Need help and advise please

[blossom2112]

I was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and have had to have a full hysterectomy. Prior to this I have always weighed 52 kilos. I am 5 ft 2″. Since surgery I have jumped up to 60 kilos. In the last 4 weeks I have now increased to 65 kilos. I have had coeliac disease since birth and always need to stick to a strick gluten free diet. If anything I eat too little and not enough colories per day yet I always eat healthy foods like salads, fresh meat, fruit and vegatables and only drink water. Im just confused why I am gaining so much weight. Can anyone help me please to get back to my original weight? Thanks

[Ossie-Sharon]

Hi, Blossom. Hopefully you are receiving medical follow-up, and your providers are aware of the weight gain and checking for non-diet-related possibilities (such as water retention). Nutriton-wise, most likely your body is reacting to the hormonal changes inherent in a hysterectomy – much like menopause. In many women, such hormonal changes are accompanied by recalcitrant weight gain, especially around the belly area. Beyond that, if you eat too little, that slows down your metabolic rate, which ironically results in weight gain; if this eating habit follows a period of poor eating due to the cancer and/or treatment, or even an “attack” of celiac (with malabsorption), the effect is magnified. Add to this the sometimes overuse of refined carbohydrates in gluten-free products, and even non-diabetics gain weight from insulin imbalances.
Our program is designed to deal specifically with all of the above.
The foods we recommend are gentle to your blood sugar and insulin – even the carbohydrates, many of which are gluten-free – and big on protein and good fats, which answer directly to the hormone issue. Some of these foods many be unfamiliar to you, but I would encourage you to take a chance, try some, experiment with various recipes here. I recommend that you get used to the pattern of the menus you get from the Menu Planner application – the placement of food groups and combinations, portion sizes, and timing. It may take your body some time to get used to it, so be patient.
Just as important is the element of physical activity, which can provide the biggest boost to your metabolic rate. Exercise does not have to be very intense and tiring, or all or nothing – if you are not active, then ease into it, i.e. a few minutes at first, then every few days a little more and a little more until you reach perhaps 30 minutes, and you can use non-impact exercises.
Above all – patience. With the right steps, even if they seem to be slowing things down, you may very well be able to get back to our original weight, and get even more healthy doing it.

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