Unintended weight loss

Unintended weight loss is a concern. When I have had it, it has been because of a flare up of Crohn's disease. I would suggest a follow-up with your medical team. It may help to talk with a dietician to figure out how to address the challenges of your diabetes and weight loss and ileostomy.

Not sure how old you are but as you get older you don't eat as much at least I don't .I had a colon that busted and lost down to 95 pounds but now back up to 104 but keeping my weight down.

@catbaloo76 About eating less as you age...that is so true. Both my husband and I are in our mid-80s and about two years ago, we both rather suddenly starting eating less.

Of course, speaking of losing weight...I lost 30 pounds right after I got my urethral catheter...to go along with my brand new ostomy...had a major breakdown, was polydrugged...thanks, doctors,...and hardly ate for about a month. I had lived to 82 without basically knowing SFA about tranquilizers, benzos and anti-depressants...oh boy do I know now!

@catbaloo76 I used to be about 143 Lbs, but I had rapid weight loss down to 104 lbs. I was literally constipated for 3-4 months and in pain. Lost muscle in my legs and upper arms and could hardly walk ir get out of bed! I was afraid to eat because of the constipation, nothing smelled or tasted good to me. Felt like I was living in someone else’s body. I could see the fear in my 2 kids’ faces that they thought I was dying. I was in hospital 8 days and then went to a rehab hospital for 2 weeks to build my muscles. I felt so much better after that. My little grandsons were my inspiration to work hard to get well.

@adlib071 WOW sounds like you had a very hard time, so glad your feeling better . Sometimes life is hard I know for me The Lord helps me even my Dr told me someone really loves you and I told him my Lord Jesus loves me.Have a great weekenr.

@catbaloo76 Oh yes, I pray every day. I am home now after my reversal surgery Monday morning...came home Wednesday! I am so happy not to have that ileostomy bag anymore! But now the challenge is learning what my new normal is. My rectum was removed due being prolapsed, narrow and inflamed. Repair work was done my muscles during my 10 hour surgery which was originally supposed to be for colon resection and removal of a fistula. I think they also removed my appendix! (At least I won't ever have appendicitis LOL) When they got in there. they discovered all these other problems, which is why surgery took so long. I have only gained 10 more pounds since November, but I am pretty sure more weight will come back....trying not to gain all of it.

At 4 am Tuesday, after my surgery, I suddenly had uncontrollable diarrhea for about 6 hours. I was so upset and wondered if the surgery was worth it. But, I fell asleep and it stopped. Since then, it has gotten a bit better, but different than I was used to. Softer stools that almost slide out easily. However, I have been able to get to the toilet without any catastrophes at home. I can definitely tell my muscles are different.....just need to get used to my new norm! But I think it will be ok. I just want to leave all this behind and look forward to a more normal life! I will be so happy to have my body back with nobody poking, prodding and examining my private parts! I'm so tired of it!! As my dad always said, "It beats the alternative!" I thank the Lord for hearing my prayers and helping me to be strong through this nightmare.

@adlib071 I'm so happy for you, so they had to open you up again? That is really a long surgery,that's what I'm afraid of ,I think not knowing is really scary,still not sure if I want to go through the surgery again, the Lord let me live after the last surgery, but may die if I have this reversal, I think I have PTSD ,I keep thinking about my last surgery,they had to go in twice and I was in the hospital and rehab for almost 3 months don't want to do that again.. it's funny my stomach never hurt,it was my back that hurt me so bad.But God is good and so glad he answered your prayers and know your will do great.

@catbaloo76 Noooo. The reversal surgery is not long at all! Believe me, my surgery in November was 10 HOURS long!! They had so much more to deal with when they got in there that they did not know about. Originally, they were going to do a colon resection (only 6" removed) and then had to remove a fistula that was from my colon and connected to my uterus. But. they found so much inflammation in me....had to remove my prolapsed rectum (which she said was so narrow, nothing could pass through it) and they had to repair my muscles, had to put in 100 stitches and they removed my appendix too! That surgery was supposed to be 3-5 hours, but it ended up being 10 hrs.

The reversal surgery, I believe only took about 45 minutes! What they do is make the opening where the stoma is just a little bit bigger. They pull up the intestine (stoma) and sew it back together and put it back inside and suture the opening. (My surgeon described it was like a garden hose that you bend it and it is only cut open half way. That is how the waste goes into the ileostomy bag. When they reverse it, they just stitch that half slit shut.) That surgery was not bad at all! I'm a little sore, but I am on meds for that. Just have to rest, don't lift anything over 10 lbs., no driving for a week. I am SO GLAD that bag is gone!!
The only bad part was at 4 am Tuesday, (at hospital) I suddenly had uncontrollable diarrhea for about 6 hours. I got upset and wondered if the surgery was a good idea. I finally just went to sleep and after that, things started improving. Everyone is different though, but just have to be patient and realize that the colon needs to adjust after being shut down for so many months.
My bowel movements have improved, getting more normal. However, sometimes have to go several times and then it's ok. I have not had any catastrophes since I have been home. Thank goodness. I am really happy to be semi-normal again!!

I am 72 and I have worried about all this surgery and anesthesia at my age, so I understand how you feel. But this reversal is a piece of cake after what we both went through with the other surgery! All I have to do is change the gauze bandage each day. When it stops oozing, I am supposed to let it air dry (no more bandage).

My big surgery was robotic surgery and I swear, I had NO PAIN after all that!! I had been in so much pain BEFORE the surgery from the fistula and basically being constipated for 3-4 months! My first thought when I woke up was "I don't hurt anymore!" I did not even need home care. I was in hospital 8 days and then was transferred to a rehab hospital for 2 weeks. Had to build muscle in my arms and legs. It was amazing how good I felt when I went home!

I look terrible after losing 40 lbs and more than half my hair is gone! I got down to 104 lbs! I have gained about 10-14 lbs. now and feel better. Just hope my hair comes back.