I need to put weight back on after cancer.?!
Question: I had cancer in my mouth and nose 20 months ago and the surgery and radio therapy have made it difficult to eat. I went from 11.5 stone to 10 stone and now weigh 10.5 stone. I feel weak and vulnerable with no stamina. I am eating lots now but without any real weight gain. I also have fortisip daily. Any suggestions what i can do without resorting to Big Macs with a chips chaser as i don't want to end up with furred arteries just trying to get healthy again!
Answers: I had cancer in my mouth and nose 20 months ago and the surgery and radio therapy have made it difficult to eat. I went from 11.5 stone to 10 stone and now weigh 10.5 stone. I feel weak and vulnerable with no stamina. I am eating lots now but without any real weight gain. I also have fortisip daily. Any suggestions what i can do without resorting to Big Macs with a chips chaser as i don't want to end up with furred arteries just trying to get healthy again!
Hi
Sorry to hear you had cancer, but great news you recovered, i hope you stay that way!!! As for trying to put on weight, I would recommend that you go to your nurse, dietitian or GP and ask to change that Fortisip to Enshake. The Fortisip just gives you 300 cals and some protein, but Enshake is a powder which iis added to milk and shaken. This will give you a power packed punch of 600cals, nearly double the protein of fortisip. This means you will only have to take it for a little while before you notice weight gain, and also you should keep on eating.
If you find that the milkshakes get too much, you can add Enshake powder into yoghurts to boost the nutrition rating.
Also try and use full fat ingredients and try adding cream in place of milk to boost calories and protein as McD's will only give you calories and unhealthy fatness.
I cover nursing home and have seen this technique work wonders. I hope you stay well and take care
hey pete, so sorry to hear u had cancer. Go to your doc and ask advice. It may take a while to gain weight as your body is recovering,but it will go back on eventually. Good luck and keep smiling. Big hug coming from Scotland to yourself. Take care.xxx
I had the same problem after cancer treatment. Congratulations on your recovery first of all.
It takes a while to put weight back on. I was always a healthy eater and didn't do fast food, so it took me a long time too. I did have to start eating some higher calorie and fattening foods, but I only did so once a week. I also did buy some weight gain shakes with good nutritional value from a health food store that I drank.
Be patient - it takes a while - and I've never gained back all the weight I lost and it's been 12 years for me.
Good luck - and again congrats on your win!
drink products like slim fast with your meals. They were originally intended to be a weight gaining supplement. They also are highly nutritious.
Good luck
Hi Pete.I've been through breast cancer buddy, but I gained weight through the steroids in my anti-sickness tablets.
My husband's uncle who was widowed a few years ago lots lots of weight through the grief.He has drinks from the doctor to build him up.
Have you tried drinking full fat milk, ice-cream? You could make yourself some smoothies.
Do this slowly though, you don't want heart problems on top of everything else.
Try eating more often through the day.
I've taken up swimming again, it's helped to tone me up.
Best of luck, and here's to your good health.x
Look into taking the drug ( antidepressant ) Remeron or mitrazapine.... it will increase your appetite and help you to gain weight... and once you stop taking it you will stop gaining weight.
drink Ensure, if you are diabetic, drink Glucerna, This has alot of calories. It will help you gain weight. You can purchase it at your local pharmacy, Walmart etc. Ensure has a few flavors, but If you purchase Vanilla, you can add a flavor to it. You may also want to try putting it in the freezer and consuming it frozen. Good Luck!
My husband was very ill and lost lots of weight. We tried the food and then I bought Weiders Weight Gainer shakes. I mixed them with ice cream and he gained his weight back very quickly. Each shake contains about 500 calories and I gave my husband 3 daily.