Useless question, but I wonder . . .

[disboo]

Here's the background - I have lost 55 pounds on Atkins - gone from a 28/30 to a size (snug!) 18 and feeling great. Unfortunately I have to have some major surgery next week (fortunately things have been caught early)

After the surgery, I will not be eating for several days afterward. I am following all the doctor's directions exactly, and I am not worried about continuing to lose weight until after I have recovered, BUT, my curiosity is getting the better of me. Do people lose weight while being fed intravenously? What is in the stuff they drip into you?

Anybody know? Thanks for satisfying my curiosity!

 

[PartyofSix]

I don't know the answer to your question but wanted to wish you a fast and safe recovery. Let us know how you are doing.

 

[disnygoof]

I'm not sure what they put in the IV, but I believe it may be a combination of nutrients you derive from food and also sugar as well (not 100% certain.)

But, I can tell you that when I had spinal meningitis (while in WDW, btw) I didn't eat ANYTHING b/c all the food made me sick to my stomach so they had to feed me using the IV. I was very skinny by the time I left (I was there a week and I was younger, too - 7th grade I think).

So you'll probably lose weight if you're not eating, but you should still get the nutrients you need from the IV. Just be healthy and take care of yourself while you're in there - don't worry about losing weight

Good luck and happy thoughts

Christiana

 

[wdwnutze]

Just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[TigH]

Good luck with the surgery! You have done an outstanding job with your weight loss program! Sending pixie dust for a quick and comfortable recovery!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

[Jomrog]

{{{HUGS}}} & *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ for a healthy recovery.

 

[susan514]

Good luck and I'm sure all will go well.

As for your question, I'm sure every person is different. But, I have had 3 surgeries in the past 4 years and always gained 7 or 8 pounds from it!!! I would not eat the day before and the day of the surgery but that did not matter. Imagine my surprise when I had outpatient Gall Bladder surgery, had been doing Atkins, was in the hospital for 12 hours only and gained 8 pounds.

Don't let it upset you, your health is more important. Know that you might gain like this but also know that you can lose it very quickly.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Wishing you luck with your surgery. As to your question, I would bring your concerns to your MD, and then you will know for sure what is in the medicine.

 

[CathyCanada]

Another just wanting to wish you a speedy and relatively pain-free recovery! Take care!
CC

 

[KeyKey]

Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery.

You have done great with your weight loss. From my experience with surgery, most weight gain (if any) is your body holding on to fluids. They have to keep you from becoming dehydrated so they pump lots and lots and lots of fluid in you. If you do gain it, it will come off quickly during your recovery.

Watching weight come off fast, for me, always was a great insentive!!!

Wishing you the best

Kim

 

[Minniespal]

Good luck with your surgery.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by disboo
What is in the stuff they drip into you?
Anybody know? Thanks for satisfying my curiosity!

I can help here. The stuff they drip into you is a basic isotonic solution used to stabalize your body's own electrolyte balance and give you fluid volume. The main reason is to keep you hydrated, keep your blood pressure up, and perfuse all of your body's tissues with nutrients. The vital thing is the electrolytes in there which will keep your heart beating in it's normal way and will maintain other metabolic pathways.

Usually it is some combination of saline (salt or sodium), glucose (sugar) and potassium. They'll monitor blood work and go up or down on each individual component depending on your needs.

FULL NUTRITION is called TPN (total pareneteral nutrition) That is reserved for people who will be unable to eat for extended periods of time. It usually includes a bag which supplies minerals, vitamins, proteins, electrolytes, sugars, etc etc. And it includes a glass bottle which includes a white milky substance made up of lipids (fats) I'd be surprised if you got TPN unless you were getting NOTHING by mouth for a week or more. TPN has it's risks (harder on the liver than eating regular food), it's VERY expensive, and it has to be mirco-managed daily and custom ordered and made in a lab.

Hope this helps. I'm praying for a speedy and uneventful recovery!

 

[wovenwonder]

I had surgery friday and came home monday. I also have been following low carb. I GAINED six pounds in three days --- having IV fluids the first day and liquid diet the second and only one day of eating rather little. So YES in my case I DID gain the weight. My Dad had heart surgery and was on IV and liquids for a week and GAINED twenty pounds.

I am still eating carbs. But will get back on track within the week. I know I will feel better once I get back on track but I can't do anything right now but sleep, eat, meds, eat, sleep, rest ---- and the carb treats are giving me something short term to look forward too.

 

[tiggerlover]

Just wanted to say I hope your surgery is successful and that you have a quick and pain-free recovery.

 

[maryliz]

Sending {{{HUGS}}} and Pixie Dust for a speedy recovery. Rest easy and take care of yourself.

Mary Liz

 

[disboo]

Thanks for the specific info on the IV, and for the warning that I may gain water weight, AND for the good wishes. I will be glad when this is all done with! As I said, I am not going to worry about weight loss while I am recovering, but I was curious about what is in a typical IV.

 

[Luvinit]

I will keep you in my prayers, Disboo. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Also, I thought when you have surgery they sometimes "pump" air into you to get to the places they need to get to. Like in Jody's case. I know it takes a few days to release the "air".

 

[nativetxn]

I love your motto, disboo.

I hope the surgery is as easy and painfree as possible. Good luck with this. When are you scheduled? Who will be posting for us on the day of your surgery? We'll be worrying about you until this is over, will you have someone post here when the surgery is all over?

Katholyn

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Sending good thoughts, positive energy and prayers your way. Good luck and have a quick recovery.