This is due to the fluid retention that happens in the follow-up period. Weight gain after a surgical operation can be handled by following a few measures. Mary Sabat, RDN, LD, CPT, says, “It is not unusual to gain weight after surgery, as the body needs time and energy to recover from the surgery.” Weight gain is commonly observed post-pregnancy, especially after undergoing a C-section. To put things in perspective, here is a staggering stat for you. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) suggests that weight gain post-pregnancy has sharply risen by 70% over the last few years (1). Even a small procedure like a tonsillectomyi Surgical removal of both tonsils from the throat to treat obstructive sleep apnea, recurring tonsillitis, and throat infections. can make you put on weight. In this article, we have listed the six major reasons for postoperative weight gain and some dietary measures you can follow to shed those extra pounds you gained. Take a look!
What Causes Weight Gain After Surgery?
Do not panic if your weight increases after surgery. You just need to figure out the exact reason and work on it. Here are some of the potential reasons for weight gain you should know about:
1. Water Retention
Water retention is medically known as postoperative edema. It is one of the major causes of weight gain in the postoperative period. (2). Edema is the fluid accumulation between the tissues caused by the redistribution of plasma proteins. Post-surgical tissue injury results in massive shifts of fluids in between body compartments, leading to the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space, i.e., the space between the organs in your body (3). This fluid retention can be localized in the extremities, or it can be generalized, giving you an overall plumper appearance.
2. Stress
Both physical and psychological stress can trigger hormonal imbalance. This, in turn, can cause hormonal weight gain. Stress for prolonged periods burdens the adrenal glands and causes them to secrete more of the cortisol hormonei Also called the stress hormone, it controls your mood, sleep cycle, blood sugar and the body’s use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. (4). A study conducted on people who underwent cardiac surgery found that surgery-related stress increases both cortisol and antidiuretic hormonei A hormone that assists in blood vessel constriction and regulates both blood pressure and urine production. (ADH) secretion (5). Increased ADH levels may disturb the kidney functioning and cause water retention.
3. Trauma
Surgical trauma often leads to metabolic, immunological, and endocrine changes (6). Trauma is a bodily response to distressing or disturbing events. Post-surgery trauma often disturbs the body’s equilibrium and creates a hormonal imbalance. This leads to the malfunctioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisi A neuroendocrine system that manages the body’s response to stress and affects functions like digestion, and energy storage. , which further stresses the body (7). A long-term observational study found that women with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) tend to gain more weight and are at a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese (8).
4. Medication
Doctors often prescribe medication for post-surgery recovery. Most of these drugs are supplements to help regain your strength and promote faster healing. They may also prescribe certain medicines that affect your metabolic system and lead to weight gain (9).
5. Rest
Post-surgery recovery demands ample rest. Low activity and complete rest can slow down the body’s basal metabolic rate (BMR), which may result in weight gain. Energy expenditure is directly related to your BMR and activity level. Low physical activity after a surgical procedure can lower the BMR and calorie expenditure, which leads to weight gain (10). During the surgical healing process, doctors always suggest starting with slow physical activity to revamp your body’s metabolic system.
6. Comfort Food
Who doesn’t want to indulge in comfort food? Besides, your loved ones may want to pamper you with all your favorite foods after your surgery. However, these comfort foods may make you gain weight. Post-surgery blues often increase overindulgence in comfort foods, particularly high-sugar and high-fat foods. This, coupled with your already slow metabolism, can make you feel bloated. Mary adds, “It is also possible for the body to bloat after surgery due to swelling and fluid retention.” Now that you have zeroed in on the cause of your post-surgery weight gain, let’s check out some precautions that you can take to minimize it.
Precautions To Take To Minimize Post-Surgery Weight Gain
We know that we tend to gain weight after surgery (especially in the recovery period). While gaining 5 to 6 pounds is normal, anything beyond that could lead to long-term issues. The following precautions can prevent this from happening:
Start to move around a bit. You don’t need to rush to the gym immediately after your surgery. Just keep yourself active by moving around as it helps revamp your metabolic system. Practice some stretching exercises for better blood circulation. You can rotate your ankles or feet in clockwise and anticlockwise directions to prevent edema in the lower extremities. You can pamper yourself with your favorite food once a week, but do not overindulge in it. Include herbs like horsetail, parsley, cumin, and hibiscus in your food. They are natural diuretics that can help reduce water retention (11), (12), (13).
In addition to these precautions, you can also make certain dietary changes that can help prevent weight gain due to surgery.
Dietary Changes To Lose Weight After Surgery
1. Focus On Lean Protein
Protein is essential for surgical therapy as it plays a key role in the recovery process. It helps repair and heal tissue damage, boosts immunity, and maintains a good metabolic rate (14). Always focus on including good-quality protein in each meal to aid in the surgical care and healing process and prevent surgical weight gain. To avoid gaining weight, consume lean protein with low-fat content. Include skinless white meat, lean cuts of beef or pork, eggs, fish, plant proteins like pulses, beans, legumes, and low-fat dairy products in your diet. Try healthy cooking methods like steaming and add protein to your salads. Prateek Dasgupta, a blogger, shares his weight loss journey after two major surgeries left him unable to follow conventional weight loss advice. Despite being on extended bed rest for three and five months during each recovery, he managed to lose 40 pounds the first time and 65 pounds the second time. The blogger emphasizes the importance of adopting a science-based nutritional approach, including getting adequate protein and fiber, and making better food choices. He writes, “The bulk of my protein intake consisted of fish, dairy products, and eggs. I added lentils, peas, legumes, and occasionally poultry and red meat to meet my daily protein targets (i).”
2. Eat More Vegetables And Fruits
Vegetables and fruits are loaded with water and fiber that can help prevent excessive weight gain. Women often complain of developing belly fat after undergoing C-section. This was proven by a study conducted on mice (15). Hence, consuming more soluble fiber can help in this regard. Moreover, vegetables and fruits are natural diuretics that can help drain out excess water from the body. Include cucumber, watermelon, lemon, asparagus, dandelion leaves, and nettle leaves in your diet. Spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, pepper, mushrooms, aubergines, and other green leafy vegetables are also great choices. However, we suggest you speak to your doctor/nutritionist before making these changes to your diet. Make sure to inform them about any medication you are taking.
3. Keep Yourself Hydrated
A study conducted on girls who were overweight found that drinking plenty of water improves your metabolic rate and digestion (16). Adequate water intake prevents excess fluid retention by sending a signal to the kidneys to stop conserving water. But if you have any serious kidney issues, please consult your doctor before increasing your water intake.
4. Eat Mindfully
Practicing mindful eating is an effective way to support your weight loss journey after surgery. This entails being aware of your hunger cues and paying attention to what you eat. Take your time with each meal — savor the flavors, chew your food well, and really enjoy the experience. Put your digital screens, work, chores, and any distractions away and engage all your senses with your food. You can better recognize when you are full by listening to your body, which helps prevent overeating. This approach not only makes meals more satisfying but also encourages healthier choices. It allows you to build a better relationship with food. Does postoperative swelling cause weight gain? Postoperative swelling is caused by water retention, which can lead to weight gain in the recovery phase. Eating balanced meals and a bit of exercise can help you overcome post-surgery weight gain. Does general anesthesia make you gain weight? Anesthesia usually does not make you gain weight. But intravenous (IV) fluids, when taken for a long period, can lead to weight gain after a surgery.Mary adds, “Anesthesia can increase appetite in some people, making them feel hungrier than usual, while other people may experience a decrease in appetite.” How much water do you retain after surgery? Water retention depends on the type of surgery you undergo. Minor surgery may only lead to minimal fluid retention, but a major surgical intervention such as a kidney transplant or a heart surgery can lead to more water retention. Is fluid retention normal after surgery? Yes, fluid retention is normal after surgery. Do not worry about it. Take proper rest to overcome the situation. Can surgery affect your metabolism? Yes, fluid retention is normal in the surgical recovery period. Do not worry about it. Take proper rest to overcome the situation. Does walking reduce swelling after surgery? Yes, walking after surgery lowers the risk of complications, increases circulation, alleviates swelling, and promotes faster healing. How long does weight gain last after surgery? You may start losing weight after a month of the surgery as the fluid retention subsides. You may notice weight loss during the initial 3 months of healing. However, it also depends on the type of surgery and other factors (medications, lifestyle, etc.) Embark on a successful post-surgery recovery by avoiding weight gain with this informative video. Click on it to learn practical tips, nutrition guidelines, and exercise recommendations to support your healing journey and maintain a healthy body.
