5 years post lap band.. new breast cancer diagnosis

[sp70 193]

Hi! I am almost 5 years out from my lap band. I lost 70 pounds during that time and over the course of the last 2 years I have gained about 20 back. the scale hasn't changed one direction or the other over the last year. I was doing ok with this as I workout 5 days a week and run quite a bit. (ran my first half marathon last November). I was diagnosed last month with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early. I've already had a lumpectomy and am currently recovering from a lymph node biopsy, which was clear. My oncologist has recommended 6 weeks radiation therapy and then 10 years of tamoxifen, a hormone blocker, in attempts to prevent the cancer from returning. My biggest fear is the tamoxifen. It has so many side effects that scare me to death. Two of them being being joint pain which could decrease my activity and the second weight gain. I like my body, other than having to get used to the newest scars. I am trying to get myself back on track nutritionally, I have reached out to my nutritionist at my surgery center, so far without success. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to get back on track. Reset my head and diet so to speak. The way I see it, I have 2 months to get the scale going in the right direction prior to starting this new med.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

[Healthy_life2 8,327]

10 minutes ago, sp70 said:

Hi! I am almost 5 years out from my lap band. I lost 70 pounds during that time and over the course of the last 2 years I have gained about 20 back. the scale hasn't changed one direction or the other over the last year. I was doing ok with this as I workout 5 days a week and run quite a bit. (ran my first half marathon last November). I was diagnosed last month with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early. I've already had a lumpectomy and am currently recovering from a lymph node biopsy, which was clear. My oncologist has recommended 6 weeks radiation therapy and then 10 years of tamoxifen, a hormone blocker, in attempts to prevent the cancer from returning. My biggest fear is the tamoxifen. It has so many side effects that scare me to death. Two of them being being joint pain which could decrease my activity and the second weight gain. I like my body, other than having to get used to the newest scars. I am trying to get myself back on track nutritionally, I have reached out to my nutritionist at my surgery center, so far without success. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to get back on track. Reset my head and diet so to speak. The way I see it, I have 2 months to get the scale going in the right direction prior to starting this new med.

Any suggestions or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

My heart goes out to you. Diagnosed last month and now radiation/tamoxifen. Healing from breast cancer comes first...right? That is a lot of stress.

Many health benefits with nutrition. This may be the time to focus on nutrition as part of your healing process and battle with cancer. Can your oncologist recommend a dietician/nutritionist?

[sp70 193]

Thanks! I was hoping to meet with the nutritionist that had seen me through my band. I see my oncologist next week and that's a good thought, I'll add it to my list of questions!

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

So sorry for this diagnosis (((hugs))). I hope you get some guidance. And come on here for moral support and if you just need to vent too 😻

[sp70 193]

Thank you so much Sosewsue61! Going to try calling the nutritionist again today, if no luck will talk with my oncologist next week. I have a long list of questions in regards to the risk vs benefit of tamoxifen. I watched my dad suffer through colon cancer which is a totally different beast, but quality of life is very important to me!

[Jodie_G 12]

Sending hugs and prayers out to you SP70 and Jenn1! I'm sure it's not easy physically or emotionally. I'm rootin' for you ladies to stay strong and am so happy to hear you caught it early! I'm 44 and just got my first mammo last year! :-)

[Frustr8 7,886]

Sending you both hopes and prayers for good health, take care of yourself, there's only you like you and the world still needs you here. 😝