Weight Gain

[knp76]

I have a little over a month until my surgery. I had lost the weight that the doctor required me to lose. Now in the last few days I have gained five pounds. I have to admit that I have indulged in too many carbs over the weekend ,but five pounds in three days? Is it possible that I am retaining fluid? I did have my period last week bu it has since ended. I'm so frustrated and desperately trying to get myself back on track. Any thoughts?

[Melissa888]

It's possible, and yes, you probably are retaining fluids. All good though, you are having the food funerals so many have prior to surgery. Good luck to you, healthy new life awaits you!

[jsa5018]

Yes, be careful! Avoid carbs and sodium at all cost prior to your surgery. Drink as much water as you can tolerate to flush everything out. You don't want to go in for your surgery to only find it can't be completed due to an oversized liver. It will get better! And, it is so worth it!

[knp76]

Thank you for the encouragement. I am working on being more strict with my diet this week. I am downing as much water as I can stand lol.

[Trastan]

I also find the week of and and after my period my weight goes up then the second week after it drops quite significantly. Everyone is different but this might be part of it. I also find that during those two weeks I crave carbs so bad and tend to indulge a bit. I am sure your weight will come off quickly in the next week. Just follow your pre-op diet and you will do great.

[RehabNurse]

Some of the carbs we eat are stored in our skeletal muscle and liver as glycogen.

Glycogen storage requires a great deal of water, approximately 3 grams of fluid per 1 gram of glycogen. This could add up to 5 to 10 pounds of water weight after a carb indulgence for an average person.

The moral of the story is to restrict your intake of carbs if you have a weigh-in scheduled soon.

[Christie13]

Oh yes. I remember those days well...I could put on 5 lbs after eating bad for a weekend. NO PROBLEM. Always harder to get them off. Just try to stop eating earlier in the evening. My pre op was one meal of lean meat and veggies, and the rest shakes. And the 3 days immediately post op was all liquid. Shakes, tea, milk, water, broth. Good luck. You got this!

[knp76]

So I have been working on being more strict with my diet. Protein, protein, protein and veggies and limited fruits. No bread, potatoes, pasta, rice etc. I have been pounding the water like crazy and I have lost the five pounds I gained. I have been peeing like a race horse (TMI, I know) so I think my body is flushing out the excess fluid. I feel much less anxious. Thanks for the support everyone.

[sraebaer]

I wouldn't worry, it's after surgery that counts!