Weight gain after OHS??

[Dee]

Has anyone else experienced weight gain after OHS? I have never had to worry about my weight before and now 3 1/2 months post op, I weigh more than I ever have Even being in Cardia Rehab hasn't helped, I will graduate next Friday, you would think with all of that excersize that I would lose something! But NO! I want my old figure back!

 

[JimL]

I probably don't know what I'm talking about, but there are a lot of factors that could lead to weight gain after surgery. Of course it could be fluid, which is definitely something to keep under control. But I think it could be purely the result of the good feeling of being alive and feeling SO much better after surgery. People worry so much about what they eat, but those worries are nothing compared to OHS. If it's not fluid and if it's stable, I wouldn't worry about it.

For the WW people here, I have a question: I had 51 points during the chat session last Sunday night; is that good?

 

[JAMES W]

Weight Gain

Weight Gain

Dee,

I too, gain alot of extra weight post AVR. Mine was a result of medications ie: Amiodarone and steroids. I'm 13 months post-op and 35 lbs heavier. It never comes off as fast as it went on.... Good luck...

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Are you on a Beta Blocker? These can cause fluid retention / weight gain. This can be compensated for to some extent with diuretics.

 

[Harpoon]

Amiodarone causes weight gain???



I only put on weight after surgery because I had lost so much of it while in the hospital on a feeding tube.

That stupid "special case" thing again.... =)



I'm trying to work off some of it now, get closer to an ideal weight for someone that's 5'4"...


There probably is something to the idea of feeling so much better and just eating more because you can and perhaps enjoy it more than you did before surgery.

I found that there were a LOT of foods I just kinda craved after surgery and I do seem to enjoy eating more than I might have before surgery, at least appreciating it.

Although, I'm also cooking a lot more for myself than I did before surgery and so I'm trying new kinds of foods and preperations and things so that would play into it as well.


As long as it's not water weight and you're not adding several pounds in a short period of time I doubt it's much to worry about. It may just taper off as your recovery goes on...

 

[Dee]

The crazy thing is that I'm not on any heart medications, I'm only on Coumadin. Maybe you're right about the eating more.....maybe I don't even realize that I'm eating more than I was before OHS. I haven't gained a whole lot, about 10 lbs. or a little more. Just enough that makes the jeans tight and uncomfortable. I've always been very slender so even 10 lbs. has made a big difference. Hopefully it will slowly come back down as my recovery goes along.

Thanks for all of the input. And here's to slimmer days!!

 

[Granbonny]

I have gained 25 lbs. since my surgery.. The first gain was the first year. Just did not want to do anything to set me back on my recovery..Like over doing myself..walking, ect. Just wanted to heal..and heal I did ..Weather plays a big part, too. Do not want to walk in cold, windy weather. Have been well all winter. No colds, ect. Also, I'm sure my age (will be 64 in June )..makes it harder to lose weight. Enough excuses..come on Spring so I can walk again Bonnie

 

[hockeymama14]

Hi I am new to this forum but I love it already.I was starting to feel like I was the only one going through these things,but I now don't feel so alone anymore.I also gained about 25lbs after my heart surgery,I have never had a weight problem in my life,I am 5ft1 and have never weighed anymore than 110lbs.I am very concerned about this but every time I mention this to my doctor she just laughs and says,well you look great to me,but I sure don't feel great.Hopefully my weight will go back to normal as my medications decrease.Other than that I feel better than I have felt in years!It has now been 1 year since my open heart sugery.

 

[Creed3]

Hi!
I also gained weight after my surgery. Immediately after the surgery I dropped some weight because I had no appetite for about a week or two. Once my appetite started to come back I just went with it and ate whatever I was hungry for because I hadn't eaten for so long. When my appetite came back it really came back with a vengence. I also was not able to do any of my presurgery exercising. This all led to about a 15 lb weight gain. I just can't seem to get it off. I am now exercising again, but I lose a little and then I end up putting a little back. I seem to be fluctuating within 5 lbs. It is so frustrating. There seems to be somewhat of a pattern here.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Harpoon]

For those that might be concerned and those that are just plain curious....

http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm


Some charts can vary a bit and not all scales are accurate either so give yourself a little leeway.

The scale we used while I was in rehab was off by about 3-4 pounds. In one week I might have been weighed there, in my PCP's office, and in my cardiologist's office and each time I got different scores even though my actual weight probably didn't change more than a pound, if that...