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1337483 tn?1383544183

apendectomy weight loss ? ? ?

I had a apendectomy in oct 2009 and I weighed abot 220 and im 5'9"...after the succesful surgery I have lost about 40lbs......I now weight about 178....I havent weighed that much since I was in high school and Im 26....I have struggled to loose weight since 2002...and all of a sudden after the surgery I lost all that?.....after the surgery my apetite has gone down i only eat like once aday which is unsual for me.....any ideas on why I lost so much weight and my apertite ?
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Avatar universal
I'm glad I was able to be of some help :)

It sound to me like your change in diet may very well have a good bit to do with your weight loss - not only just because of the types of food you're eating, but also because those foods have a lot of fiber, which will make you feel full faster.  Also, just switching from beer to water can result in a weight loss and I find, at least for me, water is a natural appetite suppressent.  The more of it I drink, the less I want to eat (good thing in my case!)

I would say at this point just keep an eye on the weight loss, don't worry about it too much, but yet, if you start with other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or change in bowel habits - or if you start losing it too fast (usually more than about 2 pounds per week), then I would definitely get it checked out.
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1337483 tn?1383544183
You are of great help to me ..... But ya you bring up a great point because I DO infact get full faster than what I usually did and I find myself eating more healthy foods like celery sticks apples and drinkin alot of spring water...so I am guessing its for the best
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Avatar universal
I'm glad to hear that you're not feeling "ill" with the weight loss and not having any other sypmtoms that might indicate a problem.

I'm afraid I can't accurately answer your question about others (or me) losing a good bit of weight following an appendectomy.  My appendix was actually removed during my hysterectomy (it wasn't giving me any troubles, but was actually removed as a precautionary measure so I wouldn't have to have another possible abdominal surgery down the road - something they would most likely NEVER do nowadays - this was in 1997).  While I did lose some weight initially following that surgery, as a result of hormone imbalance (surgically induced), as well as some other health issues, I had to take some medication that caused me to gain back the weight I had lost, plus more.  I honestly don't know if I would have continued to lose weight after the surgery if I hadn't been put on that medication or not - I might have (I certainly would have been happy if I had!)

Based on when you said your surgery was, and the date now, your weight loss, while very impressive, doesn't sound like it's at an unhealthy rate.

You mentioned that your appetite seemed to have gone out the window - do you not get hungry at all and have to force yourself to eat, or do you get filled up faster than what you did before?  Now that you're home from college, are you still eating the "college diet, i.e., late night taco bell and beer (my college "diet" was mac/cheese, pizza and beer! - the mac/cheese was one of the very limited things we could make in our dorm rooms in a "hot pot", as we were not permitted any microwaves or any other cooking devices - that tells you how OLD I am!!  LOL).  Anyway - do you find yourself still eating that type of food or are you now eating things that are a little more healthy (although sometimes not as satisfying!)?

Honestly, really the only thing that has me a bit concerned/worried with your question is about you saying your appetite is out the window - if you're not feeling up to eating for one reason or another, it could be something that should be checked out by your doctor.  However, since you're not having any other "symptoms" and not losing at an obviously unhealthy rate, I honestly don't think it's anything serious.  Of course, I'm not a doctor either, so I might be totally wrong in that thinking.

I'm sorry I'm not of more help :(
Helpful - 0
1337483 tn?1383544183
Thank you for your detailed response, I have not had any type of symptoms before or after the surgery untill the day I went to the hospital to get it out......When I was weighing between 220-235 I was working out all the time at least 4 days a week while in college but I also was on the college diet (late night taco bell and beer).....but even after I came home from college I was still 220 and wasnt loosing anything even with working out....Its like after I had the apendectomy My appetite went out the window, and Im not complaining I just dont want to let this pass unnoticed and then 5 years down the road i have some type of serious trouble....I feel fine now just as I did before Im just about 40-50 lbs lighter and I didnt know if that happens to alot of people who have apendectomys
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Are you having any "symptoms" along with your weight loss such as pain, fevers, nausea, etc.?  If not, I wouldn't worry too much.  Are you taking any medications now that you weren't taking before the surgery or vice versa?  there are many medications that can cause an increase in appetite and when these medications are stopped, most of the time the appetite reduces greatly.

One possible reason is that if you were not feeling 100% before the surgery (it's possible to hae a chronic appendix that gives problems but doesn't give the typical acute pain - just makes you feel not quite yourself) - you weren't getting as much exercise as you may be getting now and the combination of feeling better and also being able to do more has been a natural appetite suppressant for you.

Again, so long as you're not having other symptoms AND you're not losing more than like 2 pounds per weeks (a good, safe weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week), I wouldn't worry.  Be sure that whatever you ARE eating is high in nutrients.  You may also want to consider taking a multi vitamin to maybe make up any essential vitamins and minerals that you might not be getting since you're not eating as much.

If you start having any other troublesome symptoms - pain, fever, weakness, dizziness -- or are losing or start to lose more than 2 pounds per week - I would definitely consult your doctor.
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