People gain weight after total knee replacement due to temporary inflammation and fluid retention, reduced activity during healing, and potential lifestyle/metabolic shifts, even though the surgery aims to improve mobility; many studies show a significant portion of patients gain weight long-term, contrary to expectations, highlighting the need for dedicated nutrition support alongside physical therapy.
Following total knee or total hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA), up to 31% of recipients experience significant weight gain while up to 14% experience significant weight loss. Factors associated with significant weight change (≥5% of baseline weight) have not been comprehensively explored.
Try intermittent fasting for 12 hours instead of 16. Try just giving up sugar or just giving up soda. Many patients lose a tremendous amount of weight from just giving up sugar laden sodas that they drink all day. Increase the amount of leafy greens you take in one day from none to 3 or 4 cups.
The duration of post-surgery weight gain varies widely depending on individual factors, the type of surgery, and the body's healing process. Generally, water retention and inflammation-related weight increases can last from a few days up to several weeks.
Results. Of the persons in the knee arthroplasty sample, 30.0% gained 5% or more of baseline body weight five years following surgery as compared to 19.7% of the control sample.
One of the most common causes of weight gain is lifestyle changes. This can include changes in diet, physical activity and sleep patterns. For example, if you start eating more calories than you burn, you may experience weight gain. Similarly, if you become less physically active, you may also gain weight.
There are several safe and effective ways to reduce swelling after surgery at home:
In many cases, the solution is to drink more water. Although it sounds counterintuitive, consuming water can actually reduce edema after surgery. Consuming fewer carbohydrates and reducing your salt intake can help too. It's also a good idea to exercise to lose post-surgery water weight.
If you gain 2 to 3 pounds a day, or 5 pounds a week, you should see your provider. It's also important to see them if you gain 5% or more of your body weight in a month. This type of unexpected weight gain may be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Aside from physiotherapy exercises, walking is one of the most important activities you can do following a knee replacement. It increases mobility while strengthening the muscles around the new joint. Initially, you'll likely be given walking aids to help you, but after a week or so, you should be able to walk unaided.
Some low-impact exercises that are good for people with knee pain include:
Post-surgical knee stiffness, often referred to as “arthrofibrosis,” is one of the most reportedissues following procedures such as total knee replacement or ACL reconstruction. It occurs when scar tissue forms around the knee joint, restricting your range of motion.
Weight Reduction Tools
Post-surgical water retention and swelling reach their peak after around 72 hours. At that time, you may feel and look quite swollen. The swelling should then begin to subside but may not go down completely for several weeks.
Note: Side sleeping is usually an option several weeks into recovery, not immediately after surgery. Always check with your physical therapist or surgeon before trying this position.
If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.
If the weight fluctuation is very rapid (for example, a weight increase of 1-3 kg from one day to the next), it's definitely water, because fat doesn't accumulate that quickly! If it's water retention, swelling is often localized, manifesting as puffiness in the legs, ankles, hands, and abdomen.
Water is more than just a thirst-quencher. It offers various benefits that can aid in weight loss. These include boosting metabolism, suppressing appetite, aiding in detoxification and enhancing exercise performance.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Tips For Losing Weight When You Can't Walk
It's no surprise that the best one-two punch for reducing visceral fat is a combination of exercise and a healthy diet. However, the type of exercise matters, as does how you adjust your diet. “To fuel belly fat burning, you need to build muscle mass, which means increasing resistance exercise,” says Dr. Apovian.
Following an exercise regime can also reduce swelling, increase your range of motion and strengthen your body. Knee replacement exercise recovery regimens often include stretching, pumping your muscles, bending your knees and working your quad. One of the most highly recommended exercises is walking.
Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of protein-rich fluid in any part of the body as a result of malfunction in the lymphatic system. You can be born with it (primary lymphedema) or develop it as a result of damage to the lymphatic system, such as after surgery or infection (secondary lymphedema).
When to Avoid Coffee Before and After Surgery. The recommendation is to avoid regular and decaf coffee for 2 weeks before your surgery and no regular or decaf coffee for 1 month after surgery.