My Mum is 65 and 5ft 5/5ft 4 in height. Over the last 18 months she has gone from just over 9st to 8 stone or just under. She lost weight due to a stomach bug and it never went back on...she then had another bug and the same thing happened. I figure this has happened 3 times over that time period. When I have a tummy bug I may "lose" 5lbs but it goes back on but it isn't with her.
The added complication is that she has a very limited diet due to stomach/colon problems (she had colon cancer..dont know all the details) so she can't just "pig out" to gain the weight back. She eats mainly fish/bread/vegetables/salads/yogurt/cheese I think (haven't lived at home for 12 years so not quite sure but that is basically her diet). Any "rich" foods just give her upset tummy.
She came over today and I noticed she looked thiner and she weighed herself and my wizzy scales said she was 8 stone (this was in the middle of the day with clothes on). She is extremely active and gardens lots and has lots of muscles but there is nothing to her. My dad phoned up just now without her knowing and expressed his concern about her weight. He doesn't seem to think she wants to do anything about it..from my chat with her I think that she does..she just doesn't know what to do given her limited diet. She spoke to the doctor previously but he was only interested in if she had lost the weight suddenly or over time. I get the impression that it is the same doctor she has had forever and that he isn't very clued up on womens health! I told my Dad she should see a female doctor but he isn't sure she would do that.
Anyway...I am going to do some research on the internet but thought I would give Mumsnet my first visit in the hope that people have ideas on what to do next and how she could gain weight. Dad mentioned products which he remembers being advertised called "Weight ON" or something like that but it made me think that I have seen stuff like that before in Boots but I thought they were just for body builders etc?
Sorry..long waffling post..I hope it makes sense..would just like some thoughts/ideas as it is scary when you have to start thinking about your parents health!
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Worried about my Mum's weight - how to help her gain weight?
12 replies
futurity · 02/05/2004 19:48
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