Losing weight on a low residue diet

[Lairyfights]

Hoping someone can help!

Currently I'm half way through a particularly strong dose of steroids, I was on IV steroids in hospital for 3 weeks and now on oral steroids, being reduced for another 6. This is the third time I've been on a long course of high dose steroids in a year. I have moon face (swollen face) and feel generally bloated, uncomfortable, fat and at the moment can't even look in the mirror without bursting into tears!

I also have Crohns (why I'm on steroids, plus other meds) and have a permanent stoma. I'm missing 8 ft of my intestines so also have to eat a low residue diet - this means no vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, anything raw or high in fibre is out, whole meal breads/pasta/rice etc. I am also allergic to shellfish.

And I want to lose weight, desperately! I'm 5ft2 and just over 10 stone, a size 12. This time last year I was a size 6-8! I know it's because of the steroids and the way my illness works, but does anyone have any ideas of how I can lose weight?

I'm looking for recipes, any ideas or hints or tips. I'm getting so, so depressed about it and no one will listen to my pleas of 'I want to lose weight'. I want to love my body again.

Exercise wise I can't really do any cardio as I'm not well enough, just walking around and getting through the day is a struggle at the moment! I am starting to lift light weights to try and town my arms.

Sorry it's so long!

are you allowed things like vegetable soup - all zuzzed so no "bits"

high protein?
smoked salmon and scarambled eggs
baked beans with good ham and a smattering of cheese
jacket potato with tuna

what are you eating at the moment and we can think of ways to 'tweak' it ...

Hiya Lairy. High dose steroids come with such a nasty raft of side effects ss you know. I really feel for you. Sounds like you have a pretty complex medical history. Have you spoken to your stoma nurse for advice? They should be able to refer you to a specialist dietician or even ring the ward you were on for your iv if you feel able. I imagine it was a specialist gastro ward and their ward dietician should be able to spare 15 mins to give you some infomal but well informed advice over the phone and link you in to people who can advise you in the community. I dont want to sound flippantly and I know its about what is right for you but I would love to be a size 12. Sounds like your body has been through an awful lot. Be kind to yourself.

Hi Lairy, hope you don't mind but I am watching this as I am also on a low residue diet due to severe IBS and hypothyroid and the weight is increasing. I struggled with my weight before going on low residue but could maintain if not lose. now its just going on so I don't know if my thyroid meds are effected by the diet
I am cal counting as most of the other diets rely on a lot of veg and fruit (SW, WW) or high fibre (Low GI, SW) but its not getting me anywhere. I was thinking of trying low carb but I'm reluctant to cut even more out of an already limited diet.
Is there another type of steroid you can try to see if the side effects are less?
hope you feel better soon.