[Blueberrybook]

I had an appointment with my gastroenterologist this morning. (I had surgery for a perforated ulcer on Valentine's Day). He did confirm I could take up to 6 months to finish healing from inside out. Even though my hospital records are all about confusing ulcer repair, I mentioned to him I have to eat bland foods and don't have much appetite. I was told this is normal, but I am losing weight when I really don't have any weight to lose. He told me I need to realize the operation I had is practically akin to getting a gastric sleeve (not sure just how much the surgery resembles the gastric sleeve, I was so in shock, I didn't think to ask him)! OMG, no wonder I hardly have any appetite. I was a low-normal weight when I had this procedure and definitely did not need something akin to a gastric sleeve, but apparently, this is an invasive, dramatic surgery and it was that or die. I did get lucky in that the trauma surgeon did not have to remove half my stomach (that was a possibility he mentioned prior to the surgery). So, I don't know. He told me to bring up the weight loss/eating disorder thing with my new psychiatrist. I see the psychiatrist tomorrow, so it's not going to be a long wail. Moreover, I will likely be having to eat bland foods for 6 months or maybe longer. He did not think the ED caused the ulcer; he thought it was a combination of NSAIDs and a bacteria. I had a blood test for the bacteria while in the hospital and it was negative, but apparently the best judge is to do a biopsy during an upper endoscopy (so I will have that done, as well as looking for other ulcers and stomach problems next month).

Well, after all this information, I realize it is no wonder I hardly have an appetite. I was blaming it on hypomania from my bipolar disorder (mania always reduces my appetite), but now I think this surgical procedure definitely contributed. So he said if I eat too much or foods that are spicy, I will get acid reflux/heartburn/stomach upset/diarrhea and that I need to avoid fatty foods. He told me my BMI is low, and I definitely don't need to lose weight, but he didn't tell me what to do to avoid losing weight.

So it is no wonder this surgery is messing with my head. My weight was down again when they weighed me at the gastroenterologist. And then, there is that ED part of me that is happy about the weight loss and liking that my clothes are getting loose. It it really messing with my head!

[marvin_pa]

Originally Posted by cln1812

Well, after all this information, I realize it is no wonder I hardly have an appetite. I was blaming it on hypomania from my bipolar disorder (mania always reduces my appetite), but now I think this surgical procedure definitely contributed. So he said if I eat too much or foods that are spicy, I will get acid reflux/heartburn/stomach upset/diarrhea and that I need to avoid fatty foods. He told me my BMI is low, and I definitely don't need to lose weight, but he didn't tell me what to do to avoid losing weight.

Can you call the gastroenterologist's office & ask that question directly, along with whether you might need to add any specific supplements to your diet?

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by marvin_pa

Can you call the gastroenterologist's office & ask that question directly, along with whether you might need to add any specific supplements to your diet?

That’s a good idea. I will try giving them a call. The will probably suggest I see a dietitian, and I have no way to afford one. Finances were tight even before I got sick.

[marvin_pa]

Originally Posted by cln1812

That’s a good idea. I will try giving them a call. The will probably suggest I see a dietitian, and I have no way to afford one. Finances were tight even before I got sick.

I guess that they might suggest a dietitian, since they're aware of your disorder, but they must have some general suggestions that would broadly apply across most/all patients. Plus, you'd think that they'd be able to give some advice on what kind of weight loss to expect/is acceptable in your particular case.

I hate that healthcare costs money to the recipient, without taking full account of ability to pay - but that's a whole other discussion...