Surgery

r0ck3rgirl

I just started making real progress and getting used to my diet. I have back surgery in a few days and the recovery is actually a long one. Any ideas on how to at least keep from gaining weight during recovery. I've put on so much weight because it hurts to move.

cmriverside

Log everything you eat... I would say eat at maintenance while you are healing, your body will need the food to repair. Worry about losing when your medical teams clears you to do so.

mph323

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

I just started making real progress and getting used to my diet. I have back surgery in a few days and the recovery is actually a long one. Any ideas on how to at least keep from gaining weight during recovery. I've put on so much weight because it hurts to move.

I was pretty sedentary for about 4 months a couple of years ago after an injury. What I did was to calculate my maintenance calories and stick to that goal. Doing that, I didn't gain a pound. Activity isn't necessary to lose or maintain weight, as long as you limit your calories to your sedentary goals you should be fine.

The very best wishes for an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery

r0ck3rgirl

Thank you. I hope it goes well because I would love to be able to ride my bike again or even just walk my dogs longer than 5 minutes.

r0ck3rgirl

My husband is over 300lbs and he went to the right looks clinic after a lot of me nagging him about you know... not making me a widow because he won't see a doctor he finally went and that's what got me back on track. We bought a food scale and I got all the clothes off the stationary bike I was treating like a hamper and I finally see progress in my weight loss.

nutmegoreo

Avoid the scale for the first week after surgery, or at least know that your weight will very likely go up during that time frame. It's fluid retention and will reduce slowly, not true weight gain.

Definitely aim for maintenance calories during the recovery (and actually even now heading into surgery). Nutrition is such an important part of healing. Prioritize getting enough protein.

All the best.

barefootcassie

I'm having surgery on the 25th and I talked with my doctor about weightloss and healing. For me, he wants me to stick to my 1200 calorie goal but to up my protein intake for healing.

LivingtheLeanDream

All the best for your surgery and recovery. You wont gain if you eat at maintenance or at calorie deficit, log what you eat, that way you can keep a handle on what your weight does.

RAinWA

nutmegoreo wrote: »

Avoid the scale for the first week after surgery, or at least know that your weight will very likely go up during that time frame. It's fluid retention and will reduce slowly, not true weight gain.

Definitely aim for maintenance calories during the recovery (and actually even now heading into surgery). Nutrition is such an important part of healing. Prioritize getting enough protein.

All the best.

I had surgery last week and "gained" 12 pounds between when I left for the hospital and when I came home. I've been watching it slowly come down.

My surgeon told me to eat maintenance calories, plenty of protein and lots of fluids. My throat has been so sore most of my calories have been very soft, cold foods. Ice cream for breakfast!

Best of luck to you for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

pinuplove

cmriverside wrote: »

Log everything you eat... I would say eat at maintenance while you are healing, your body will need the food to repair. Worry about losing when your medical teams clears you to do so.

Everything up there! If you eat at maintenance you won't gain or lose, and your body will have the energy it needs to heal effectively. I hope the surgery is successful.

r0ck3rgirl

My main concern is I don't be able to move around and I don't want to gain weight during the six weeks before physical therapy. Also do I log physical therapy?

Maxxitt

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

My main concern is I don't be able to move around and I don't want to gain weight during the six weeks before physical therapy. Also do I log physical therapy?

I'd suggest not trying to log the PT as it's unlikely that the activity calories associated will amount to anything significant, especially in the first few weeks.

kshama2001

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

My main concern is I don't be able to move around and I don't want to gain weight during the six weeks before physical therapy. Also do I log physical therapy?

By definition, you won't gain fat if you eat at maintenance.

However, you may have some water retention going on - try to not let that derail you.

aokoye

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

My main concern is I don't be able to move around and I don't want to gain weight during the six weeks before physical therapy. Also do I log physical therapy?

I don't log physical therapy. My PT only started getting vigorous enough to be worth logging six plus months after starting after my most recent surgery.

r0ck3rgirl

My surgery is Monday. Should I just ask the orthopedic surgeon what my calorie intake should be while healing? I don't know if I want to let the app decide since it's n't health.

aokoye

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

My surgery is Monday. Should I just ask the orthopedic surgeon what my calorie intake should be while healing? I don't know if I want to let the app decide since it's n't health.

Talk to your surgeon about it. It makes significantly more sense to ask them than us or relying on the app.

nicsflyingcircus

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

My surgery is Monday. Should I just ask the orthopedic surgeon what my calorie intake should be while healing? I don't know if I want to let the app decide since it's n't health.

May I ask what kind of back surgery you are having? I work outpatient surgery and see multiple back surgeries daily. The first thing we do (after verifying identity and vital signs) is get those patients up and walking. As much as they can tolerate. And the education we provide them on discharge has them walking short distances frequently, working up to longer distances. No lifting, but lots of walking. The worst thing our patients can do after their back surgeries is sit around inactive. Leads to poorer outcomes.

r0ck3rgirl

A double laminectomy and discectomy I'm not sure I spelled either correctly

r0ck3rgirl

It's inpatient surgery but they did say I would be able to get up after the first day and walk some. I'll be having surgery on my cervical spine in a few months to for fusion

nicsflyingcircus

r0ck3rgirl wrote: »

It's inpatient surgery but they did say I would be able to get up after the first day and walk some. I'll be having surgery on my cervical spine in a few months to for fusion

Okay. The surgeries I see are lumbar laminectomies (1-3 levels) and anterior cervical discectomy fusions (1-2 levels). Generally anywhere from 2hr to 23hr stay (overnight) depending on a variety of factors. Any cervical surgery performed posteriorly goes to the floor (inpatient).