How do you gain weight with Crohn's Disease?

I have post operative Gastroparesis ..after a botched surgery done at my local clinic... that damaged many of the hairnet like network of nerves that empty the stomach.. Mayo nutritionist helped me try to gain back some of the 50 pounds I lost.. from 190... on a 5'-10 frame.. so now I have gained back 30 pounds.. I have ice cream after lunch and dinner.. but in reality it have a big container of trail mix that I make up using good unsalted mixed nuts, dried fruits such as craisins, and or apricots.. and peanut M&Ms.. that I eat some every time I go through the kitchen.. I cook for myself.. and I have slacked off of the strenuous exercise... Thats what people who want to lose weight do... right.. I have gained back 30 pounds.. that has taken 4 yrs... but Holiday time is a good time.. eat fruits.. and all those great home Christmas goodies.. just had some toffee...

@macombs You are finding it difficult to gain weight due to Crohn's Disease and you are looking to connect with other people like you.

You'll notice I changed the title of your discussion slightly. I did this to make it easier for you to connect with members like @astaingegerdm @maryjoyce @donnacarp @imatine. These members are active members of the Digestive Health group that may be able to help answer your question or point you in the right direction.

May I ask what you have done so far in an effort to gain weight?

I eat 5 meals instead of three. I eat ice cream after dinner and eat chocolate after lunch. I reduced my daily workout. Because of Crohns Disease I can not eat certain foods.

I reduced my workout time, I eat ice cream after dinner and chocolate after lunch. I eat 5 meals per day instead of 3.. Because of Crohns Disease I can not eat trail mix and certain other foods.

I don't have Crohn's but I lost a bunch of weight because of undiagnosed gallbladder trouble and the weight wants to not come back. This has never been my problem. I was the one who gained weight walking by the food. Since I am no longer eating any saturated fats I am hungry much of the time. I graze all day long and snack which interestingly has always been my preferred way of eating. Normal size meals give me stomach ache so I use tiny bowls. My sister is newly diagnosed with celiac and she is having the same. Eat eat eat. A bite here and a bite there. That's what I do. I may not gain but I am not losing. I bought a new coat that won't fit with an extra 10 lbs but I don't care. It is beautiful and I love it.

I,m not losing weight but I can not gain back the 20 pounds I lost in a surgery caused by Crohns. I eat 5 meals instead of 3, eat ice cream and chocolate every day. There are certain foods I can not eat because of Crohns

I too have been trying to regain the weight I lost after a botched surgery for Crohn's in 2015. I am 6' 2" and weigh 149 pounds. I weighed 169 before the surgery. On occasion I will regain 5 or 6 pounds, but I often have to go 2 or 3 days with just liquids. And there goes the weight I just gained. The problem is, for me at least, any advice on gaining weight for a healthy person does not apply for a person with a compromised digestive system as with Crohn's disease. I have been to dieticians who repeatedly offered advice that was just not feasible for someone with gut issues. You cannot just start stuffing your face with lots of food and expect to not pay the price..........so any advice would be appreciated.

I totally get that. I say trust yourself and ask yourself, "What sounds good to me?" I'm sure the dietitian has mentioned the high calorie liquid supplements that taste terrible. Before I became lactose intolerant I loved going to Sonic to sit in the car with my husband when the weather was hideous. We would order milkshakes and I sure miss that now that he has died and I moved to NYC and no longer have a car. I made smoothies from smoothie mixes that I bought from Weight Watchers or Carnation Instant Breakfast (how do you like that / I was a member way back with an extra 20 lbs that bothered me) - with milk, the mix, and whatever usually frozen fruit, banana, ice and sugar and whirled it in the Vita-mix until it was the consistency of a milkshake and I poured it into a tall glass and ate it with a long handled spoon. It became an every day ritual. I can pretty much manage anything that looks like dessert and isn't overly sweet. My nemesis has always been sweets and I have lost my crazy sweet tooth but I tolerate fruit best. I would encourage you to head toward what you like best whatever that it. When my children were very young and sick the pediatrician told me that even a piece of candy was better than eating nothing. I have never forgotten that. My mother would have thrown a brick at him. We can get better - I know we can. I am this minute picking at a big cup of stacked frozen pineapple, raspberry and blueberries, with a little raw sugar and slivered roasted almonds. A bite here and a bite there while I watch 'ol Joel O. Mr. Religion on TV. I am planning today to go to REI to buy a bunch of wool socks to give to each homeless person I see as I walk home. I hurts me to see people who are cold. Giving dry warm socks can help me and them.

Hi @jcarndt, the related discussions referenced may not specifically address diet and Crohn's. You may be interested in following the expert blog that has several blog posts and video interviews relevant to Crohn's disease:
- Gastroenterology & GI Surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/

In particular, see this interview with Dr. Sunanda Kane M.D. talking about the Food and Crohn’s Exacerbation Study (FACES)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/ccfa-to-study-impact-of-specific-diets-on-crohns-disease-1/
Results of this study would be a good suggestion for a follow up interview with Dr. Kane. I will submit this suggestion to the authors of the blog.

I started to eat ice cream and chocolate every day. This seems to help slightly. I agree with you that you just can,t stuff yourself every meal. Good luck