Rapid weight gain after hysterectomy
Dear Donovan,As I am going into depression, I seek urgent advice about what I can do. It’s been nine months after my hysterectomy and I’m gaining weight daily. I’m 5’2” and I weighed 76 kilograms before the operation. I’m over 80 kilograms now. I was on a high protein diet before my operation and I’m still eating the same foods — nothing has changed.
My weight stays the same although I’ve been jogging. It feels like whatever I eat explodes in my body and makes me fat.
I’m not a big eater and my day starts with a high protein breakfast. Lunch is a salad or form of meat, and supper is also protein. I avoid foods like bread, rice and potatoes.
Please help. I can’t deal with what my body is going through!
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Sometimes it may also involve removal of the cervix, ovaries, Fallopian tubes and other surrounding structures. It renders a woman free from periods and child-bearing abilities, and the ovaries are frequently removed in some cases. However, removal of the uterus and ovaries may lead to long-term effects — rapid weight gain being one in your case.
Quite a few women find themselves gaining a considerable amount of weight in the first year following their hysterectomies. Some of the reasons a woman might gain weight after a hysterectomy include that the metabolism rate slows, there might be inactivity after surgery, oestrogen levels fall, and they might experience depression and pain after surgery.
With that said, I must advise you that the battle to keep your weight down will be ongoing, but you should never give up. It will be important to make further lifestyle changes. Your high protein diet may not work for you at this age. You may need a nutritionist to observe your diet and calorie intake.
Based on what you have been doing, you should not be gaining weight so rapidly. I suggest healthy, balanced meals with fruits, vegetables and juices and lean meat. The idea is that, along with possibly preventing weight gain, this could protect you from future health problems. These include osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
I suggest that you get a nutritionist to help you work out a better eating plan. You’ll also need ways to control stress levels. If you are feeling particularly stressed, this could affect your weight. If you still don’t see any changes in your weight after exercise and a new diet, see your doctor to see how far out of balance your hormones are. In this case, you may need hormone replacement therapy. The main point to note is that you can control your weight after a hysterectomy.
Good luck.
We will answer your weight-related questions
Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, 39 Lady Musgrave Road. Call him at 876-286-1363. E-mail questions to clarkep@jamaicaobserver.com .
