post treatment weight gain

[sandimn]

My last chemo and radiation treatment were last June 21st.  I had adenocarcinoma stage IIIb, inoperable.
After 7 rounds of cisplatin and taxotere, and 6 weeks of radiation my cancer was in remission.  I am so grateful to be here.  I have several post treatments problems and one is a 27lb weight gain.  No matter what I do to reduce this weight, it isn't working.  One of the many side effects is Hashimoto's disease and I am on synthroid which hasn't hindered my weight gain or helped me to lose.  I do understand that my body needs some of this weight to heal itself.  When I was firstly diagnosed I was 106lbs and I am 5' 1/1/2".  Prior to my cancer I was in great shape and good BMI and quite toned.  Now I don't recognize this person in the mirror.  My questions are is this normal? How long does it last?  Is there anything I can do to hurry the weight loss along?  I excersize 4-5 days a week, 30 minutes on the treadmill with built in programs and inclines and 30 minutes of swimming.  I also do serious yard work and gardening as well as stretching, yoga and weight training.  I also have a healthy diet regiment and take a great deal of vitamins and supplements.
I do understand I will never be who I was.  I would just like to be comfortable in my skin and new body.  I don't need to lose 27lbs, I would be happy to lose 10 to start.
Thank you,
SandiMN

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

It may be a good idea to consult a dietician to see if the amount you eat is actually not beyond the amount you are actually burning. Taking medications to limit absorption of fat is another way to go, best discuss this with a doctor though. Try to find out is there were steroids given to you during the chemo and radiation, as this also affects weight gain.

[sandimn]

Yes, I was given steroids with every chemo session.  I just started Alli to help with the fat content.  I watch every calorie that I take in.  I burn about a quarter to one third of the calories I take in.  I do not eat past 6pm and am almost a vegan at this point.  I ingest  less then 1200 calories a day and try to maintain 3 veggie servings and 2-3 fruit servings a day.  How long do the steroids affect your body?  How soon can I start to see results from my diet?  Is there anything else that I can take that would flush the steroids or bypass their hold on me?
I appreciate your guidance so much.  Believe me, I am grateful for all that I have and I do know how lucky I am to be here.
Sandimn