Water weight

[Lauratx22]

Hi!

So it's been 3 weeks post operation and it seems that I still cant fit into my pants. I know I didn't gain weight during or after surgery because I eat healthy and hardly ate during the hospital stay. How long does the water weight stay? When did you lose yours?

Thanks

Laura

 

[JimL]

I gained and lost twenty pounds of water a couple times around surgery, but for me it was a matter of days. I doubt that a couple of weeks is anything to worry about; maybe it's something to ask the cardiologist about.

 

[Jkm7]

My first surgery I gained something like 12 pounds and four years later, I gained about 16 pounds during the surgery. I was put on limited fluids and lasix and was not permitted to leave the hospital until the water weight came off. My second surgery, I came home on day 5 post op. The beds in Cardiac floor at Mass General are scales and they can weigh the patient right in the bed.

Are you on a diuretic, Laura?
If not, you may want to call your doctor to ask if you should be.

 

[Greg a]

Watch ankles and extremities for swelling and ask about lasix and never be far from a washroom, water closet, loo ........................

 

[Boston Tiger]

I lost most of my water weight in the hospital, because that lasix was very effective on me. I wonder how much distance I covered in the hospital making all those the trips back and forth from the bathroom. The worst part of that was that I had to drink that nasty potassium supplement in order to keep my electrolytes in balance.

 

[Allisoninoz]

I weighed about 51kg when I went into hospital and was horrified to see I weighed about 58kg two days after the op. I was down to about 54kg when I came home, and it dropped down over the next week or so. I was on iron and on a laxative so was 'running' (HARDLY! more like limping) to the loo regularly. The more you move - walk, walk, walk - the sooner the weight will come off. Good luck.

 

[epstns]

Laura,

I see lasix mentioned as a remedy for water weight, but I don't see anywhere whether or not you have had it prescribed for you. This is something many of us needed to take for varying lengths of time after surgery, and I would advise you to discuss it with your cardio. If you are taking it, maybe a temporary adjustment in dosage is called for. If you are not using it, maybe they will prescribe it. Excess body fluids get in the way of too many things in healing to put up with it if you don't have to.

In my case, I needed to take lasix, in varying dosages, for over a month post-op.

 

[DanielB]

I actually lost 12 pounds after surgery while in the hospital. The doctor atributed it to losing the water weight as well. I was given Lasix after the surgery and am still taking it.

 

[Cooker]

I had to wear sweats for several weeks ... but don't worry, it comes off!

 

[scott.eitman]

Don't mess around. Call your Dr. At the very least you will sleep better at the worst, they will want to see you. Better safe than sorry.