Persistent weight loss after cholecystectomy?

[Fuzzz]

I had my gallbladder out 2 weeks ago, after having very vague symptoms of nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and LEFT upper abdominal discomfort.  I only saw a surgeon because of a breast lump I had, but fortunately he asked about my weight and I told him about my other symptoms.  He did an ultrasound on the spot and saw a large gallstone.  So I had lumpectomy and lap chole 2 weeks ago.  At first I had an appetite, but since then I've lost it.  My weight (I am a female) continues to drop so that at 5'6" I'm down to 108 with lots of muscle wasting.  I still have problems with the smell of food and have to force myself to eat.  I'm using Boost, but it only has about 245 calories per bottle.  I need my muscles for my job.  I did get some digestive enzymes at GNC today.  Should that help me gain weight or feel hungry?  I did stop coffee, which is quite a shock.  I don't drink soda except ginger ale in hopes it will help.  Anything else I can do?  

[Fuzzz]

I'm replying to myself, but I wanted to say that with some food experimentation I seem to have conquered my appetite problem!  

I normally don't do the food shopping, but I decided I needed to go and choose food myself (I usually just eat whatever hubby buys because I wouldn't normally care).  

I decided to try some high-calorie foods that were bland.  I was on the phone with DH adn told him I got bagels with raisins, so he suggested cream cheese.  I figured that would boost calories, but forgot the cream cheese is what put me into a gallbladder attack before surgery (cheesecake party where I ate only 2 bites of cheesecake).  

So the first meal of half a bagel had cream cheese at 5:30 a.m. bit me in the belly at about 9:15 a.m.  I realized the cream cheese was a mistake then, but after about 40 minutes I was okay again.  But I noticed I also had a feeling of fullness and didn't feel starved and weak anymore.  So I have eaten more bagels, with a touch of butter or plain.  I'm feeling better!  I also stopped packing "healthy" lunches like Lean Cuisine because the cooking odors were nauseating.  Instead I packed a roast beef sandwhich with a little mayo.  That went down fine also!   We had steak and lima beans for lunch to get more protein and calories in.  It was a strip steak, so it had moderate fat content.  I feel fine!  The scales haven't changed much yet, but the gaunt look is gone!  I'm very encouraged now.  

I hope this helps somebody else.  

[Fuzzz]

Thanks for the tips!  Funny thing is that I gave up peanut butter about 1 year ago because it seemed to be clogging my intestines.  (My colon is so tortuous that the gastroenterologist could only check my sigmoid colon and no further, which explains my life-long battle with constipation that I'd always been told was a psychatric problem!).  Guess I'll try some different oils and see what has the least taste when added to Boost.  

[teamgo]

When I was really sick wih Ulcerative Colitis 12 years ago and needed do gain weight, the doctors had me add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to my boost/ensure. Also, they suggested eating macadamia nuts (which are really fattening) and peanut butter. If your digestive track can't handle the nuts, maybe try the oil. Good luck!