Post-op swelling?

[ReadyFourChange 20]

Hi everyone! I had my bypass on Tuesday, May 12th and everything went great. I was released Thursday, May 14 with no problems at all.

There were no mirrors at the hospital in which I could see my stomach but I knew it was quite swollen from touching it. I was also never weighed after surgery. When I got home and looked in the mirror I just couldn't believe the way I looked and I weighed 12 pounds more than before I started the liquid diet.

Is this normal? How long will this swelling be present? I'm very uncomfortable being so swollen all over. My legs and arms are even swollen.

Someone please respond with your experience. I'm not sure what to do.

[hellohealthy 32]

I was definitely swollen! I was so pumped full of fluids and gas that I looked a bit like a balloon! I walked the gas out (helped with the discomfort too) and avoided the scale until my post op appointment where I was down 14 lbs. I'm 25 days post op and my belly is still a bit swollen although much better than it was. Good luck!

[Djmohr 6,965]

Hi there! Congratulations on having your surgery.

Yes, it is absolutely normal. The reason you are heavier is because of all the fluids they put in your veins the last few days. You will lose that very fast and then some.

Your tummy is protruding from the gas they pumped into you to expand your stomach for the surgery itself.

The more you walk, the faster this all just disappears.

They should warn you about the weight gain post surgery and they don't. I remember being really angry about that because I worked so hard to lose 13lbs before surgery and gained it all back in 2 days in the hospital.

Just know that it is all fluids and it will go away quickly. Right now you need that because it gets hard to get all your liquids in.

I hope you have a safe and speedy recovery!

[VDB 800]

Same as the others. My excess swelling and fluids gone in three days after getting home.

[ReadyFourChange 20]

Thanks so much for responding. I just came back from walking and I'm hoping this goes away real fast!!