I am 5 days post op and the swelling in my legs, ankles, and feet are about to drive me to tears! I can barely put my flipflops on and cant wear my wedding rings right now either!

I GAINED 14-ish pounds after surgery after being on a constant IV drip for 3 days. I need some relief FAST! I am walking the dogs 2-3 times a day for about 15-20 minutes and trying to get in all my Water too. I am miserable with this tight feeling in my skin.

does anyone have any tips on getting this Fluid to go away? I am tempted to go to my GP tomorrow and get them to give me a water pill. Looking down and seeing my fingers, legs and ankles like this is sooo depressing and scary!

I know it is still early for me but damn, this is really sucking!!!! Other than this fluid retention I am doing pretty darn good.

I cannot find ANY posts where people talked about the fluid retention and gaining this much weight from being on an IV. And of course, I am making myself believe that I was right and I am failing my sleeve already.

Poor thing! I didn't have this post op but I did have it after I delivered my twins. I had so much swelling in my calves that I actually got stretch marks because they had me on a darn IV for nearly three days. I think it's totally unnecessary and I hate that doctors do it because it's convenient for them. It's overinfusion and it's not good for us. I left the hospital after delivering my twins weighing MORE than I weighed going in. In fact, the pants I wore to delivery were too tight when I went to leave. It was horribly upsetting, so I understand your fear and frustration.

What worked for me? Exercise (lots and lots of walking), elevating my feet and taking a diuretic. I just used an OTC one for about four days until I was back to normal. If you're terribly concerned, call your PCP (not your surgeon) and see what they say.

Best of luck, I hope you feel better soon. It's horribly uncomfortable to have your skin feel close to bursting.

~Cheri

Your body hangs on to the Fluid because it has a lack of it coming in. I know it sounds funny....but the more fluids you take in....the quicker that fluid will leave your body.

Get up and move! Exercise will help flush it out too.

I gained 13 lbs during my stay in the hospital from the IV. I was too tired to get upset by it, I think it took me about 1 week and a half to drop it all.

I win! I gained 16 lbs Took about a week to clear out. I drank the recommended amount of fluids and walked a little every day. Not a super long way but I did walk around my block and walk around in the house. To get my fluids in I used a measuring cup as a pitcher and a medicine cup as my drinking glass. I sipped one ounce every 15 minutes while I was awake. I put lotion on too. My skin was so tight I felt like a sausage in a casing.

Sorry you are suffering with this too.

Lynda

thank you all sooo much for the comments/suggestions!!! A boiled sausage in casing is exactly how I am feeling!

I went to CVS and bought a diuretic this morning. I am now walking the dogs every 2 hours and sipping my bottled Water. I cannot stand the taste of our filtered water from the fridge now!

I do have one more question.... what weight do I start with for my journey ticker? My pre-surgery (213) or post-surgery (227)?

Thanks again! :wub:

My starting weight on my ticker is from when I started my pre-op diet. If you don't start there, I would start with the pre-op weight because the post-op gain is so temporary. It will be gone within a few more days.

Lynda