Is It Possible To Gain Weight In The Week Following A Toronto Tummy Tuck?

However, if you choose to weigh yourself immediately following a tummy tuck surgery, you may be puzzled by a sudden gain in weight.

So, is it possible to actually gain weight in the week following a Toronto tummy tuck surgery? Is it normal?

Well, first off, you should not be concerned with the scale! As mentioned, a tummy tuck is not intended for weight loss and so, the scale is irrelevant.

Immediately following surgery, it is absolutely possible to see a gain in weight and it is completely normal due to several reasons. The first cause for this sudden increase in pounds is swelling, a common side effect of surgery. Your body has technically undergone a controlled trauma and will naturally respond with swelling and inflammation. Over time as you recover and your body heals, the swelling will subside and you will notice a gradual decrease in your weight. To help speed up this process, you should keep hydrated with fresh water, frequently urinate, reduce your salt intake, walk to increase circulation and wear your compression garment as instructed.

The weight gain following surgery can also be partly explained by fluid shifts or “third-spaced” fluids. This refers to the imbalance of fluids within your cells, your blood vessels and your interstitial or “third-space”. To clarify, the interstitial is a non-functional space between all your cells. Right after your surgery, your body may experience “third-spacing”, where too much fluid is moving from the blood vessels and cells into the interstitial. Given adequate time, this will naturally correct itself.

The third reason for this observed weight gain after a Toronto tummy tuck surgery is reduced bowel motility due to the combination of pain medications and lack of movement. If you are not regularly passing or are experiencing constipation, it is possible that you will see a slight increase in weight. Naturally, once your body returns to normal function, this will not be a problem.

Finally, as you are recovering from your tummy tuck surgery, you are lounging around and eating. Without the permission to work out, it is possible to pack on a little bit of weight from all the rest and relaxation that you are doing. The best advice here is to eat a healthy, balanced diet to be careful not to gain too much weight, post-operatively.

In general, as your body recovers, you will notice that your weight is close to the ideal amount for you and your body type. If you have any particular concerns about your Toronto tummy tuck surgery, please feel free to reach out to Edelstein Cosmetic and speak with our medical staff. They can provide you with the expertise you need.