Weight gain after a colonoscopy
jlwalsh854
Posts: 2 Member
I had a colonoscopy done yesterday and had to start prepping for it 3 days ahead of time. Friday I started a restricted diet, Sunday clear liquids only, and yesterday I didn't eat anything until after the procedure and that was a small dinner. On Sunday the day before the procedure I had to drink a gallon of Gavilyte which is a laxative and take 2 Dulcolax. I thought being this cleaned out and not eating very much I would have lost weight. But I've gained 4.5 pounds in the last 3 days. How is this even possible? Everything I've read people posted about losing weight. Am I the only one this has happened to?
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Replies
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1. 4.5 pounds is in the normal range of weight fluctuations anyway.
2. If you lost any weight with the restrictive diet, it was water weight. It probably just came back when you started eating normally again.5 -
Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »1. 4.5 pounds is in the normal range of weight fluctuations anyway.
2. If you lost any weight with the restrictive diet, it was water weight. It probably just came back when you started eating normally again.
4.5lbs a normal weight fluctuation?? Really? Adding 2 kg is quite a lot. No idea how that has happened unless your body went into some kind of shock and clung on to every bit of fat it could. Were you eating heavy before a few days ago?
Well colonoscopy prep severely dehydrates you so it's not unusual to retain fluid afterwards nothing to do with clinging onto every bit of fat.11 -
Maybe the Dr. left the scope inside. They weigh around five pounds.15
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It's the probe they secretly implanted. Don't worry, it will eventually surface and turn into a large signaling dish.
But yeah, the regain you are seeing makes perfect sense, given the nature of the prep.5 -
Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »1. 4.5 pounds is in the normal range of weight fluctuations anyway.
2. If you lost any weight with the restrictive diet, it was water weight. It probably just came back when you started eating normally again.
4.5lbs a normal weight fluctuation?? Really? Adding 2 kg is quite a lot. No idea how that has happened unless your body went into some kind of shock and clung on to every bit of fat it could. Were you eating heavy before a few days ago?
Clinging to every bit of fat from shock?
It's more likely water retention as a response to severe dehydration as singingflutelady said.
Hope all went well with your colonoscopy, OP.5 -
singingflutelady wrote: »Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »1. 4.5 pounds is in the normal range of weight fluctuations anyway.
2. If you lost any weight with the restrictive diet, it was water weight. It probably just came back when you started eating normally again.
4.5lbs a normal weight fluctuation?? Really? Adding 2 kg is quite a lot. No idea how that has happened unless your body went into some kind of shock and clung on to every bit of fat it could. Were you eating heavy before a few days ago?
Well colonoscopy prep severely dehydrates you so it's not unusual to retain fluid afterwards nothing to do with clinging onto every bit of fat.
So where does a 4.5lbs increase come from?
Drinking/eating after the scope.2 -
You were on a restricted diet and you went under sedation/anesthesia for an invasive scope. It's going to take a few days for your body to get back to normal.4
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Relax - and great job taking care of your health.
It'' all dissipate in a day or two.
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »
So true! I was actually excited for my last scope because I knew I was going to take a much needed nap lol.1 -
It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it
or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing 2 -
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You lost 4.5lbs of waste and water from the laxative. Since then you've eaten normally and returned to normal.3
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Good luck - will remove my earlier comment before 50 other people comments lol
Yes, anywhere between 1-5 lbs is normal depending on time of day, sodium intake, time of month (for women), exercise level, hydration level, etc. Considering that OP was dehydrated from a restrictive diet prior to the colonoscopy, it is completely reasonable to assume that the 4.5 lbs is a water weight fluctuation and nothing to worry about.
Funny how instead of admitting that you might be wrong (which is okay, by the way), you decided to go after those who were correcting you and delete your comment.5 -
singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.7 -
totally normal with anesthesia and lots of fluids. Give it 3-4 days.1
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I go in Thursday for my first colonoscopy. I think I'll skip weighing myself on Friday. I thought the one benefit would be losing some weight with the liquid diet, but maybe not. 0
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.
Oh I don't enjoy them as I hate hate prep and prep seems to trigger Crohn's symptoms as it seriously effects your gut flora but I understand the need for them lol. I'm on an every year schedule but my GI just ordered a faecal calprotectin test so hopefully that means no colonoscopy in 2017!1 -
The prep stuff is high in sodium, which could cause fluid retention. You did not gain fat in those pounds, you gained water weight.3
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singingflutelady wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.
Oh I don't enjoy them as I hate hate prep and prep seems to trigger Crohn's symptoms as it seriously effects your gut flora but I understand the need for them lol. I'm on an every year schedule but my GI just ordered a faecal calprotectin test so hopefully that means no colonoscopy in 2017!
Yeah, that yearly schedule sucks. Fingers crossed you get to skip a year!1 -
singingflutelady wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.
Oh I don't enjoy them as I hate hate prep and prep seems to trigger Crohn's symptoms as it seriously effects your gut flora but I understand the need for them lol. I'm on an every year schedule but my GI just ordered a faecal calprotectin test so hopefully that means no colonoscopy in 2017!
That's miserable - wishing you luck! I was on a 6 month schedule for 2 years and I am ever so happy to be back to the 5 year schedule.0 -
jlwalsh854 wrote: »I had a colonoscopy done yesterday and had to start prepping for it 3 days ahead of time. Friday I started a restricted diet, Sunday clear liquids only, and yesterday I didn't eat anything until after the procedure and that was a small dinner. On Sunday the day before the procedure I had to drink a gallon of Gavilyte which is a laxative and take 2 Dulcolax. I thought being this cleaned out and not eating very much I would have lost weight. But I've gained 4.5 pounds in the last 3 days. How is this even possible? Everything I've read people posted about losing weight. Am I the only one this has happened to?
I can't speak to a colonospy surgery but this summer I had a a surgery and I gained 14 lbs during the process. I fasted before I went in, didn't eat during or after recovery. Came home and weighed for some ridiculous reason and was a bit shocked but it had to be the IV fluids etc., who knows.... I dropped it all in less than 2 days. It was real weight gain, it was simply interesting weight gain. lol
Oh and gatoraid some have you drink... that's full of sodiumGottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »1. 4.5 pounds is in the normal range of weight fluctuations anyway.
2. If you lost any weight with the restrictive diet, it was water weight. It probably just came back when you started eating normally again.
4.5lbs a normal weight fluctuation?? Really? Adding 2 kg is quite a lot. No idea how that has happened unless your body went into some kind of shock and clung on to every bit of fat it could. Were you eating heavy before a few days ago?
Clinging to every bit of fat from shock?
It's more likely water retention as a response to severe dehydration as singingflutelady said.
Hope all went well with your colonoscopy, OP.
Yea, I think I'd be more concerned about my results than a couple lbs. of water weight. Don't they often recommend drinking Gatorade, that's full of sodium isn't it?
As others have shared it's not weight that's going to stay as it's only been a couple days and your body is recovering from the "Cleanse". :laugh:
There we go... next time someone starts a new thread about 'Cleanses' (not you OP
) one can ask if they are due for a Colonoscopy as that's a cleanse of all cleanses! 1 -
singingflutelady wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.
Oh I don't enjoy them as I hate hate prep and prep seems to trigger Crohn's symptoms as it seriously effects your gut flora but I understand the need for them lol. I'm on an every year schedule but my GI just ordered a faecal calprotectin test so hopefully that means no colonoscopy in 2017!
That's miserable - wishing you luck! I was on a 6 month schedule for 2 years and I am ever so happy to be back to the 5 year schedule.
Though I am waiting for surgery which more than likely will involve prep so I can't get away from it lol0 -
singingflutelady wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.
Oh I don't enjoy them as I hate hate prep and prep seems to trigger Crohn's symptoms as it seriously effects your gut flora but I understand the need for them lol. I'm on an every year schedule but my GI just ordered a faecal calprotectin test so hopefully that means no colonoscopy in 2017!
That's miserable - wishing you luck! I was on a 6 month schedule for 2 years and I am ever so happy to be back to the 5 year schedule.
Though I am waiting for surgery which more than likely will involve prep so I can't get away from it lol
That's how they got me twice in one week - had the colonoscopy on Tuesday, doctors conferred and on Wednesday said "oh, we've decided to do the surgery on Friday!" Uh, couldn't you have warned me before I resumed my regular diet?
Hope your surgery goes well.1 -
singingflutelady wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »It's awesome but finding out your inflammation/ ulceration is getting better and that your polyps aren't cancerous is worth it or finding out it is worse so they can take steps to fix it is also a good thing
True. It's just that the prep induces a nightmarish migraine for me (fasting states are usually not good for migraineurs) so it's not something that's an easy ride for me.
I was on the frequent colonoscopy schedule because I had precancerous polyps, so the whole thing was a nightmare. Thankfully, my last colonoscopy finally came back free of anything. I'm down to every five years like a normal person now.
Oh I don't enjoy them as I hate hate prep and prep seems to trigger Crohn's symptoms as it seriously effects your gut flora but I understand the need for them lol. I'm on an every year schedule but my GI just ordered a faecal calprotectin test so hopefully that means no colonoscopy in 2017!
That's miserable - wishing you luck! I was on a 6 month schedule for 2 years and I am ever so happy to be back to the 5 year schedule.
Though I am waiting for surgery which more than likely will involve prep so I can't get away from it lol
That's how they got me twice in one week - had the colonoscopy on Tuesday, doctors conferred and on Wednesday said "oh, we've decided to do the surgery on Friday!" Uh, couldn't you have warned me before I resumed my regular diet?
Hope your surgery goes well.
I am still waiting to see a surgeon (I'm in Canada and wait times are insane) but hopefully it will not be too much longer as I really want this surgery0 -
I gain every time I have one (family history of cancer at very young ages, so frequently). I fast for two days and ask for the smaller prep - 16 oz the afternoon before and a second 16 oz. Aside from maybe 500-600 calories from soda/juice/broth/citrus slices, I'm not consuming much for two days prior.
I'm usually 2-3 pounds heavier for 3 or so days afterwards. The prep solutions have a lot of sodium, so I would guess I'm just retaining extra fluids. They are usually giving you a few IV bags of saline as well for hydration and sedation administration.
Also, it's fun to joke with the nurses about how you can eat literally nothing and still gain weight! It's very funny while I'm being sedated, anyway . . . 2 -
It's water weight. You're fine.0
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singingflutelady wrote: »Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »1. 4.5 pounds is in the normal range of weight fluctuations anyway.
2. If you lost any weight with the restrictive diet, it was water weight. It probably just came back when you started eating normally again.
4.5lbs a normal weight fluctuation?? Really? Adding 2 kg is quite a lot. No idea how that has happened unless your body went into some kind of shock and clung on to every bit of fat it could. Were you eating heavy before a few days ago?
Well colonoscopy prep severely dehydrates you so it's not unusual to retain fluid afterwards nothing to do with clinging onto every bit of fat.
So where does a 4.5lbs increase come from?
A 4.5lb fluctuation within a few days is mostly water weight, regardless. It is not your body clinging onto fat. It's not going to randomly create an extra 4.5lbs of fat from nothing.
OP, like others have said, water retention is the most likely culprit. It should dissipate in the coming days as you get back to your normal routine. That must have been a bit of a shock. The Gavilyte contains electrolytes so that as things are "cleansed" you don't develop an electrolyte imbalance. Side effects listed here:
http://gavilyte.com/1 -
Thanks everyone. Everything came back normal. I'll chalk up the weight gain to water retention and hope it goes away in a few days. Glad I don't have to do this for another 5 years. The gallon of Gavilyte I had to drink was awful.6
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