Difficulty Gaining weight

Posted by macombs @macombs, Dec 1, 2020

I have difficulty gaining weight. I am 6 1 and 155 lbs. Has anyone had this problem and what have you done?

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Running the same scenario. Recently diagnosed with gastroparesis (7wks ago). 53, 120lbs. Not diabetic. Recently had endo and coloscopy done (all good). Used to be 148-153lbs, long time decreasing. Trying to eat slower and more frequent, smaller meals. Protein drinks, small portions, limiting high fiber foods. Taking Metacloplamide 10mg. Recording calorie intake (1800-2000 avg) daily. Minimal working out, mostly flexibility and stretching. Check weight, BMI, BFI weekly. So far weight gain barely increasing a few points, but BFI decreasing. BMI just over 18.3, borderline malnourished.

Any suggestions to increase weight with high calorie foods without tearing my insides apart? Or maybe straight liquid diet?

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@sueinmn

We are surely in a minority in the population - I too have been having difficulty gaining weight after a long illness and the antibiotics I had to take.
Here are some strategies I used when I was on the meds, and constantly nauseated with little appetite. Over the past 12 months, I have successfully gained 5 pounds (I'm only 5'1" and trying to get to 110#)
These recommendations came from a nutritionist and a friend has lived with this issue for 7 years after having a feeding tube removed:
Frequent, small amounts of high-density good food - cashews, cheese, full-fat yogurt, healthy snack bars, hard boiled egg, lean turkey or chicken on whole-grain crackers...try for 200-250 calories every 2 hours.
Orgain Liquid Protein Drink - either from powder or single servings. If you are lactose intolerant, they have a plant-based one - or add the powder to any kind of soup or beverage.
Fruit-vegetable smoothies with added protein powder for lunch - loaded with whatever fruits and veg are in the frig or freezer - I make up 3-4 shakes at a time & store in refrigerator.
Carnation Instant Breakfast in my morning coffee, followed by breakfast of fruit & yogurt 2 hours later.
Sue

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Hello @sueinmn, those are great weight gaining suggestions for @macombs and others who are trying to keep some weight on. I've also added Atkins Shakes. They are a bit more pricey than the other liquid nutrition drinks but they are low in carbs and that makes them better for a diabetic (or pre-diabetic). They also have a fair amount of fiber which is important if you can't eat a lot.

I use Atkins shakes with a banana in the blender. It is a great start to the day. Also, adding peanut butter powder will add extra protein.

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@gegrafton It has been nearly 6 years since developing gastroparesis as a result of a botched surgery that I had at the local Central Iowa Clinic/Hospital.. Mayo MN diagnosed it in a day and gave me a way to cope.... I Had lost 50+ pounds.. now having gained back 25+..I am doing pretty good most days... How you eat is really important to my survival day to day.. chewing very well, cutting things up very small or even using a food processor or blender a lot.. Having the food go down with accompanying sauce or liquid really helps me.. I am male, 83 years old..5'10".. weighing 176-8 .. How tall are you? .... I am thin, slender, no protruding gut.. but I eat very frequently.. I make up trail mix of Mixed Nuts (unsalted no, peanuts), dried crasins, dried apricots, Peanut M&Ms... to snack on each time I go through the kitchen.. I have Ice Cream with a Strawberry Topping I make after meals...except breakfast... I eat a mostly alone these days taking my time... each course of the meal is a series...that can last an hour.. I drink coffee in the morning.. and Pedialyte .. to help with hydration.. I can rarely drink water or a juice with the meal ... Good Luck... Most other people simply do not understand what you are going through each and every time you eat... The haunting questions... will it stay down?.. will I bloat?.. Sitting up to rest when there is food in your stomach is mandatory.. Gravity has to work when those stomach nerves don't do their job... Exercise is what overweight folks do to lose weight... We can only exercise to be toned and agile... Ken..

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I have Crohns Disease. and in 2013 I had 7 blockages and lost 20 pounds (6ft. 1 in.)I can not eat nuts. I have 1 1/2 cans of Boost Plus every day and eat 5 meals a day.

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