Anyone else experience Weight Gain with long COVID?

Hi Dusty, you might be interested in reading the posts in this discussion:
- Anyone else experience Weight Gain with long COVID? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weight-gain-3/

I had a 20lb weight gain — all in visceral fat — within 3 months of having covid (late August 2022). My normal weight for the past 30 years has been about 180 and suddenly I was at 199.

Seems to be a common issue but doctors aren't taking it seriously.

Yes, I’ve gained 60 pounds in the 6 months since I’ve had Covid. I’ve also been diagnosed with lymphedema which started in my lower extremities 3 weeks to the day after I tested positive for Covid. I’ve been treated for Lymphedema which started in my feet and ankles, eventually travelled up to my calves, and then hit my knees, which really affected mobility. So..I thought the excessive weight gain, mostly belly fat and a spare tire above my belly button that I’ve never had before. I’ve tried the Weight Watchers diet with no decrease. Three weeks ago I started a Lymphedema recommended diet, eliminating sugar, gluten, white flour. I have dropped 3 pounds in 3 weeks. But, I am praying it continues. I’ve never been at this weight before, and am 40 pounds higher than my former highest weight.

I have gained more weight since having Covid in January 2022. I also have lots of inflammation and stuff. I feel like no matter what I do i can’t lose weight.

yes i too have gained since covid, i didn't eat to gain it. i am trying weight watchers, i have lost some but anytime i loose half a pound to a pound..i end up with a 2-3lb gain, that takes a week or more to get that off,,have not figured out why that happens, my body just does not want it off.. and my stomach always feels hard and bloated..what to heck is this virus anyway...

I am 2 years Post COVID from January 2, 2021, an alpha strain survivor. The short answer is yes to weight gain. The advice I want to share is, ditch the ideal of a perfect weight and what you weighed before you had COVID. You survived, you are still healing. Exercise is most likely difficult and the arrogant advice I received of “walk around the block for a couple of days, then walk around the block twice, then 3times.” Duh…I did not lose my IQ from COVID -I could figure out how to increase exercise without a $600 office visit. That was a waste of money for that Dr! As we know, sometimes it is an effort to get up, let alone “walk around the block.”

From my reading, as a non-scientist, I think the weight gain has something to do with the inflammation in the body that COVID causes. That inflammation sticks around after the virus is gone. COVID also causes Central Sensitization Syndrome, which also might be a factor in weight gain. The Central Sensitization Syndrome diagnosis came from my visit/evaluation in the Mayo Long COVID clinic in Rochester MN. Google CSS if you have not learned about it.

My experience is that after two years of treatment and an increase in my stamina through carefully moderated gradual movement, I am finally able to begin to bring my body to a place I feel comfortable with. The Drs will still tell me to lose weight, at least when I forget to forestall all weight discussions with the words “we are not going to discuss weight” and I (kindly) refuse to be weighed unless it directly involves medication prescribing. I still have days I am very tired and I just have to rest. It’s much better but I think this is my new normal.Please give yourself time.

Having shepherded two parents through the end of life, I don’t find that it matters what an “ideal” weight is. Do the best you can and use kind words for yourself. “Thoughtful” “Kind” “Good Aunt” “Good Mom” you choose, You are still yourself, at an “ideal” weight or not.

Yes. I've had a 50lb weight gain since 2020. It was 10 lbs immediately following my first infection. A lot of it is bloating. I see a physical therapist who specializes in lymphatic drainage. She hasn't helped me lose the weight but she does help take care of some of the pressure I feel in my face, head, and abdomen. It obviously doesn't help that with longcovid sometimes you can barely walk anymore (like me), so there is a lot of atrophy as well.

Weight watchers diet was always my go to when my weight occasionally peaked at a certain number. Now I weigh more than I ever have in my life. I thought it was from developing post Covid lymphedema in my lower extremities. But, the weight is a spare tire above my belly button that I’ve never had before, and below my belly button. All through my middle where I’ve not gained there before. Trying the recommended diet for lymphedema. I have dropped 3 pounds in 3 weeks. Praying it stays off and I can keep losing.

I had a lot of bloating until I started eliminating sugar, gluten, white flours 3 weeks ago. I’ve only lost 3 pounds but pray the weight loss continues.