Reasons for weight gain after surgery:
Introduction
Weight gain immediately after surgery is a common finding. According to studies, patients who have lost a significant amount of weight prior to surgery appear to be at especially high risk of post-surgical weight gain.
This can happen after the following types of surgeries:
Thyroidectomy
The thyroid is a gland that is located in the lower front portion of the neck.
It produces the thyroid hormone that regulates the body’s production of energy. Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland.
A thyroidectomy might be needed if you have:
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);
- an enlarged thyroid;
- noncancerous growths on the thyroid;
- thyroid cancer.
Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits just below the liver on the upper right side of the abdomen. A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder.
Doctors perform the procedure to provide permanent relief to an individual with gallstones (hardened deposits of bile that can form in your gallbladder) and other medical problems associated with the gallbladder.
Doctors can remove the gallbladder in one of two ways:
- the laparoscopic cholecystectomy – your surgeon inserts a very thin, flexible tube that contains a light and a tiny video camera into the belly. Then, he will insert special tools to remove the affected organ;
- open surgery – during this medical procedure, your surgeon will make a 5- to 7-inch incision on your belly to take out the gallbladder.
Hysterectomy
It is the most common non-obstetrical surgical procedure in the US. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure where the uterus is removed.
Types of hysterectomies:
- a radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the upper portion of the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries, and lymph nodes;
- a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the cervix, fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries;
- a total hysterectomy is the removal of the cervix and uterus;
- a supracervical hysterectomy is the removal of the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix behind.
READ MORE: Essential Oils For Enlarged Prostate
Open-Heart Surgery
It is any type of surgery where the chest is cut open, and surgery is performed on the valves, muscles, or arteries of the heart. The procedure most often done by open-heart surgery is coronary artery bypass surgery.
Heart surgery is used to treat many heart problems, therefore, it is performed to:
- replace a damaged heart with a healthy one;
- place medical devices;
- control abnormal heart rhythms;
- fix heart valves that don’t work well;
- treat heart failure and coronary heart disease.
Hernia Repair Surgery
A hernia is a general term that refers to a protrusion or bulge of an organ or body tissue through the structure which usually contains it.
The most frequent types of hernias are:
- a hiatal hernia- occurs inside the abdomen, along with the upper stomach/diaphragm;
- umbilical – occurs at the belly button;
- ventral – occurs in the general abdominal/ventral wall;
- incisional – occurs through an incision in the abdomen;
- femoral – occurs in the upper thigh/outer groin;
- inguinal – occurs in the inner groin.
Symptoms of a hernia include discomfort or pain and localized swelling in the groin area or somewhere on the surface of the abdomen.
Many hernias can be repaired using a laparoscopic procedure or ”closed,” particularly when they are smaller.
ALSO READ: Side Effects of Donating Plasma
Appendectomy
The appendix is a worm-shaped hollow pouch attached to the first part of the large intestine.
The precise purpose of the appendix is not known, but it is thought that it may help us recover from inflammation, diarrhea, and infections of the large and small intestines.
When your appendix gets inflamed, it is called appendicitis. Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix.
There are 2 types of surgery to remove the appendix:
- laparoscopic appendectomy – a long, thin tube is put into a small incision. Next, the appendix is removed through one of the incisions;
- open appendectomy – a cut is made in the lower right-hand side of the abdomen or belly. The appendix is taken out through the incision.
ALSO READ: Right Atrial Enlargement – Causes
Knee Arthroscopy
This procedure may relieve painful symptoms of many health problems which damage the cartilage surfaces and other soft tissues surrounding the joint. During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision and insert a tiny camera into the knee.
Whipple Procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy)
The Whipple procedure is the main surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer, which occurs within the head of the gland. It is a difficult and demanding operation and can have serious health risks. But, pancreaticoduodenectomy is often lifesaving, especially for people with cancer.
Endometrial Ablation Procedure
It is one type of treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding, which is due to a benign condition. During this procedure, your surgeon will remove the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.
ALSO READ: Facts About Syphilis
List Of 8 Unforeseen Reasons For Weight Gain After Surgery
@Getty Images
#1 Post Surgery Fluid Retention
Though water retention generally occurs in the feet, fluid could also accumulate in the interstitial spaces in other parts of the human body.
Fluid retention is actually a normal reaction to surgery due to the fact that the body releases ADH, a type of hormone that makes you hold onto fluid. Fluid retention typically lasts for about 5 days, then stops.
#2 Too Much Sitting
It is needless to mention that sedentary behavior can increase your chance of weight gain as well as other health problems, such as – hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, heart disease, and a higher risk of premature death.
ALSO READ: Yeast Infection vs Chlamydia: Symptoms
#3 Steroids
Steroids are anti-inflammatory medications. Most are man-made forms of cortisone, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands.
Weight gain was the most often reported adverse effect of steroid use, affecting approximately 70% of people that use the drugs, according to a 2015 study.
#4 Diet
Your eating habits can affect your weight more than you think, especially after a surgery.
#5 Depression
Depression is usually defined by loss of enjoyment and interest in usual activities, low mood, feelings of negativity and isolation, and low self-esteem. Depression can have a significant impact on behavior, particularly poor dietary choices and reduced physical activity.
Depressed people tend to gain weight faster than people who aren’t depressed, as per a 2009 study done at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
ALSO READ: Redness Around Nose, Mouth, Chin, Cheeks, Eyes – Causes
#6 Stress
The level of cortisol rises during high emotional stress. This can turn your overeating into a habit. This leads to increased levels of insulin (a hormone that is produced by specialized cells within the pancreas) and weight gain.
#7 Metabolic Slowdown
Too much cortisol can also slow your metabolism, causing more weight gain than you would usually experience.
#8 Pain Drugs After Surgery
Pain drugs after surgery include:
- pregabalin (Lyrica);
- gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin);
- anti-anxiety medication (midazolam);
- nonopioid pain relievers, such as – ketamine (Ketalar) and acetaminophen (Tylenol);
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ketorolac, celecoxib (Celebrex), naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB);
- local anesthetics, like – bupivacaine and lidocaine;
- opioids, such as – hydromorphone, fentanyl, morphine, oxymorphone, oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone), or tramadol.
What Can You Do To Prevent Weight Gain After Surgery?
- getting enough sleep – some studies suggest that chronic lack of sleep is linked with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus and being overweight;
- boosting your metabolism with exercise. However, always talk to your doctor before starting any kind of exercise after any type of surgery;
- drinking enough water;
- eating foods that are known to speed up the metabolism and are low in fat, like – chili peppers, lentils, apples, chickpeas, mangoes, almonds, pineapples, ginger, and oatmeal;
- eat smaller portions than you did before the surgery.
Featured image source – Shutterstock
ALSO READ: Interesting Facts About Surgeons
Sources http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/study/postgraduate/surgery.php https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/07/020712075415.htm