Weight Loss After Heart Surgery
Yes.
That is my answer to Sally’s question, “Did you lose weight after heart surgery?”
In fact, I lost ALOT of weight after heart surgery. Robyn (my wife) just reminded me that I lost about 15 pounds during the three months after heart surgery. Before surgery, I weighed 187. Then, I dropped to 172. Then, I ate like crazy to fuel my body as it healed. Now, I’m hanging around 192 pounds. I’d like to get back to my pre-surgery weight of 187 - but you probably how tough it is to lose 5 pounds. 
So you know, not all patients lose weight after heart surgery. I have spoken to a number of patients that have had the exact opposite occur…. They gain weight.
Regardless of whether you lose or gain weight, the critical element of surgery is that your heart is fixed and your surgery is successful. A few pounds here-or-there won’t kill you, but a faulty valve will.
Keep on tickin!
P.S. Did you lose or gain weight after surgery? If so, please leave a comment!
Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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September 13th, 2008 at 5:57 am
hi. Adam
i lost 3kg after the op but i am back to my normal weight i would have prefered to keep it off , although everyone said I looked grey for sometime i think it was a month before my normal colour come back.
take care
September 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Hi Fazilat,
Interesting you mention your skin color after heart surgery…
So you know, I went INCREDIBLY PALE after my operation.
After two weeks of looking like a ghost, I went back to my cardiologist to make sure I was doing alright. It turned out that I was anemic. Doctor Rosin made me go out and buy a pound of chopped liver to get some iron back in my system.
After one week (and two more pounds of chopped liver), the anemia went away and some of my weight came back.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
September 13th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Hi Adam: In answer to the question of losing weight, my circumstances were a bit different/ After my aortic valve replacement, and when being able to eat again, I was ravenous. My appetitie was high and I seemed to always be famished. For some strange reason, one would think one would gain weight when eating everything in site (in spite of the awful hospital food) but I did not gain weight either. To me this was a very strange feeling.
Thanks for all your good work on valve replacements.
M. Pugh
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I had double bi pass two weeks ago. I am a 49 year old male, 5′ 6′’ and 165lbs prior to surgery. Today I weigh 150 and seem to keep loosing a little each day. My doctor tells me this is ok, but its important to watch your weight everyday after surgery. A gain of over 3-5 pounds a day could indicate fluid retention and result in congestive heart failure if not attended too. I wasn’t eating much after surgery. It took me being home for a day to get back any decent appetite. I came home 3 1/2 days after. I am now eating everything they tell you too. No red meats, limited white meat, lots of vegis and fruit along with high fiber whole grain breads/cereals. I do love salmon and as always, continue to eat it. I am hoping to be able to keep the weight off. Find myself reading labels more and keeping within the guide lines.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Had aortic valve replacement 3 weeks ago. Lost 10 lbs. the first 2 weeks post-op. Feeling good, off pain meds for 1 1/2 weeks now, but appetite still isn’t back. Adam- your book was very helpful! Thank you!
December 11th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Hi Adam:
I am 41 and have had sudden fluid retention for about 8 months now. I have gone from 178 to 220. I had Rheumatic Fever when I was a child and I was just diagnosed with Mitral Valve Stenosis. Have cardiology consult Jan 7th, 2009. I am taking Lasix 80mg and Spiralactadone 50 mg every day. If I have to have the open heart version of replacement, how long will I be down and out? I am a nurse and we are the worst patients!
Thanks
Susan
December 11th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
My husband was up 14 lbs the day after surgery. After some lasix he lost the 14 and about 10 more over the next week or so. It took awhile for his appetite to return. Everything he ate tasted bland to him. Once he got off the pain meds everything changed for the better including his appetite
December 12th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I have had a heart cath. They found 3+ mitral regur. Next week I have the stess echo. My symptoms are pretty bad. I have gained over 20 lbs. I am on a lasix. I feel like a really fat pig. Is the weight gain normal with leaky valves? I would love to hear from any one that has or is going through this. My ankles are not swelling. I have gained around the stomach and upper body. Thanks!
June 8th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
i had open heart four months ago and since i have been walking, going to the gym three times a week. i have put on seven klg and i am finding it hard to lose weight but i feel really good.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
My dad had aortic valve replacement at the end of april, he has lost a total of 69 lbs since he’s been out of the hospital. He has no taste still and he can’t eat or he throws up. He can only drink liquids. He can’t take most of his meds because he throws them up or gags. The doctors act like everything is ok. It seems a little strange to me. He is miserable and really weak. Does anyone know what could cause this?
June 17th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I had my aortic valve replaced the end of March with a mechanical valve. I lost weight after I got home due to the medication I took but now I just keep gaining weight. People at rehab say it probably is muscle but I weigh more now than I ever did. I’m getting my energy back but I would think with the workouts I have at rehab I should be losing. I don’t eat any differently but seem to gain. Also having the mechanical and going on coumaden for the rest of your life is not that big of a problem if people are trying to decide the difference. It’s better than worrying about maybe having this done again in 15-20 years. I also had graphing put around my aorta since it was enlarging.
September 16th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Hi Adam,
I had a peridectomy 3weeks ago. Have been home for 1 week and still loosing weight. Down to 71.5 kg from 73.5 kg in hospital. Lost .5 kg in last 3 days. Am eating well ( wife says ..more like a horse) but not making any difference.
Regards, George
PS Was originally 86.5 kg.