What is a typical body weight pattern following surgery?
A. Immediately post-operatively, most patients gain some weight following the operation. This is the result of fluid retention that occurs almost routinely post-operatively. Following discharge, please weigh yourself every day at the same time of the day, and wearing the same kind of clothes. Should you gain more than 3 lbs. in one day or more than 5 to 6 lbs. in one week, please bring this to the attention of your surgeons. Typically, such weight gain will be treated with diuretics. Longer term, patients following cardiac surgical procedures tend to lose 10-15 lbs. in the immediate 4-8 weeks post-operatively. This is typical and stems from many reasons, including loss of appetite, nausea, and certain hormones being released in the post-operative period which burn your energy stores. Typically, after 4-8 weeks most patients return to baseline weight.
