Question:
Post-op tummy tuck weight gain

I had my arms liposuctioned and tummy tuck on Wednesday 8/7/02. I weighed in at 140. I stepped on the scale today and weigh 145. I KNOW I haven't been eating enough to gain weight and I can see there's a water weight gain by the looks of the swelling in my arms, hands and feet - plus from the drainage tubes. For those of you who've had these procedures, how long did it take to lose this water weight gain?? Also, did you have problems with constipation? If so, how did you solve it? I haven't been able to go since Wednesday morning. Thanks in advance!!    — Patty H. (posted on August 12, 2002)

August 12, 2002
Hello, I had tummy tuck, hernia repair and breast reconstruction (my new boobs!) on July 30th. I went in weighing 144 and came out weighing I think 154. Anyway, I lost the weight since then. I am now 143 pounds. I was really mad because I didn't eat anything in the hospital. I thought I would have lost weight in there. Well it is off now and that is what is important. Good Luck.
   — Dawn H.

August 12, 2002
You are either just retaining water weight or you are still swollen from surgery. After all they did just reroute your tummy muscles and arms. I bet you anything the weight will go down in a few weeks when the swelling goes down. Good luck on the end of your wls journey.
   — Skyedancer4u1

August 12, 2002
Having my tummy tuck at such a high weight they took a really nice chunk of it during the surgery. The scale though didn't really show it for weeks thanks to water retention and swelling. I had to take a diuretic for the retention. As for the constipation, it was really horrible for me. I hadn't gone in a week and was used to going at least twice a day. Anyhow, Milk of Magnesia (the large dose) got me going. After that while I was still on the pain meds (they tend to constipate) I took fiber tablets (like fibercon) and they worked really great.
   — Shelly S.

August 12, 2002
Thanks for all the good information!! I had my almost 1 week follow-up yesterday and mentioned my 5 pound weiht gain to the doctor. He told me he could still see swelling in one of my arms and right above my stomach next to my new belly button. The tummy tuck looks great though!! I was shocked that after only 5 days I have a thin (VERY thin) red line across my stomach from hip to hip. I was expecting MUCH worse. It just looks like someone scratched me!! He said that if the draining goes down to 20 cc, he will remove at least one of the drainage tubes next Monday the 19th. However, removing both would be so much better so my clothes would look normal on me!!
   — Patty H.