? They should be able to help with finding a suitable bag ...



try this link if you haven't one



http://www.caet.ca/



also sounds like there may be a fungal infection under the wafer - there has been a recent thread on tha too...



https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=1662



Good luck with it all,

Rach xx

Hello QUIZ! please check with your stoma nurse for the correct size for your needs. There are many different types; I use a one piece Convatec/paste for my ileostomy. I am kinda short and decided on the 10 inch bag. I still look like I "have something in my pocket" if my pouch fills. I dump it often tho. I also had an itch problem, and yes, it was fungal...I used the foot powder for athletes foot...whatever brand; It is same as the expensive prescription they will give you...place a bit of powder onto a Q-tip and dab around the "white" which is the fungal area...the pouch wont stick as well but it is important to get rid of the fungus problem. I hope to see you here often, let us know how you are doing. lex

Congratulations on going into remission! Damn, that is something to be seriously proud of, and thankful for.

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As a new ostomate and a cancer survivor, I would recommend you take things *very* slowly. I have learned over time that people who lose weight gradually and naturally have the most success at keeping it off. I come from a family of serial dieters, and I can vouch for that statement 100%. I'm sure I don't have to suggest that you consult with your doctor about any new exercise regime or diet changes you plan on implementing into your life. Your nutritional needs will be slightly different from the general populace.



Keep it balanced, keep it moderate, and let common sense rule!



Love



Tiggy

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi,



After a nearly 50 pound weight gain, I joined a "wellness center" gym, and have been successfully working with a trainer and taking 5-10 different exercise classes a week.  I have back , & leg issues, in addition to my ostomy, but it hasn't stopped me from finally doing something productive.  I've always tried exercising on my own, and would either hurt myself, or claim that the excercise makes the wafer "move".  Yes....sometimes that does happen.  But after a year, I've lost nearly 50 pounds, with my doctors' blessings, and am continuing with my new health & wellness regime.   We discovered that I've had very poor balance for years,  because of very weak abdominal muscles.  So I'm working hard on developing more core strength, endurance & mobility as well and have found that my  balance has improved significantly.  As an insulin dependent diabetic, I was thrilled that the increased exercise allowed me to significantly reduce my need for insulin.  The downside has been  some digestive issues when I had to replace some carbs with more veggies.  



I wish you the best of luck.  Get a go ahead with your doctor, and if possible, some guidance from a "trained" trainer.



Thanks to all of you for "being here".

Immarsh, you rule!



Just more proof that people with ostomies are just as capable as the rest of "us" when it comes to improving their lives and having the courage to make positive changes. I've been losing weight in a healthy way since this past June and it hasn't always been easy - even as someone who doesn't have an ostomy! So I give you mad respect for that.

I have found that tracking what i eat and walking was the best "diet" i have ever been on. I lost 40 pounds pre ileostomy. I didn't deny myself anything...if I wanted a cheeseburger I ate it but I accounted for those calories. I used My Fitness Pal to track my calories and Runkeeper to track my walks. I stayed within (or close to) my calorie goal every day and walked for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. Lost a steady 1 to 2 pounds a week. The apps talk to each other so your exercise is automatically calculated into your daily calories. 

I just started back walking each morning yesterday. I can only go for about a mile....but I'll be back to three miles before long! Haven't started tracking calories again. I don't need to lose any weight really but i certainly don't need to gain any either! And if i keep eating twinkies I'll be gigantic.