Re: TPN and Weight Gain or Loss

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the low fat recipe site. I posted a couple of times, but to

introduce myself -- I'm Ginny, wife of Henry, who has pancreatitis. Henry's

been in and out of the hospital since January. Finally got to Duke University

Medical Center and they put drainage tubes in 3 places. He got out one week

ago and is doing well on TPN as far as being comfortable. It runs 24 hours a

day except for short breaks. This is because he could only tolerate 80 ml per

hour, not the 120 they tried to bump it up to so it could only be on at night.

About ginger ale -- whenever he doesn't feel well that's what he wants. Duke

had plenty of it and that's all they would give him. They sent him home with

ginger ale his only approved thing by mouth! Ginger is well known for being

soothing or whatever - hence ginger ale is also, I guess.

Any comments about how anyone has managed to gain weight back? Henry is down

25 pounds and he only weighed 140 to start with! The TPN is supposed to be at

maintenance, but he's losing weight. When he goes back on food (hopefully in

two weeks at his return visit to the pancreatic surgeon who is his main doctor),

how can he gain on low fat diet?

Thanks --

Ginny

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

[Guest guest]

Hi All!

I've got a four-day weekend coming up and will be watching for any hints or

insight into helping my husband gain his weight back when he's allowed to eat

again. Thanks in advance. Is drinking Ensure or Boost along with meals a good

idea when you have pancreatitis?

Ginny White

[Guest guest]

Ginny,

I've managed to keep my weight at a maintenance level by

upping my daily carbohydrates. You can have carbohydrates

that have little to no fat. I know I could stand to lose

some weight, but I'm afraid that I'll lose too much. I'm

currently starting to cut down on the carbs a little bit at

the moment.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to

that of a licensed physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Kimber,

but how do you GAIN weight? My husband only weighed 140 pounds healthy and

has lost 25 pounds or a little bit more. He has gained back a couple. A

week from Tuesday he goes back to the doctor and may go back on food then.

So carbs is the way to go?

Ginny

" And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose. "

Romans 8:28

[Guest guest]

Ginny,

I think someone mentioned Ensure or other supplement drinks

are one way to help gain weight. Look for ones that have the

highest carbohydrate content. Also, taking pancreatic

enzymes should help as well as they will help the bowel

absorb more nutrition from what he eats. You might want to

make an appointment with a nutritonist or dietician and they

should be able to give you additional ideas on how your

husband can actually gain weight instead of lose it.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to

that of a licensed physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

> I've got a four-day weekend coming up and will be watching for

any hints or insight into helping my husband gain his weight

back when he's allowed to eat again. Is drinking Ensure or Boost

along with meals a good idea when you have pancreatitis?

Ginny White

Ginny,

I have been out of town for several days, and then my laptop that I

had taken with me, broke, so I'm sorry it's taken a few days to

reply to your message about suitable supplements for weight

gain.

Yes, you can supplement with Ensure or Boost. They usually do

have a higher fat gram content, though, so I would suggest that

you start slowly, maybe using only half a can, until you know how

well Harry can tolerate it. Also make sure that he takes all his

enzymes when he's using it. I have even used Slimfast, which is

lower in fat grams, and calories, but since it's still high in good

vitamins and nutrients it provides good nourishment.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

Bluffton, SC

State and Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments are personal opinion only, and should not

be a substitute for professional medical consultation.