Alterations in weight after appendectomy
Many people complain of weight changes during the postoperative period after abdominal surgery. Appendectomy is one of the abdominal operations performed more frequently. Although there are no scientific studies investigating this problem, here we will try to propose some reasons for this phenomenon.
Weight loss in the early postoperative period
During the first hours after any abdominal surgery, a condition called paralytic illeus occurs. In other words, the intestines become confused and take several hours so they can start working. During this period, the patient should not eat and during the first postoperative day not only clear liquids are allowed. The anesthesia usually can cause nausea, which can last 24 hours.
During the five to seven days after surgery, it is recommended to take easily digestible foods and avoid spices, fat, lactose and foods that cause bloating, such as beans, lettuce and broccoli. Appetite also decreases during the first days after the operation. Changes in diet have the strongest effect on obese people who are used to eating large amounts of high-calorie foods daily. A calorie deficit early postoperative period may cause loss of up to 5 pounds / kilos during the first few days after surgery.
Weight gain during the late postoperative period
The different abdominal operations have different recovery periods. For an appendectomy, it takes three to four weeks if there were no complications, before a person becomes fully active. During the postoperative period, appetite recovers and most of the pain is gone, but staying in bed is recommended because of the stitches and healing of wounds.
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As the appetite is restored, it is natural to feel the need to eat more food, especially after dieting during the early postoperative period. Taking more food usually causes weight gain that offset the initial loss, but patients typically earn a little more than they have lost.
People who normally do not eat large amounts, usually more seriously affected because their metabolism is not able to burn a lot of calories, so it makes them fat.
Changes in the amount of physical activity
The level of physical activity of a person is also very important to maintain weight. Postoperatively, you are required to avoid exercise. Imagine what can affect a person who was accustomed to exercising daily. The agency still expects the exercise to burn excess calories, but as it is not, it becomes fat.
We conclude that changes in eating habits and physical activity during the early and late postoperative period after appendectomy, are the main causes of weight disorders. It is not just about how much you eat, it’s also about the amount of their new patterns of diet and activity level that differ from previous employers.
