After TT and the RAI how much weight am I going to gain?

[KathyD]

Im getting worried about what will happen after my surgery on the 21st to take out the rest of my thyroid and then the RAI six weeks later. I am already overweight and struggling to lose.  Will I Only gain and how much...is there anyway to lose period ?
I think I am more worried about gaining more weight than the surgery next week!  My 2cm nodule was papillary cancer after lobetomy so the fun begins next week. ;)

[venora]

You may not gain any weight.I have only gained 9 pounds since my surgery back in Sept.so thats not so condsidering how long it is taking my sternum to heal
WE can loose wight.I have heard lots of good things about Mary Shomons diet for thyroid folks and I am going to try it as soon as I am done with my RAI.
I do take walks around the neighborhood now that the weather is getting warmer.
Hang in there and try not to worry so much.You will do just fine.
Love Venora

[tm514]

On an encouraging note, I was worried about struggling to keep from getting even heavier than I was pre-surgery last May.  I did gain some weight over the summer, which was frustrating, because summer is when I usually lose weight, but my thyroid levels were hypo.  I had synthroid adjusted in September, started a step aerobics program, and started to fix my not so great eating habits, and I have actually lost 5 or 6 pounds, even with the holidays thrown in there for good measure.  I don't like the word "diet", so it works for me to make permanent changes in how I eat, one small step at a time.  Good Luck!

[KathyD]

So glad to hear .. I had read some information that said alot of ppl that have the RAI end up obese and I totally freaked.  feeling much better now .  Thank you!

[worried§waiting]

Your doc will want to keep your TSH suppressed as you had your thyroid out because of cancer--- so you should lose weight, not gain... around .5ish for TSH. In effect, your metab. will be working faster so you should be burning calories and such at a faster rate.

I think weight gain becomes an issue when thyroid is taken out for other reasons and so docs don't worry/care how your TSH is as long as it gets down to under that 3-5 range whereas the med community thinks is normal.

So look at it positively :-) Now you have extra help on your side to keep your weight down/off. Believe it or not-- some people (illegally) take the very same thyroid meds you will be on as a way to lose weight.

[KathyD]

Wow...I had no clue.  Thought quite the opposite.  I have been a bit depressed thinking about gaining and actually have been working out like crazy to get ready for next week, although havent lost anything but thats the usual.  Atleast I might have something to actually look forward to then :)