Ritu Agarwal Ritu Agarwal Asked 9 months ago

Can anesthesia cause weight gain?

After my recent operation, a bit of weight gain has been noticeable, which is unusual for me. Could the anesthesia given during surgery somehow contribute to this sudden weight increase, or is it probably something else?

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8 answers

Vikram Sethi Vikram Sethi Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago
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I had surgery last month and felt like I instantly gained 3 kgs of bloat. My doctor told me it's not actual fat, but water retention from the IV fluids and anesthesia drugs. Within two weeks of drinking plenty of water and walking, all that bloating went away.

Kalyani Nair Kalyani Nair Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

Yes, anesthesia itself doesn't cause long-term weight gain, but temporary bloating due to IV fluids and postoperative physical inactivity is very common.

Abhinav Gupta Abhinav Gupta Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

If you are noticing weight gain after surgery, it is highly likely due to temporary fluid retention or lack of movement during recovery, not the anesthesia drugs. Don't worry too much about it now. Focus on recovery, and once your doctor clears you, resume your normal activity levels.

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Sarla Devi Sarla Devi Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

My son looked very chubby and bloated for a few days after his appendix operation under anesthesia. I got quite worried, but his pediatrician said it's just saline fluids and lack of playing around. Give it some time and let them rest, the weight goes back to normal soon.

Meera Chawla Meera Chawla Joined Apr 2026 7 months ago

I have thyroid issues and always struggle with fluid retention after any medical procedure under anesthesia. If your weight gain persists beyond a couple of weeks, please consult your doctor. It might be worth checking your thyroid levels or hormonal balance just to be sure.

Satish Varma Satish Varma Joined Feb 2026 8 months ago

Anesthesia and surgical stress can cause temporary insulin resistance, which might lead to water retention and slight weight gain. Keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels during this time. Make sure you follow the diabetic diet prescribed by your doctor and avoid high-sodium foods to reduce bloating.

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Ramesh Rao Ramesh Rao Joined Mar 2026 8 months ago

Anesthesia temporarily slows down the body's metabolism and digestion, which can feel like weight gain or heaviness. Once your body is healed and your doctor allows, gentle deep breathing exercises like Pranayama will help clear toxins and restore balance.

Neha Kulkarni Neha Kulkarni Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Oh my gosh, I panicked so much when my scale showed a 2 kg jump after my minor procedure! I thought the anesthesia permanently messed up my hormones. But it was honestly just water weight, and it went away within ten days. Please don't stress over it, it's very normal!

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