How much weight did you gain in hospital ?

[Susan BAV]

Hi Debbie -

I don't know how much weight I gained from the surgery because the hospital scale was metric and frankly, I didn't care. But my kidneys didn't work really well shortly after the surgery and I was so bloated with fluid that only a little tiny nose was sticking out from my face. I think that is probably why my doctors told me to consume only a quart of fluid a day--and that order was for at least a few weeks post-op. It took the entire quart just to choke down all the pills I had to take over the first few weeks. But that extra fluid retention quickly dropped off for me.

Ice cream? Funny you mention that because I just had some! I'm with you, everything tasted awful for quite a long time after the surgery. Why don't you send someone out for Baskin Robbins... Pralines n' Cream is really good...

Anyway, be sure and check with your doctor about the weight and take care.

P.S. There is a new member here from Temecula with a surgery scheduled for mid-February.

 

[wes]

I lost about 5kg after surgery (I forget how many pounds that is). Actually, I've totally forgotten how to use the "American" system for weights and measures.

I also think it's a good idea to weigh yourself daily. Sudden weight gain can be an early indicator of CHF, so I bought a scale and weigh myself (and take my blood pressure every morning).

When I stayed in the hospital after surgery, I had to weigh myself every morning before breakfast. In addition, I was weighed while still in ICU! Did anyone else get weighed in ICU? I could've killed the nurses, though, because they hooked me up to some kind of machine that physically lifted me off my bed and suspended me in mid-air! It looked like some kind of contraption for weighing fish or something and you can imagine the pain it caused on my sternum.

 

[Praline]

To remove adhesive, try Avon Skin so Soft. it will remove paint off your hands too.

 

[pamela]

I lost about 5kg after surgery (I forget how many pounds that is). Actually, I've totally forgotten how to use the "American" system for weights and measures.

I also think it's a good idea to weigh yourself daily. Sudden weight gain can be an early indicator of CHF, so I bought a scale and weigh myself (and take my blood pressure every morning).

When I stayed in the hospital after surgery, I had to weigh myself every morning before breakfast. In addition, I was weighed while still in ICU! Did anyone else get weighed in ICU? I could've killed the nurses, though, because they hooked me up to some kind of machine that physically lifted me off my bed and suspended me in mid-air! It looked like some kind of contraption for weighing fish or something and you can imagine the pain it caused on my sternum.

Oh man Wes. That was brutal! As was the chest xray. I think I had moments of conciousness when they moved me from recovery to the CCU since I have some really strange memories/dreams about these procedures. My husband said I was asleep for a long time though, once he was allowed in to see me and that's likely because they probably gave me another small shot of the knockout cocktail.

Remember to tell your surgeon in that first post-op visit if you think you had periods of lucidity when you were supposed to be deep in it, everyone. You shouldn't remember very much at all before they take your breathing tube out and hopefully, not too much afterward, until you're sitting up and ready to drink something. The reason this is important is because there may be connections to that sort of trauma and depression. If we can find ways to help lessen depression for post-cardiac surgery patients, it's vital to keep your cardiac care team informed.

 

[robert62]

try finger nail polish remover. that is what worked best for me. bob!

 

[Debbie]

weight

weight

' Hey everyone, just thought I'd tell you I lost 2 lbs. yesterday and today, yea, my ankles are not as swollen. That' my exciting news for today Debbie

 

[DebbyA]

I gained 20 lbs water from surgery. I couldn't get my shoes on to go home. Lasix has taken care of all that, and I'm slightly below my admission weight. I get hungry at mealtimes, but also seem to fill up quickly.

 

[South Sound Sailor]

Help please!!!

Help please!!!

Just read through all the posts in this thread. 2 weeks ago I had AVR surgery, went in at 145 pounds, came out at 145 pounds (4 day stay in hospital). This past week I hit a bump and was readmitted to drain out pericardial fluid (all blood, about 600+ ccs was drained... maybe 1 pound in weight???). I was given 6 units of frozen plasma and unknown units (maybe 4) of saline.

I complained throughout the 3 days I was in the hospital this past week that my abdomen was bloating up. I received a couple of lasix injections. I peed but I could tell I was retaining more than I was losing. Bottom line: I entered the hospital this week at approx 145 pounds and came out 3 days later at 160. I was not given a script for Lasix.

I've called the cardio's office and the doc on call (it's President's Day) said call back tomorrow (for a Lasix RX) or go to e/r if I have SOB (which I'm not having). This past week, they made me drink a lot of water on the 2nd day but by day 3 I refused to drink anything due to my bloated abdomen. Now my skinny legs look downright fat and I've still got some minimal abdominal bloating. I'm hoping once I get on Lasix I can start shedding this water weight. I'm watching salt/sodium intake and keeping fluid intakes to a minimum. I've got a great appetite... seems like I want to eat constantly.

My questions: for those of you who experienced weight gain in the hospital, was it mostly the Lasix/diuretic that helped shed fluid or did activity also help? If you had fluid build-up in your legs, did it help to keep legs elevated during the day? How long did it take for you to lose the leg fluid weight (it's really hindering my ability to walk)?

Thanks for reading and I welcome any suggestions/advice (and I'll restate I've made contact with my cardio's office and will c/b first thing tomorrow morning to get something going).

Steve C.

 

[Nancy]

Support stocking can help. And quite frankly, you might even want to try compression shirts like athletes wear, if you experience fluid in your thoracic area. If you don't shed the fluid, you really need to be on Lasix. When your skin expands too far, tiny tears can happen, and this is just an invitation for cellulitis (a nasty skin infection).

Joe always gained between 15-20 pounds in the hospital and it was all from the saline drip that everyone gets, plus the fact that (shockingly) the hospital either could not or would not prepare low sodium meals for him, something I battled with many people over, in several hospitals. It was a frightful struggle for him to shed the fluid because his kidneys were so compromised. If the fluid gets trapped in your tissues, it takes a long time to leave.

He had cellulitis more times than I want to remember.

Watch your sodium like a hawk, wear support stockings. No one will know, you can wear sox over them.

And get some Lasix from the doc.

You are prone to ascites, apparently, so you really want to stay on top of things with the doc. They are not always as responsive as we would like them to be regarding fluid retention.

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi Steve -

I had a (different kind of) surgery a year ago and was only in the hospital for overnight; but when they took the IV and the catheter out, my legs were extremely pudgy and swollen from fluid retention. They told me to walk, walk, walk. I did and the fluid retention resolved quickly for me. I hope it resolves quickly for you also and that you are feeling much better very soon, Take care.

 

[Debbie]

water

water

Hey steve, well I'm almost 4 weeks post-op and still can't seem to get rid of this extra 8 lbs. I asked the cardio for some durcitics and he said the extra weight will come off without them. The extra weight is now around my abdomen and not so much in my legs, I keep thinking if i keep walking it will come off but I still feel bloated. I guess no good answers? Debbie

 

[lcwhitney]

The weight gain is just temoprary . prob just med change related. It should all be gone in another week. Four weeks after my first surgery I had lost 30 lbs. from my pre surgery weight. after gaining 50 in my initial post op period.
GOOD LUCK.
Try using alcohol and cotton balls to get the adhesive off. I had the same problem.
Lettitia

 

[tobagotwo]

I lost weight in the hospital. Food didn't taste right. The real question is: How much weight did you gain after the hospital...

Best wishes,

 

[TinaK]

I lost five pounds in the hospital. I think it was from not having soda, wine and my regular junk food. I actually ate healthy for once. Your right, lets see how I do at home with temptations. Iam keeping a food journal so that I can track my progress. If I can keep off these five and lose another 5, I will be just right!.
Tina