Can mastectomy cause weight gain?

Mastectomy is a surgery that removes breast tissue, either partially or entirely. The procedure is usually carried out to treat breast cancer or as a preventive measure for those at high risk of developing the condition.

One question frequently asked by women who undergo mastectomy relates to weight gain. Does this surgery lead to weight gains? Or are diet and exercise the only key factors? Keep scrolling, let’s find out.

Understanding What Causes Weight Gain

Before delving into whether mastectomy can cause weight gain, it’s crucial first to understand what causes it in general(1).

Weight gain happens when you take in more calories than your body needs. The excess calories convert into fat and accumulate around different parts of the body, such as thighs and belly.

Some common reasons for weight gain include:

  • Overeating
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Hormones (e.g., pregnancy)
  • Medication side-effects
  • Sleep habits

Now that we’re on the same page about what leads to gaining extra pounds let’s move on.

Factors That Influence Weight After Mastectomy

Several factors could contribute to changes in one’s body after undergoing any surgical procedure: here are some contributing factors specific to having undergone a mastectomy(2) :

Changes In Diet And Lifestyle Habits

After treating cancerous cells through mastectomies, doctors encourage patients always to improve their daily routine routine towards better living standards so that their whole life regime can be changed positively: they might have switched diets or adapting food preferences resulting from desire healthier eating patterns etc…

It wouldn’t come off surprising if after undergoing a challenging period chemo sessions/painful surgeries; there comes with it dietary switch-pensations leading focusing on healthy nutrition intake pursuing physical fitness and wellness workout routines becoming physically active regularly — all helping cope better long-term recovery process…

Reduced Breast Size

Mastectomy entails the removal of breast tissues, which means that patients no longer have the same amount of breast fat as they did before(3) . This change could affect and be noticed in body measurements. For instance, if you used to wear a bra size 40C pre-mastectomy and go down to a 38B after surgery, then your cup-size will decrease resulting in more noticeable changes.

Hormonal Changes

Breasts are mainly composed of fatty tissue with mammary glands producing milk when nursing. Mammary glands are crucial for lactation; hormonal changes can lead to changing mammal gland activity frequency. Women who undergo mastectomy might become estrogen deficient due removed ovaries acting up unnormal levels leading: some women’s hormones influencing weight gain(4)

Can Mastectomies Cause Weight Gain?

From what we’ve covered here today it wouldn’t seem fair saying whether or not mastectomies directly translate into an individual gaining extra pounds(5). Everyone is unique – several factors contribute towards deciding maintaining/stabilizing anyone’s body mass such age/metabolism/general health/medications/& lifestyle choices… There are many different variables considered/assessment performed on recovery programs depending on each case specificity nutritional plans/movement therapies/different medications(like hormone replacements)..that influence overall wellness adjustment…

The Bottom Line

It’s essential always considering all options regarding how to maintain good health practices throughout life-ranging experiences like undergoing major cancer treatment/surgery regimes .. Such huge transitions may come hand-in-hand with changes towards hormonal metabolism/bodily physical abilities-difficulties exerted during post-surgery healing-periods (with varying duration-time frames matching severity diagnosed conditions/etc.) Nonetheless,it would help reducing risks by working together with physicians/family/support groups experts/other practitioners enjoying life ahead full potential without letting hard times slow them down.

As you have seen in this article, it’s not black and white whether mastectomies automatically lead to weight gain. However, the factors discussed above may influence changes in one’s body composition after surgery.

References

  1. WebMD (2020). Understanding calorie balance.Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/calories-burned-what-everyone-needs-know
  2. Cleveland Clinic(2016).Weight Gain and Breast Cancer Surgery: What You Need To Know.Retrieved from:https://health.clevelandclinic.org/weight-gain-breast-cancer-surgery-need-know/
  3. MedlinePlus(n.d.). Mastectomy.Recovered from ;https://medlineplus.gov/mastectomy.html
    4.Breast Cancer Care (n.d.) Losing Weight After Breast Surgery Retrieved From :https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/living-beyond-breast-cancer/losing-weight-after-product/treatment
  4. National Library of Medicine(2021) New Weights,Ideas,body Images following mastectomy;Exploring correlates of weight gain intentions among breast cancer survivors.Hayes JF.et al.Retrieved From:https//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30613991-duciol

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