Pitting on Weight after CABG - British Heart Fou...

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Pitting on Weight after CABG

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
13 Replies

Hi all,

Fairly new to this and I got an amazing response to my first post. My question this time around is two fold, did anyone have trouble putting on weight after cabg surgery . I am sure the anxiety I have is the culprit but any experiences are welcome.

Thanks again.

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Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601
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13 Replies
RufusScamp profile image
RufusScamp

Three possibilities that occur to me are do you get as much exercise as you did pre-op, or have they changed your meds? I blame bisoprolol for my weight gain. Possibly unfairly. If it's a rapid gain, I assume you are being checked for fluid retention, which is also part of my problem.

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601 in reply to RufusScamp

Hi Thanks for the reply, I exercised a lot and m now trying to put weight on.

RufusScamp profile image
RufusScamp in reply to Jeanvaljean24601

Sorry! I misread your post, having spent the last two years trying to get the excess off. The obvious thing is to avoid low-fat options, but there again, too much fat is bad. Can your GP recommend a dietitian?

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601 in reply to RufusScamp

Exactly , 2.5 cholestral but borderline type2 so cutting out carbs and not wanting to have a high fat diet. I was thinking of ensure plus drinks hence seeking the advice of all the folks on her

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply to RufusScamp

Yes, I tried to blame bisoprolol. After research it seems it is likely to add one or two pounds to your weight initially, but has no impact after that.

So if you can get rid of that extra 2 pounds then it will not stop you taking off more. (chocolate will, Cheese will, Bread will...in fact anything that tastes nice will, but we can't blame our medication too much)

DWizza profile image
DWizza

I’m 3kg lighter 2 months post quadruple bypass. I put that down to cutting booze and associated snacks. Are you looking to gain weight ? Any context to your weight , are you under an ideal weight ? Readings to gain ? Are you looking to gain strength/retain muscle mass, ward off sarcopenia etc ?

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601 in reply to DWizza

Thanks for your reply, not under weight but have lost a wee bit of muscle mass. I have overhauled my diet , cut down vastly on carbs, no sweet things,(not that I done that in a big way) snacks out the window. I suppose couple all that and add some anxiety it’s bound to affect everything. 6 months on just can’t accept what has happened. I am obviously not alone though

DWizza profile image
DWizza in reply to Jeanvaljean24601

I’ve lost a lot of my muscle gains too but I have residual strength & fitness from my training over the last 5 years. I’m eating 2g per kg of lean protein, getting the nutrients in with fruit & veg and good fats (avocado, peanut butter , extra virgin olive oil, eggs from out hens etc) eating carbs for energy (making bread) , rice , potatoes , plenty of bread 👍, occasionally fresh pasta. Alss as o drinking loads of skimmed milk. I swear that has all helped my recovery, knitting my breastbone and chest muscles back. One of my surgeons remarked that he knew I kept myself fit and strong as there was a lot of very healthy , strong breast bone fit him to cut through and lots of muscle on my chest 🤢… they anticipated that it would take me longer than most people to recover , for the nerve endings to knit back , etc. however, the opposite has been true so far. Only two months post op and I was back working out on our small holding ( mindful of limits ) I was poo picking , barrowing , driving and riding my motorcycle. Rehab classes are a breeze at the moment compss as red to my daily walking the Lurcher and yard work. Had a nutrition talk on Monday , no great surprises there, keeping the weight off will be good 👍. Getting the variety of unprocessed foods is key along with knowledge about unsaturated fats , calorie dense foods , exercise and not cutting out food groups unless a medical reason . I was surprised to learn that I can have 30g of cheese a day 🤣…

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601 in reply to DWizza

Thanks for the very insightful reply . I shall have to work my way through it but by bit. There are some calorie dense foods I can’t have being this borderline type2 case. That was a shock to me also. I guess it’s all about balance, I cut 75% carbs out my diet and check everything for sugar content. The irony is almost everything has sugar in it. I was always of the opinion I could eat what I wanted because I exercised so much which is clearly not the case. I have a cholesterol reading of 2.5 but now don’t go anywhere near processed foods etc. anyway everyday is a school day , so thanks again for you reply 👍

Oldknees profile image
Oldknees

the only way to put weight on is to eat more and try some Guinness x

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601 in reply to Oldknees

Yes I used to advise people who asked me about getting fit and losing weight , calories in against calories out. Hard to take your own advice sometimes. Unfortunately I don’t like Guiness .

Thanks for your reply👍

Nkdwine profile image
Nkdwine

Jean,

I have also stuggled to put weight on after surgery. Initially I had no appetite largely due to pain killers, however 3 months later I have regained my appetite but still no weight gain. I have concluded that it is muscle loss, mainly off my glutes and legs.

Could this be the case with you?

Jeanvaljean24601 profile image
Jeanvaljean24601

Hi and thanks for your reply. I think I have always been fairly well built. Yes glutes legs and shoulders. I didn’t lose an apetite but did cut down on carbs etc. I was told also I was borderline type 2 so that didn’t help. It’s very much a psychological issue. I’m six months in now and still ruminate every day.

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