Having surgery while following the Code Red Lifestyle is something that panics a lot of people.
In addition to being subjected to hospital food (which includes horrible options like soda, sugar, and grains) and possibly “doctor’s orders” to eat in a way that does not align with Code Red, surgery can cause several pounds of weight gain.
The great news is, that weight gain is 100% temporary, and there are things you can do to minimize it and stay on track!
The reason your body gains weight after surgery is simply that surgery, even though it’s mean to heal you, still causes trauma to your body.
And your body’s natural, normal response to physical trauma and injury is to hold on to water while it’s healing.
Medical staff may also give you intravenous fluids, vitamins, or medication, and those can add a few pounds of fluid as well.
Some oral medication, or medication administered via a syringe, may also have same effect, depending on what medication it is.
So what can you do to get all that weight off, plus ensure you don’t gain any “extra?”
The first step is to NOT PANIC.
You see, once your body’s healed to a certain point, it’ll start dropping that water weight very quickly.
Everyone’s different and it depends on the surgery, but I’ve had Rebels drop their surgery water and medication weight as early as two weeks after surgery.
The next thing to do is follow your Code Red eating and rules as closely as your circumstances and doctor’s orders permit.
Using the fact you’re hospitalized as an excuse to go off plan can add several additional pounds you’ll then have to lose in addition to your surgery weight. It’s not worth it!
Plus sugar and grains are highly inflammatory and will actually slow down how long it takes your body to heal.
Bring your own food, or ask friends and family to bring you some. Talk to the hospital employee who takes your meal orders and see what can be done to accommodate you.
If your doctor insists you eat a certain way for “medical reasons” and it doesn’t align with Code Red, well, I’m not gonna recommend going against your doctor’s orders in situations like this.
What I will say is that if this happens to you, remember this: Once you’re healed up, you can go right back to Code Red eating and continue your weight loss journey.
Follow the steps I’ve outlined here and surgery will be, at most, a detour on your path to weight loss and healing with the Code Red Lifestyle. I’ve had dozens of Rebels reach their goal in spite of surgery, and so can you!