Increased metabolism and energy expenditure: The body's natural healing process following surgery requires extra energy to repair tissues. This heightened metabolic demand can lead to increased calorie expenditure, potentially resulting in weight loss.
Studies show that the beneficial effects on weight loss are maintained for up to 20 years after gastric bypass surgery. That's an average of two decades of successful weight maintenance! Most patients who undergo bariatric surgery maintain 50-75% excess weight loss, with an average patient losing at least 100 pounds.
In many cases, the solution is to drink more water. Although it sounds counterintuitive, consuming water can actually reduce edema after surgery. Consuming fewer carbohydrates and reducing your salt intake can help too. It's also a good idea to exercise to lose post-surgery water weight.
Swelling, bloating, stomach discomfort and distention are all very common after breast and body surgery, and may even impact the scales – but it will subside significantly by the 12-week mark and continue to improve in the months following.
The body will retain fluid to help with the healing process, and this is a common cause of immediate postoperative weight gain. You are also likely to receive fluids intravenously during and after your surgery. This can contribute to fluid retention, as can your lymphatic system.
Healthy foods to help you gain weight
Instead, look for foods that are good sources of protein as well as higher in calories, such as dairy products, nuts, seeds and oily fish. Use whole milk and dairy products until your weight is within a healthy range, then switch to lower-fat choices.
Ensure your post-surgical diet is rich in fibre to aid bowel movements. Gentle stool softeners (such as Movicol sachets) can be utilised to help with post-surgery constipation and belly bloat. Cease stronger pain medication as soon as practical and replace with those that are gentler on the gut such as paracetamol.
After surgery (even following enhanced recovery programs for colorectal surgery), up to 55% of patients suffer from partial or total appetite loss 2 weeks post op. Also, significant weight loss as a consequence of appetite loss has been well documented and is especially common after upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Bariatric surgery can help people lose weight and live healthy, active lives. There are several types of bariatric surgery procedures, but all work by changing the stomach to limit the amount of food you can eat at one time, reducing your appetite, and reducing the ability of the body to digest the food consumed.
An analysis of 143 studies revealed that phentermine-topiramate and GLP-1 receptor agonists (like liraglutide and semaglutide) are among the most effective medications for reducing weight in people with obesity. The typical body weight reduction with these medications is 6% to 11%.
You will probably need to take 2 to 4 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. You will probably return to normal activities within 3 to 5 weeks. You may shower, if your doctor okays it.
Pre-injection (baseline) body weight was not significantly different between control or anesthetic groups, and all anesthetic groups demonstrated a loss of body weight during the first 2 days post-injection.
But many health care providers agree that a medical evaluation is called for if you lose more than 5% of your weight in 6 to 12 months, especially if you're an older adult. For example, a 5% weight loss in someone who is 160 pounds (72 kilograms) is 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms).
In fact, your calorie needs are now greater than usual because your body requires energy from nutritious foods to fuel the healing process. You will need to consume about 15-20 calories per pound (using your current body weight).
Vitamins C and E : These antioxidants help the body recover and manage cell damage. Vitamin C helps improve collagen strength, while vitamin E assists in stabilizing cells.
The trauma your body experiences during surgery can also lead to lymphatic leakage and subsequent swelling when the lymphatic channels are injured during the procedure. After a surgical procedure, you may experience bloating or swelling around the affected area as your body works to heal itself.
Surgical patients often ask, “how long does water retention last after surgery.” The answer depends on the individual and the surgery they are having. However, in general, post-surgical edema can last as long as six weeks. You can certainly expect some water retention for a couple of weeks after surgery.
Water weight is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be uncomfortable and recurring. Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning.