Gained 4 pounds since surgery??

Okay, I know its probably water weight, but why 4 pounds?? Its freaking me out!! I had emergent laproscopic surgery last week for a blocked bile duct last Tuesday and I do have lots of little incisions with staples....so I know its holding water. I have been so careful, haven't hardly been eating much at all, although I have been eating lots of saltines with my pain meds, but not a ton more. Maybe I need to up my protein and drink more protein drinks?? I know our bodies hold onto water after surgery, but to see 4 pounds more freaked me out this morning!!! I have been drinking lots of latte's too, but SF and non fat, so hardly any calories...maybe like 100 calories total per day, and only in the milk, and that is being overly generous with the calories just to be safe...hmm. Any suggestions how to get rid of this excess weight??? Thanks!!! Deb

I bet its water weight too. It will just naturally drop back off I'm sure. Adding some extra water daily wouldn't hurt and might help to flush things out. Not to worry! How are you feeling these days??? Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Only thing I can suggest is to stay off the scale for a week or so. Surgery is trauma to the body and when the body gets traumatized it draws fluids (swelling) to the traumatized location. That plus IV fluids and all that jazz mean weight. It is temporary but still frustrating. Good luck, Kathy

Geez - thanks for the warning. I'm having a hysterectomy and bladdar lift next Wednesday and I was hoping to LOSE a few pounds; not gain. At least I'll try not to panic and I'll assume its water weight that will drop off again as I improve. I AM hoping to take the recovery time to get back on track and follow the basics while I've got the time to focus on just me. And I can't wait to exercise which has been totally out of the question for a number of months. I hope to feel good and have my strength back by Christmas. Julie

Deb! STOP!!!!! STOP!!! STOP!!!Girl you've just had a trauma to your body! Give her a BREAK!!! She needs rest/nutrition/liquids and PEACE OF MIND!!! Deeep breath! Deeeep breath! Relax!!! #1 it's NOT excess "weight". You did not gorge yourself silly & packed on 4 pounds of FAT. THAT's excess weight. NOT IV-induced liquids to protect your body from dehydration, etc. Okay here's the scoop, it's so easy to misplace our priorities when we've worked so hard at focusing on weight - whether GAINING (as in old days) or LOSING as in NEW DAYS! You've done amazingly well (read profile) and be PROUD of yourself. But yours is a body that needs a "thinking shift" - it's time to focus on providing all that it needs for HEALING - not "losing". Recognize that you are a post-op. You are just recovering - la*****t - there's swelling and painful inflamed all-kinds-of-stuff- going on. Remember, Deb - you've most likely experienced MONTHLY water gain & have lost it each time - why would this be different? Honey-pie - you're awesome! Give yourself the GIFT of peace - when your mind starts playing the "freaked-out-gained-weight-I-suck-gonna-gain-it-all-back-can't do-that-what-am-I-gonna-do?!!!" game - STOP it! Remind yourself that's not true and not gonna happen. Heal. Breathe. Heal. Judy

DEB, the body is such a mystery... were you in the hospital over night?? if you had an IV there is some fluid plus all the swelling will cause some weight gain. I have had many many surgeries not due to GBS. I dont weigh myself when I get home because you can gain a lot... like up to 10 pounds! when I go on vacation, i gain "vacation weight" this is anywhere from 5 to 10 pounds, all the sitting plus eating on different schedules PLUS eating foods that you dont really know what is in it. MY SOLUTION... Grab a large bottle of plain water and just sip on that all day. it wont happen right away but withen a few days you will be camping out in the bathroom because you have to pee all the time.. check out the scale during this time and you will see I am right and the weight will start to go down. I also do this after my period, it works for that too. BUT after the 15th, I won't have to worry about period weight gain... I am having a hyserectomy and hopefully wont gain any afterwards.. hope this helps Donna 277/150ish

Thanks guys I really appreciate it! I know, I know its jus****er and that your body holds onto water to protect itself after surgery. I don't have monthly water gain because I had a hysterectomy many years back, but I do think I have strep throat or something because its really hurting. I am also on antibiotics, and I know all of the above will not help with weight loss. Its okay, I know it will/can take up to 4-6 weeks to lose it, so I am not so worried. Love you guys, and thanks a lot for all the support!!! Deb

You'd be amazed at how many fluids are given DURING surgery, drink lots of water and your body will let go the extra fluid