7 Effects of Weight Gain After Tummy Tuck (How to Avoid It) - Flab Fix (2024)

Are there side effects caused by weight gain after tummy tuck?

Despite the availability of fitness trainers and various diet programs, most people regain weight even after losing it. This forces them to find alternatives such as tummy tuck also known as abdominoplasty, to realize sustainable reductions of body fat.

You can do the mini tummy tuck to eliminate loose skin, full tummy tuck where fat and excess skin around your navel is removed, and extended tummy tuck where excess fat is removed from your stomach, hips, sides and lower back.

Despite numerous supposed benefits of tummy tuck, some people report weight gain after this procedure.

This article sheds light on the causes of weight gain after tummy tuck, its effects and how to lose weight caused by weight gain.

EFFECTS OF WEIGHT GAIN AFTER TUMMY TUCK

1. BELLY FAT

Belly fat is removed during tummy tuck. However, you can still gain it back when you consume foods high in calories. This is because the remaining fat cells are very sensitive to any high intake of fats subjected to it.

To avoid belly fat, cut carbs in your diet, avoid processed foods and do workouts that specifically target your stomach.

2. STRETCH MARKS

Gaining weight rapidly after tummy tuck stretches your skin due to the tear and wear of elastic fibres. These forces the skin to have long, thin scars that are mostly red, pink and purple in color.

Stretch marks can appear on the stomach, hips, thighs and chest.

According to Healthline, maintaining a healthy weight, plenty of water and foods rich in vitamin C, D, E, zinc are the various ways you can avoid stretch marks.

3. SLEEP APNEA

This is a condition where your airway is partially blocked due to excess weight mostly around your neck and chest.

If you add an approximate of 10 per cent of your weight, you heighten your risk of getting this condition.

To avoid sleep apnea, maintain a healthy weight, try yoga and alter your sleeping patterns once in a while.

4. FATIGUE

Weight gain after tummy tuck may lead to fatigue. As a result, you report low levels of energy after any workouts. You also end up feeling tired, exhausted, weariness and weakness in your joints.

Fatigue may cause you not to work out. This leads to deconditioning of the muscles making it harder to perform more challenging tasks.

To avoid fatigue caused by weight gain; Get proper sleep and adequate nutrition.

5. INFLAMMATION

Abrupt weight gain exerts a lot of pressure leading to damage of cells, resulting in chronic inflammation. The symptoms of inflammation include redness, pain, swelling and excessive heat in the body.

To avoid inflammation; stay hydrated all the time, eat fruits and vegetables.

6. SWELLING

Swelling occurs when water gets retained in your body tissues due to weight gain leading to congestion. Water retained from both surgery and weight gain makes body parts such as ankles and stomach to swell.

Additionally, gaining weight after tummy tuck results in difficulties in pumping blood. This increases the amount of fluid retained in the heart leading to swelling.

7. YOU MAY GET STROKE

A stroke occurs when oxygen and nutrients can’t reach your brain tissues. According to this study, stroke is the leading cause of most deaths in the United States and is caused by excessive weight gain.

The signs and symptoms of stroke include trouble in speech, paralysis and headaches. To avoid stroke, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid smoking.

WHAT CAUSES WEIGHT GAIN AFTER TUMMY TUCK

1. UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES

Healthy habits are the key. You can’t deny your body the benefits of regular exercises, balanced diet, proper sleep, lots of water, and expect not to gain it all.

2. HORMONES

The unbalanced hormone can be the cause of weight gain after performing a tummy tuck. It keeps on fluctuating in different people.

Examples include acromegaly, which is responsible for the excess growth of cells in human. If you have too much of it, you’re likely to report fast weight gain even after tummy tuck.

Excess production of cortisolis also responsible for increasing appetite levels after tummy tuck.

3. STRESS

Chronic stress after a tummy tuck can eventually lead to weight gain.

When you’re under stress, the hormone cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands which stimulate carbohydrate and fat metabolism, increasing your appetite levels.

Also, high cortisol levels increase your cravings for salty foods, sweet and fat in nature, which adds more calories.

4. FLUID RETENTION AFTER SURGERY

During a tummy tuck, the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels (drainage system for fluids) are cut, making them drained slowly. Consequently, there may be a buildup of fluids in some organs of the stomach leading to swelling or edema, causing weight gain.

However, the swelling varies with the treatment plan you used for the tummy tuck.

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT AFTER TUMMY TUCK

How to lose weight after tummy tuck depends on the amount of excess skin you have, type of surgery, and the kilos you want to shed.

The following are ways you can lose weight after a tummy tuck.

EXERCISE

Exercise is vital to the body as it burns excess fats, keeping you healthy in the process.

According to evidence, aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity workout or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity workouts to significantly reduce weight.

HEALTHY DIET

The fact that people are looking for the best diet to lose weight has made the diet industry to be a billion-dollar business.

You should know that it doesn’t take much to eat a healthy diet. You only need to count the number of calories you eat, avoid processed foods, beverages and carbs as much as you can.

GET ADEQUATE SLEEP

More than a third of the American adult population don’t get enough sleep each year. However, you should know that getting adequate shut-eye is important for your weight loss due to obvious reasons.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, you’re likely to engage in late-night snacking when not asleep. You’ll likely choose snacks rich in carbohydrates as they are very comforting and satisfying.

Additionally, Inadequate sleep slows your metabolism rate. Therefore, you require 7-9 hours of sleep every day to report a sustainable weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Weight gain after tummy tuck is a problem common to many people after undergoing abdominoplasty procedure.

This weight gain causes undesirable effects such as stretch marks, inflammation and swelling. To prevent this, do regular exercises, incorporate proper diet, have enough sleep, stay hydrated and finally, avoid stress.

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