Is it swelling/bloat or weight gain?

It's been fairly easy to maintain my weight before plastics.  I haven't gained a pound since plastics, but definitely inches!!!  Granted, I have backed off my girdle at 2.5 months out, but I still need it.  My Dr. thinks I should quit wearing it all together but I can't stand the feeling of the swelling.  I look 5 months pregnant!  So, I can't figure out if I'm gaining inches and just not pounds yet, OR is it swelling??  It does get worse with my menstrual cycle but still.  I feel like a mess today b/c I can't wear any of my new form fitting clothes and with my girdle, my pants are so tight :(  Oh and the back fat rolls have reappeared.  What is up with that?!?!

I haven't had surgery yet, but everything I read points to swelling - and it lasts from 6 months to even a year. I've noticed people complain about increased swelling when they become more active. Eventually the body adapts and heals. My plans post op includes a very low sodium diet to help reduce swelling.

Well, I know I've been bad with sodium and I realize that makes it worse, but to go from being so thin to definitely being able to tell I've gained inches really bothers me.  And I've done everything to correct it, hoping it would go away but nothing works :( 

I'm still getting swollen every afternoon and I had my surgery back in April. I also notice that I go up 3-4 pounds with the swelling, at least I sure hope it's the swelling. It's hard to know if you are gaining or not when your weight is flutuating from water gain. Sigh, when does this end?

Some people just swell longer than others and wearing the compression is usually the best remedy as well as limiting your sodium and upping your fluids.