1 year post op, 5 lbs to goal, and diagnosed with breast cancer!

Unfortunately I am ER/PR+. I just had my surgery on 4 Sep. I find out early next week which chemotherapy regimen to start. I'm stage 3 and the doc says I need chemo and radiation.

Thanks for the prayers and thanks for the link!

Well good luck with the doc and I hope that everything works out for you.  Keep me posted and I got all the chicks and prayers flying high for you.  I know that your dealing with a lot right now and I just want you to know that you are in my prayrers. 
Marylin

Hi,

I had RNY surgery 6/21/07 & chemo began Sept 07 & finished Feb. 14, 2008.

I think the Doctor was way overstating peoples weight gain.

Steriods are usually the short term kind and do not cause weight gain.

Despite having great anti-nausea drugs- you still do not want to eat.

The disgusting tastes you get are quite hard to overcome. If you are strictly on anti-hormone teatments- bizarre taste issues will not be a problem...

I lived on Panera low fat chicken noodle soup...there was little else I tolerated...

I also lived on deli sliced SUPER thin ham...bizarre- but it worked...

I am about 9 pounds heavier than my lowest weight during chemo....

and that weight has been perfectly stable for 7 months...

Two weeks ago, I did Bike Philly- 20 miles...so I am way active again!!!

Here is a great web site for breast cancer treatment algorhthyms

http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_breast/co ntents.asp

  Sorry , and my best wishes. I, too have BC (breast cancer). One of the first things that they told me was that the diet (high protein / low carbs.) that they have us on is perfect for recovery. In fact, they told me that they have to change their other patients to this diet to help their body have the strength to mend and heal. In this area - you are already ahead. Congrats.
  I had the Chemo. already. I am now about 1/2 way thru Rads (radiation). During Chemo., they gave me 2 strong meds. for nausea. They didn't help much, and I lost 30 lbs. - but, the nutrition drinks helped me when I couldn't stand to eat. I also bought Glucerna (nutritional drink - like Ensure, but  with no sugar). I didn't drink them, I made popsickles out of them. (I had mouth sores due to the Chemo., and the popsickles - anything cold - sooth and numb the mouth). It makes the expensive drinks go a LOT further, too. Saves, and is nice to have a 'treat' when you don't feel well. Besides helping the mouth feel better, you are getting good nutrition in case you have nausea. My Drs. are pleased with my labs. (lab tests).
   I know a lot about sites, and info., and such about this subject. Just answer this, and ask for my e-mail address, and I will write.

I too had breast cancer after WLS-and it did NOT affect my weight loss.  It did slow down a bit when I first could not exercise, but I made up for most of that with a reduced appetite.

I am now well into my first of five years on Tamoxifen-and side effects are different for everyone.  I met one woman who had NO side effects all 5 years!  I have not had any weight gain-in fact, my rate of weight loss is pretty good right now and I am almost at goal.  As I said, side effect vary from person to person.  My worst side effects are excessive bruising for no reason, fatigue, and hot flashes.  I can deal with these a lot better than weight gain.

I would not focus on your weight so much right now-focus on getting healthy and strong-the weight loss will come naturally!

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
Merry Christmas,
Lisa R.

Sorry 'bout your diagnosis.  I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - Stage 3 and went thru chemo, surgery and radiation.  I was diagnosed in April of 2007 (1 month after I turned 50).  I had RNY on 12/4/08 and have 65 lbs. off so far.  

I gained a few lbs. when I underwent chemo.  The new chemos are designed so that the patient looses as little weight as possible.   It wasn't a significan gain and came off easily.  Try to stay positive and do everything they ask of you.   They will want you to eat well during and after treatment - proteins/veggies, etc.  so you shouldn't have aniy long term weight gain issues.

The advice you received here from others is correct.  Stay focused and POSITIVE.  Don't let the cancer take over your life!   Go to work, meet with friends and do your regular routine.  

Prior to my RNY, I had a catscan, Petscan and other diagnostic tests just to be sure there was no lingering problems.  I finished radiation in 10/2008 and over 1 year later I am cancer free!  

Life is good - I'll be praying for you and if you need to talk or vent, fee free to contact me.

You go girl!!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and had a bilateral mastectory and chemotherapy. During my chemo treatments I lost weight, even while taking the anti-nausea drugs. My cancer was hormonal, though, and after chemo I was put on tamoxifen, which made me gain the weight right back.

I only had weight loss surgery (lap-band) one month ago, because I had to wait two years from the end of the cancer treatment to have the surgery. I am still on tamoxifen, and have lost 15 pounds this first month, so I think it all depends on your own system. My oncologist said that I will probably lose weight at a slower-than-normal rate while on tamoxifen, but that's OK with me, as long as I lose!

Hope everything works out for you!

 I just finished breast cancer treatment--chemo and radiation in August.  Before the breast cancer diagnosis, I had been accepted into Kaiser options program for RNY.  Now I have the choice of RNY, sleeve or lapband.  

I was leaning towards lapband but do have sweet tooth so maybe RNY.  How did you decide?  My cancer is triple negative and not hormonal so recurrence rate is higher.  I too would like to lose weight and keep it off.

Hi, i had WLS over 2 years ago. i had a bi-lateral masectomy almost 3months ago, I have not gained ANY weight. Lost down to 88lbs, back up to almost 100 now.