Putting on Weight for Surgery!?

[alyssa.star]

Hiya,

How's all?

I'm going to Florida in December so if the Discograms show that any of the discs are my pain genertors then the surgery would probably have to be in January as I am all booked for my cousins wedding.

My main question is I am a tad concerned I am going to be told to put on weight before the surgery (???), I am a little underweight I think... I'm pretty sure. My main problem is that my appetite is suppressed by the painkillers etc. I know for a fact I'll probably put on weight in Florida as my family will be making loads (and I don't use the word 'loads' lightly) of yummy Indian food and we'll also be eating out plenty. Although it still concerns me. My appetite is not that of a normal 21 year olds.

Have any of you got any advice or suggestions about this issue?

Lots of love from Lyssie xxx

[ajj1001]

Where are you on the weight charts? You do lose a bit when actually undergoing surgery so having a safe margin pre surgery is advisable. BMI is not that a reliable indicator whereas a body fat analysis is a more accurate measure of your safe range. I would focus on good nutrition so that you are in thd best possilbe shape to recover (think fuel for recovery, building bone, muscle, ligaments etc)

[alyssa.star]

Hi Alison, I am 123lbs and am 5 foot 6 inches, I'm not sure how to work out all this weight stuff I'm afraid. I mean don't get me wrong I eat vegetables every day with dinner (which is varied), have fruit that my mum grows in the garden etc. But it's just not getting my weight up. As my appetite is suppressed. I'm eating 3 meals a day and 3 snacks as you should. I will be eating plenty of seafood (lobster etc.) in Florida. And I will deffinetly have veggies with my Indian food.

Do you know what types of food I should be focusing on?

Thank you so much for your reply,

Lyssie xx

[ajj1001]

You sound like you are reasonably well in the range you are meant to be but it depends on your build type. From the description of your diet you sound a little light of carbs, ie pasta/rice/potatoes. The practice nurses at most doctors are very good at advising how to eat properly and are a good source of monitoring things such as this before any medical procedure. They can give a diet sheet and plot where you are and where you should be.

[alyssa.star]

Ahh I see, thank you Alison. I am going to ring my GP in the morning and ask them who I need to book an appointment with etc. so I can maybe get a diet sheet, and some nutritional information and how to maintain a balanced diet. I do have a very slim build/small frame and small bones. But I guess that's just the way I'm made and all that (I mean my collar bones stick out a lot!). I just thought this partly because Mr Lam said I was quite slim and he said that the painkillers act as an appitite supressant etc. Thank you again xx

[Alastair]

There is a BMI calculator on the website in the FAQs, the ideal body weight ADR is between 20 and 25, your BMI is 19 so you're a little on the skinny side
Best,
Alastair

[ajj1001]

BMI is not an ideal tool on its own for measuring correct weight as it takes no account of muscle mass or build. Body composition analysis looking at body fat using callipers or an electronic body fat analysis and measuring where the weight is carried provides a much more rounded picture of someone's overall health.

[Alastair]

True but before a surgery is decided upon, the patient should have

1 A physical exam by the Dr

2 MRI or the relevant imaging

3 BMI is relevant as it is an anterior approach

4 The overall fitness of the patient is also a factor

5 Any previous surgeries also

Build can be a factor but its one of many amongst many others