I will be in the hospital for a month and need advice for not gaining any weight !

I have already been here for 2 weeks and I will be here for four more.  I am almost completely bed ridden and only really get up to use the  bathroom.  I even have to sit while taking a shower.  I have asked to speak to the hospital dietitian and she didn't help at all! 

This hospital has "room service" like food.  Where they give you a menu and you order off of it when you want your meals. 24 hours a day they wil deliver food to my bed side.

I would apreciate any tips or advice that would help me from gaining any weight as well as even losing some while I'm couped up in the hospital.

Thanks

what are you recovering from? it might be vital that you keep your intake up to promote recovery, maybe you should think about preventing a gain but definitely not losing while in the hospital. i don't feel right suggesting anything before knowing what you're in the hospital for. get better!

I'm in the hospital because I have a skin ulcer on my ankle that got infected and then infected my bone. 

 I'm facing amputation if there is no improvement when the 6 weeks of intensive IV therapy is over. I am only 23 years old and I have DVT (blood-clots) which cause the poor blood flow (circulation) which caused the ulcer. 

You do have a point about not trying to lose weight while I'm in here, but I really don't want to gain anymore weight.

Looking forward to your opinion, Thanks.

diet has a profound impact on blood clotting, omega 3s are beneficial for blood clotting so i would recommend eating as much salmon as possible, nuts, avocados, and flaxseeds if possible. ask for steamed veggies, and a lean protein with each meal, eat whole grains...dry toast with jam and a boiled egg for breakfast or oatmeal, have yogurt or cottage cheese with whole grain cereal as a snack, drink plenty of fluids, have at least 1-2 pieces of fruit a day and you should be a-ok. i hope you get better :) and i hope the suggestions help!!

This might sound redundant, but I can only really suggest that you discuss your concerns honestly and openly with your healthteam. I'm sorry that you're going through this, and I can only imagine how hard it must be. You have every right to want to control possible weight gain in the midst of your stay there, but given the severity of the resaon for your admission and stay, I would depend solely on the advice and action of the team working with you rather than an internet forum when it comes  to specific dietary issues. 

Personally, I don't love reading the "consult with your doctor" responses, but in many cases they're the only valid response. I think this is one of those cases.

I wish you nothing but the best outcomes, a short stay and a speedy recovery! Look forward to your updates!

oh also,

how did the dietitian not address your concerns? You have a right to address these reasons with her/him, and ask for more information or another professional to speak with. Do you have a social worker available in the hospital?

Thanks for your input you guys! 

In reference to the dietitian not been helpful.  She acted as if my questions where to hard for her and an inconvenience, like when I asked what where the calories,and fat contents of the foods on the menu she blew it off and when I said well maybe we can go over the menu together to plan healthy meals she just left me a diabetic list of foods and talked about "exchanges" even though I'm not diabetic and she left no key for what the exchanges where.

and lots of thanks for you well wishes

I am so sorry!!! Talk about frustrating....is there a way you can list what YOU want to eat and let them go with that (instead of having to pick a pre made meal)? Example: I would like oatmeal and milk for breakfast, yougurt and toast for lunch and salmon and sweetpotatoes w/steamed veggie for dinner. Fresh fruit for snacks and lots of cold water.

A hospital should (legally) have a patient advocate for everyone who is tended to by the hospital staff. Please ask for yours and talk with him/her about your concerns, be open and honest (not to mention polite) :-) good luck, wishes to get well soon are with you during this whole ordeal...

protein, high protein foods and vitamin e and c sources. omega 3 supplements are shown to NEGATIVELY affect those who undergo surgery, you can google something like 'foods avoid surgery' and it shows up x

you have some good concerns...however, this is a difficult time to try to lose weight or to keep extra weight off.

When you check your menus...always pick high protein foods (mostly meats, peanut butter,etc), low fat foods (low fat milk, etc.), stick with fruits for desserts, and low cal drinks.  Anything that looks like is floating in butter...send it back and ask for something else.  Use the calorie counter to pick the foods that is on the hospital menu.

IV fluids will put extra weight on you, but is necessary for you treatment.  However, if you hold body fluid very easily, make sure you speak to your doctor about diuretics (fluid pills).