Weight gain post tummy tuck

[farmgirl04 231]

This is to those of you how have done this already. I'll give hard numbers so it makes sense I hope. My surgery was two weeks ago tomorrow. The morning I went in I weighed 143. I don't know how much he took (I'd guess 6 pounds, I forgot to ask). Today I weight 144! I know I'm getting NO exercise, obviously, but I'm also being very careful about what I eat. I'm eating less than pre surgery to try to balance the lack of calorie use. I know once I can start even walking things will get back on track, but is this normal? Is this Fluid? I have one drain still in, but it has finally stopped much output so it will be removed Tuesday. FYI, I feel like the weight is going to my thighs. Is this some weird head game I'm playing on myself, is this normal, did you guys go through this as well? I'm torn between eating to recover and not eating to take the weight off! Help!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I had over 12 pounds of skin removed yet the scale crept up immediately after surgery.

It wasn't weight gain though, it was serious Fluid retention. When they do a Tummy Tuck, they cut the lymphatic channels between your upper and lower torso/legs. This can cause some pretty serious Fluid retention. What you're experiencing isn't uncommon at all.

Give it a couple more weeks. In the meantime, stay away from salt and if you see the scale still creeping up, see if maybe your doctor will give you something for the Water weight.

Btw, if you see your legs increasing in size dramatically and have leg pain? Insist you're checked for blood clots. I ended up with life threatening blood clots in both legs which landed me in the ICU for 8 days. It was pure hell.

Best wishes and hang in there.

[farmgirl04 231]

Thanks miz73, the swelling in my legs isn't so much swelling as not as flabby up high as I remembered! On a lighter note, I asked my daughter who is a ob/gyn resident who, with kindness, had nothing sweet to say to me about getting on the scale after surgery. She said basically just what you said. Fluid retention, and strict orders to stay off the scale for a few weeks I guess I had dreams of seeing 135 again!

[gowalking 10,790]

I didn't have cosmetic surgery but I had bi-lateral hip replacement surgery on October 8th. I gained about 12-15 lbs. before it started coming off again....which it has. I was told the same thing....fluid retention. Plus I could see how swollen my hips were...and still are to tell you the truth. I also watched my sodium...I didn't want the swelling worse. So...it took about two months for the Water weight to go away. You'll get to 135...just give it some time.

[kauai bound 1]

Nervous about this. TT on Friday!!

[farmgirl04 231]

If it means anything to you at all I would do it again tomorrow! Really, the hardest part of it all for me has been learning to be patient when things need to be done that I can't do yet! My family is teaching me that it is okay to do something's on their schedule, not mine! Really! Good luck! My tidbit of info is from my doc, get some new white tee shirts to wear under the binder, it makes it much more comfortable. Ask me any questions-I'd be happy to answer them since it is still so new for me!