Anjali Mehta Anjali Mehta Asked 7 months ago

Can fluid retention cause weight gain?

I've been feeling unusually bloated and my ankles look swollen, plus the weighing scale is showing a higher number. A friend told me it might be water retention. Is it true that fluid retention can actually cause weight gain?

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8 answers

Nisha Shah Nisha Shah Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago
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Yes, and it is so frustrating because you see the scale jump up by 2-3 kgs overnight and feel like all your hard work is wasted. I used to cry looking at the scale until I realized it was just water weight from my periods and sodium intake. Please don't be hard on yourself, your body is just holding onto water temporarily.

Aditya Verma Aditya Verma Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

Yes, water retention can definitely show up as extra weight on the scale. Try reducing your salt intake for a few days and drink plenty of water to help flush it out.

Anjali Sharma Anjali Sharma Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

I totally get it, seeing that sudden weight gain can make you feel so bloated and defeated. Fluid retention is very real and can easily add a couple of kilos, especially around that time of the month. Take a deep breath, it is not actual fat gain, and it will go away once your body balances out.

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Rahul Deshmukh Rahul Deshmukh Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Hey, don't stress about this too much. Yes, fluid retention absolutely causes temporary weight gain, but it is just water, not fat. Make sure you are sleeping well, drinking enough water, and staying active. If the swelling in your feet or hands doesn't go away, then we can show it to a doctor, okay?

Rohan Mehta Rohan Mehta Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Actually yaar, water weight is a major culprit behind sudden scale jumps. I ate high-sodium Chinese food last weekend and gained like 2 kgs the next day, which was just fluid retention. Don't worry, just cut down on processed food and drink lots of water, normal ho jayega automatic.

Kriti Joshi Kriti Joshi Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago

I completely understand how terrifying it feels when the scale goes up for no apparent reason, I used to panic and think something was seriously wrong with me. But yes, fluid retention can cause significant weight fluctuations. It is a very common physical response, so try not to let the anxiety take over.

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Preeti Nair Preeti Nair Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

Yes, water retention absolutely causes temporary weight gain. Don't worry, it's just fluid and usually goes away in a few days once you adjust your diet.

Siddharth Das Siddharth Das Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago

I was researching this yesterday because my feet looked swollen and I suddenly felt heavier. It turns out our bodies can hold onto liters of extra water due to salt, hormones, or even sitting too long, which reflects on the scale. It's crazy how much water weight can actually mimic real weight gain.

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