So I have started considering having weight loss surgery. I haven't consulted with a doctor yet. I want to lose weight so I can be healthier to enjoy the time I have left (which I hope will be a while).
I am concerned about how this surgery might affect my cancer, or that perhaps insurance won't cover this.
Does anyone have any recommendations, input, or feedback about weight loss surgery after a multiple myeloma diagnosis and treatment? Is it okay to do? What are the possible problems?
Forums
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
Hi Kim,
I just ran across this old post.
I am currently in remission from multiple myeloma and am considering weight loss surgery for the 100+ pounds I have put on since diagnosis. All the medications have caused a huge weight gain for me.
Did you have the surgery?
I just ran across this old post.
I am currently in remission from multiple myeloma and am considering weight loss surgery for the 100+ pounds I have put on since diagnosis. All the medications have caused a huge weight gain for me.
Did you have the surgery?
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
I'll throw my 2 cents in here.
I did get weight loss surgery after remission and it did nothing for me. My miscalculation was that the dexamethasone has completely destroyed my metabolism, so while I figured going back to my old diet habits and just getting some liposuction would fix things, I wasted thousands of dollars.
My suggestion would be take your money and try Nutrisystem or try a comprehensive weight loss plan. They will set you up for success in the future better than a quick fix like liposuction.
I did get weight loss surgery after remission and it did nothing for me. My miscalculation was that the dexamethasone has completely destroyed my metabolism, so while I figured going back to my old diet habits and just getting some liposuction would fix things, I wasted thousands of dollars.
My suggestion would be take your money and try Nutrisystem or try a comprehensive weight loss plan. They will set you up for success in the future better than a quick fix like liposuction.
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Shwan - Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 30, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 25
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
I am continuing to consider weight loss surgery and would welcome any additional feedback or advice.
I have put on 110 pounds on an already chubby body with treatment. My husband is worried I wouldn’t be able to handle another stem cell transplant if I can’t get enough nutrition in.
I have put on 110 pounds on an already chubby body with treatment. My husband is worried I wouldn’t be able to handle another stem cell transplant if I can’t get enough nutrition in.
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
Hi Shwan,
Just to clarify: I believe weight loss (bariatric) surgery is a very different approach to weight loss than liposuction. Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, but rather a procedure that is aimed at restricting food intake by allowing only small portions to be eaten. Many people successfully lose weight as a result, but it is not for everybody.
Just to clarify: I believe weight loss (bariatric) surgery is a very different approach to weight loss than liposuction. Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, but rather a procedure that is aimed at restricting food intake by allowing only small portions to be eaten. Many people successfully lose weight as a result, but it is not for everybody.
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
I went ahead and had the bariatric surgery. I opted for the sleeve procedure. I have been doing really well at the weight loss and feel much better physically than I did. I had it done on October 12, 2017. I am down 60 pounds. But...... I am currently fighting a cold and just read my latest blood test results. My M spike jumped to .9 from .2. My IGA numbers doubled. Coincidence or due to me having the surgery. I don’t really know. My doctor hasn’t called me but maybe she hasn’t read the results yet. It’s been 3 years since my stem cell transplant and I had some high risk features so it could also just be that my remission time is over. I think I am in a healthier position to fight. So many questions unanswered now. 
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
Congratulations on the weight loss, Kim. That's great!
As you probably have heard many times, there's more uncertainty when measuring M-spikes in patients with IgA myeloma than, say, IgG myeloma. Also, it's possible that your IgA level may be affected by your cold or some other infection you may have. Perhaps your free light chain (kappa, lambda, and kappa-lambda ratio) will give you a better sense of whether you're starting to relapse.
Again, congratulations on the weight loss!
As you probably have heard many times, there's more uncertainty when measuring M-spikes in patients with IgA myeloma than, say, IgG myeloma. Also, it's possible that your IgA level may be affected by your cold or some other infection you may have. Perhaps your free light chain (kappa, lambda, and kappa-lambda ratio) will give you a better sense of whether you're starting to relapse.
Again, congratulations on the weight loss!
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JimNY
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
JimNY,
Yes, the good news is my kappa/lambda ratio is still in the normal range: 1.62; 6 months ago it was 1.11 and 3 months ago 1.43. So I do believe something is going on but I choose to not over worry the issue.
Yes, the good news is my kappa/lambda ratio is still in the normal range: 1.62; 6 months ago it was 1.11 and 3 months ago 1.43. So I do believe something is going on but I choose to not over worry the issue.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
Let me touch on the issue of weight loss surgery.
It is not a quick fix. You have to be mentally prepared and make a lifetime commitment to healthy eating habits. The surgery is just a tool to help you lose weight. I don’t have hunger issues anymore, I have to fight head hunger. I get full on small amounts of food, so I need to make sure it is a healthy choice.
Could I have lost the weight without surgery? Maybe, maybe not. I had been trying for years without success, and my main goal was to be healthier when it comes time to fight this cancer again.
It is not a quick fix. You have to be mentally prepared and make a lifetime commitment to healthy eating habits. The surgery is just a tool to help you lose weight. I don’t have hunger issues anymore, I have to fight head hunger. I get full on small amounts of food, so I need to make sure it is a healthy choice.
Could I have lost the weight without surgery? Maybe, maybe not. I had been trying for years without success, and my main goal was to be healthier when it comes time to fight this cancer again.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Weight loss surgery after myeloma diagnosis & treatment?
M spike now 1.2 g/dL (12 g/l). IgA is higher. Doctor has now scheduled a PET scan and biopsy. So, did the surgery trigger this, or was it just my time? Not sure we will ever know.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
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