Here we’ll explore why weight gain often happens after a hysterectomy and what you can do about it. From hormonal shifts to recovery habits, many factors play a role. If you’re gaining weight after surgery, you’re not alone. Nava Health is here to help you feel like yourself again, with expert guidance.
Did you recently have a hysterectomy and are concerned about gaining weight? You’re not alone. Rapid weight gain is a common side effect, especially in the first year after surgery.
Two things make weight gain more likely. If you have a history of being overweight, you’re more likely to gain weight after surgery. Also, if you’re premenopausal and had a radical hysterectomy, you’re at higher risk because removing your uterus, ovaries, and cervix leads to surgical menopause.
Women who naturally go into menopause typically gain around five pounds. So it’s to be expected that if a hysterectomy triggers surgical menopause , you’ll gain about five pounds.
If you’re wondering, “Will I gain weight after a hysterectomy?”, let’s look at why the answer is often “yes.”
Does Hysterectomy Cause Weight Gain?
No matter which type of hysterectomy you have, you’ll have a post-op recovery period during which you need to rest so that your body can heal. If you were active before surgery, the recovery period could cause you to gain some weight. How long recovery takes and what you can do during it depends on the type of hysterectomy you had. For example:
Abdominal hysterectomy: You’ll spend the first 2-3 days in the hospital, but full recovery takes six to eight weeks.
Vaginal or laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH): With a vaginal hysterectomy, you’ll only stay in the hospital for 1-2 days, and recovery may take as little as two weeks.
Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH): LSH is the least invasive surgery and recovery can be as short as six days, but may take up to two weeks.
The hysterectomy recovery period isn’t necessarily a time to worry about your weight. Instead, focus on feeling better and making healthy choices.
After recovery, you may lose the weight you gained. But some women struggle to lose it or even gain more weight. Sadly, weight gain after a hysterectomy can happen without changing your lifestyle or habits.
Why is that?
Removing your uterus changes your hormone production. If your ovaries are also removed, you’ll experience bigger changes, especially in estrogen. These shifts can cause many symptoms, and three of them often lead to weight gain.
All About Hysterectomy Side Effects Weight Gain
Imagine weight gain like a combo plate at a restaurant. A combo plate puts some of your favorite foods on one plate. But this weight gain plate doesn’t come with a taco or chalupa. Instead, it has sleep issues, low energy, and a slower metabolism. This mix of symptoms makes it harder to maintain your weight or lose it.
Sleep issues
When estrogen drops, falling asleep gets harder. And when progesterone is off, you may wake up from hot flashes and night sweats.
Low energy
Lower estrogen causes low energy, made worse by poor sleep. When you feel sluggish, you’re less likely to want to exercise.
Slower metabolism
Bad sleep and low energy slow down your metabolism. When your metabolism slows, your body burns less energy and stores more fat, especially around your waist.
Unfortunately, when you gain weight after a hysterectomy, it’s not just your waistline that gets bigger. Fat also builds up around your internal organs.
How to Lose Weight After a Total Hysterectomy
After a total hysterectomy, eating well and staying active are key to avoiding weight gain. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low in saturated fats. Aim for 75-150 minutes of exercise each week. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can also help rebalance hormones, especially estrogen, which can affect weight.
Reducing chronic stress is important too, as stress can lead to overeating. Try cutting down on unnecessary tasks and practicing stress-reduction activities like meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi. These steps can help you manage your weight and feel your best after surgery.
Hysterectomy and Weight Gain
When it comes to losing weight, sometimes doing the basics by yourself isn’t enough – especially after a major surgery like a hysterectomy that affects your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Having a carefully formulated post-op plan can help keep you on track with your weight after a hysterectomy.
And don’t worry. There’s still hope if you’ve already had surgery and weight is already a concern.
At Nava, we understand the complexity of issues affecting women post-hysterectomy. Therefore, we do not focus on treating symptoms. Instead, we use a sophisticated diagnostic approach to identify the root cause of the problems. We then develop a personalized plan to get you back to feeling like you but at 100%.
How to Lose Weight Fast After Hysterectomy?
It’s common for women to notice changes in their weight after a hysterectomy. If you’ve gained 20 pounds after a hysterectomy, know you’re not alone in this experience. Many women find their metabolism slows down after surgery, which can lead to gradual weight gain over time. The good news is you can take steps to increase your metabolism after hysterectomy. Get the support you need from Nava today. Together, we will create a plan to help you manage your weight after hysterectomy.
The Nava Method: The Nava 5
The NAVA Method is the perfect approach to managing or losing weight after a hysterectomy because The NAVA 5 addresses:
- Hormone Balance & Sexual Health
- Stress Management & Life Balance
- Healthy Weight & Digestion
- Inflammation Control
- Restorative Sleep
NAVA medical practitioners will customize an evidence-based vitality plan to address any imbalances and the root cause of your symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can certain medications after surgery cause weight gain too?
Yes. Some post-surgical medications—such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and hormone therapies—can contribute to weight gain. These medications may lead to fluid retention, hormonal shifts, or changes in your metabolism. Water retention can also lead to bloating, which makes you feel heavier even if your actual weight hasn’t changed much.
Some medications can also stimulate appetite or lead to fatigue, which reduces activity levels. At Nava Health, we evaluate your full medication list and overall wellness to find solutions that support weight loss while keeping you comfortable during recovery.
Does the type of food I eat after surgery affect how much weight I gain?
Yes. Some post-surgical medications—such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and hormone therapies—can contribute to weight gain. These medications may lead to fluid retention, hormonal shifts, or changes in your metabolism. Water retention can also lead to bloating, which makes you feel heavier even if your actual weight hasn’t changed much.
Some medications can also stimulate appetite or lead to fatigue, which reduces activity levels. At Nava Health, we evaluate your full medication list and overall wellness to find solutions that support weight loss while keeping you comfortable during recovery.
Can not drinking enough water after surgery lead to weight gain?
Yes, dehydration can actually cause your body to retain water, which shows up as temporary weight gain. Not drinking enough water may also affect digestion and slow metabolism. Staying hydrated helps flush out toxins, supports energy levels, and reduces bloating. After surgery, aim to drink water regularly—even small sips add up. Hydration is one of the simplest ways to support your body post-hysterectomy.
How does stress from surgery affect my body’s ability to lose weight?
Stress plays a major role in weight gain and retention. Surgery, both the procedure and the recovery, can elevate cortisol levels, your body’s primary stress hormone. High cortisol makes your body more likely to store fat, especially around your midsection. It can also lead to cravings and disrupted sleep. At Nava Health, we help you manage stress with techniques like mindfulness, breathwork, and restorative sleep support—key components of our hormone and weight loss programs.
Will weight gain be different if I keep my ovaries during surgery?
Yes, keeping your ovaries may reduce the severity of hormonal changes after a hysterectomy. When your ovaries remain, your body continues producing some estrogen, which helps stabilize mood, sleep, and metabolism. However, some women still experience shifts that lead to weight gain. Whether you had a partial or total hysterectomy, we assess your hormone levels to create a personalized plan that supports balance and weight management.
Is there a difference in weight gain for younger women versus older women after a hysterectomy?
Age can influence how your body responds after surgery. Younger women may notice more significant weight changes if they enter surgical menopause abruptly due to ovary removal. Older women who were already close to or in natural menopause may experience fewer dramatic shifts. Regardless of age, factors like activity level, stress, nutrition, and sleep matter most. At Nava, we tailor your care based on your age, health history, and lifestyle to help you feel your best.
You’ll have a roadmap and all the support you need to manage your weight and live your life at 100%. Schedule an appointment today!
A Medical Director, and one of the first physicians to join the Nava Health & Vitality Center, Dr. Douglas Lord has made significant contributions to our Center and its founding principles. Dr. Lord has helped develop and implement the Nava Method™—Nava’s proprietary approach to total body wellness. He has also been instrumental in liaising with other expert practitioners to successfully implement Nava’s range of therapies, treatments, and products.