Fatter one year after my triple bypass. Why ?

Hi All,

Does anyone here believe that the medications they take have made them put on weight? I ask this because. I'm mobile, active, I'm a vegan & I rarely drink alcohol.

I'm 5' 7''. Pre op I was 13 stone or 182 lbs/ 82 kg. One year later I am 15 stone, or 210 lobs/95.5 kg

I take Atorvastation 80mg, Bisopralol 2.5, Asprin & Ramipril.

My GP Cholesterol is 3 & my Blood sugars are 4.

I still get some angina type chest tightness, but only when I am really exerting myself.

Any one experienced anything similar?

[AlfredV]

Statins are known to cause a reduction in insulin sensitivity which is why they increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Insulin is the "fat hormone", essentially taking excess glucose in the blood and storing it away in fat cells. When sensitivity to insulin decreases, more of it is required to do the same job, this can result in weight gain.

I think it is also suspected that beta blockers can slow down the metabolism which could also manifest in weight gain.

That said, your doctor places heart patients on these meds for good reason, even though excess weight/fat is a risk factor for heart disease. Might be worth a chat with your GP to see what they suggest.

[cometwatcher1927]

I’m 9-10 weeks post op quad bypass

On similar meds , weight gone up too

Was told am storing water which is due to oedema in legs

Interesting you still have angina probs

I’ve just had to restart my GTN spray use

[Hidden]

Hi, thank you for your prompt response.

Being vegan means I don't eat meat or dairy or even use oil & I don't eat processed vegan foods sold in stores & I have never eaten sugars that I was made aware of. I became vegan ten years ago, I lost a lot of weight and had always kept it off until my op ! I don't have a huge appetite. I only eat between the hours of 1 pm &

9 pm ( Intermittent fasting) twice daily. I get my protein from pulses & legumes.

I should add my cardiac condition was certainly NOT due to a shoddy or unhealthy lifestyle. My condition was inherited. I attend my Gym 4 x a week doing a mix of cardio and weights & have a personal trainer (Who is also so baffled) my monthly weigh in and waist measurement have still increased !

And yet in spite of all I have said .... I am still putting on weight. The only conclusion I am left with is to query my prescribed medication. My Doctor is left scratching his head & has referred me back to the Cardiac clinic.

[Happyrosie in reply to Hidden]

Many surgeries , or rather groups of surgeries, in the UK employ a dietician and one or more pharmacists. So your GP could refer you to one or the other person for their opinion.

[Hidden]

I'm 68yo male on similar meds - my Atorvastatin is only 40mg, Bisoprolol and Ramipril both 1.25mg, Aspirin; in addition I'm given a diuretic Furosemide 40mg. These were all new medications I left hospital with 15 months ago and they've never been changed. I feel fit and well, and can manage frequent jogging. I'm vegetarian+fish but don't eat anything sweet or processed (no biscuits, cake, crisps, chocolate, pies or pastry) and no alcohol. What a boring life I lead.

I don't have a weight problem, I now weigh the same as I did pre-op. Tbf, I have always been on the skinny side, unable to build muscle mass. When in hospital I did put on several kg, I was told it was fluid (my feet did look a bit swollen). I was also told that during recovery you should eat more because the body requires it, and I suppose once that phase is over you don't need so much.

Is it body fat that's increasing your weight or is something else going on, increased muscle mass or fluid retention? Maybe try aerobic exercise only without the muscle-building to see what happens?