New and still worried sick about weight loss!!!

Annietere

I lost 11 pounds from the day I found out I had breast cancer until the day of the surgery (about 3 weeks). I hard from some encouraging ladies who said they had lost some weight after diagnosis.   I am trying to figure out how common this is?    Did anyone else loose weight after diagnosis?  My other question is, how long did it take for you to put it back on?  It has been 6 months and I have only manage to regain about 3 pounds.  I am done with all surgeries and   I am back to eating like normal but my weight just won't come back. How long did it take other ladies to regain the weight lost after the diagnosis.  I would appreciate any feedback.  I am really trying to put this weight concern out of my mind so that I can move on, but every time I reach for one of my old outfits the anxiety starts again.  As I stated previously, I did have a CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis in June and it came back clear.     

KathyL624

I lost 10 pounds in the month between diagnosis and surgery. Then I lost 5 more and have not regained any. I think it is common due to how much stress we are under

BarredOwl

Hi Annietere:

I lost weight initially from lost appetite. Considering lifestyle factors, I implemented some dietary changes, lost a few more pounds (after surgery), and I have kept it off for now. After a life-time of weighing myself to make sure my weight was not creeping up, for the past three years, I have been weighing myself to make sure I don't lose any more weight. If I visit my mom, I can still pack on a few pounds in a short time, but it comes off quickly when I resume my more spartan diet.

With a diagnosis of DCIS-MI, your prognosis is very similar to that of DCIS. Ordinarily, with this type diagnosis, one would not receive any scans. Were there some symptoms of concern on the part of medical personnel that led to the testing (e.g., CT), and is that why you are seemingly questioning the negative test results? It would seem like the tests further support no evidence of disease and the good prognosis.

Members in your other thread suggested that continuing anxiety may be a factor. I would also note that fat tissue is not inert and can impact metabolism. In other words, it works to maintain itself. Having shed some pounds, if you were eating a healthy diet to begin with (limited added sugar, lots of vegetables, etcetera), even if you have made no significant changes in diet, perhaps you have established a new, lower set point. In this case, if your weight is now a healthy weight (e.g., normal BMI), and if you have no other physical symptoms of concern, you may wish to look into approaches to relaxation (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, Tai Chi, Qi-Gong).

On the other hand, if you are not at a healthy weight (underweight), you can consult with your primary care physician about it, and request a referral to a nutritionist (to ensure adequate protein, other nutrients, etc.). Similarly, if you have any other physical symptoms (e.g., thinning hair, other), then check in with your primary care physician to exclude other possible explanations.

BarredOwl

Annietere

I have no other symptoms.  I was so scared about the weight loss that they decided to do CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis put me at ease.  I am  5'1 and went from 131 to 120.  I am now hovering around 123- 124 so my BMI is good.  I have resumed my regular diet with some tweaks- no red meat, less sugar, etc. and have cut back on wine to about 3 glasses a week.  I have resumed my work out routine which was extensive as I am a marathon runner-, and weight lifting 3 times a week. I put on those first 3 or 4 pounds back on rather quickly in July , but since then it has stopped- no matter what I eat.  I had my reconstruction surgery in September  and figured I would pack on the pounds just sitting around eating and not working out- but again nothing.  I am back to working out again- and the weight has stayed the same.     

Annietere

Thanks KathyL.  Are you back to eating normally, and still find the weight won't come back? 

BarredOwl

No symptoms is good. It sounds like you have made a few changes which could explain it, particularly with a robust exercise regimen like yours! Exercise, less added sugar, and less alcohol are all healthy steps. The combined caloric reduction and impact on metabolism of reducing sugar (e.g., sugars raise insulin and promote fat storage) can be surprisingly effective to control weight, even with a more moderate exercise program. I am 5'2". Pre-diagnosis, I was ~122, and now I am ~105. I never drank much alcohol, but made comparable changes (I cut out fruit juice (~100 -120 calories/day, 22-36 g sugar per cup), stopped drinking milk (100-200 calories per day), and cut some added sugars (e.g., avoiding certain processed foods and dessert foods)).

BarredOwl

bluepearl

I lost 20 pounds between diagnosis and treatment. I was a wreck, didn't eat and walked about 10 miles a day. I put it all back on but now am taking it off again with my ketogenic diet. I lost weight the second diagnosis as well, but not as much. Stress is bad.