IV fluid retention

[BelliniButterfly]

I've been in hospital and over the past 2 days received 8 x 500ml bags of IV fluid. I'm at home now looking puffy and bloated as to be expected. How long does it take for the excess fluid to be flushed from your system? I've been on a weight loss journey and to see a 7lb gain on the scales is disheartening although I know it is obviously the extra fluid. Any experiences of how long this takes to resolve would be appreciated.

The peripheral oedema/bloating won’t be just due to the volume of iv fluids. How long your fluid balance & distribution takes to sort itself out will depend on what the problem was in the first place, your nutrition and electrolyte balance, how well your kidneys work and a whole bunch of other things. It may be pretty quick or it may take a while. Best bet would probably to stop weighing yourself and concentrate on recovery!

Honestly for now just ignore your weight and focus on getting better.

So I was in with dehydration, low kidney function and low potassium

Your body will hold on to the water after being dehydrated, and potassium helps with water balance so that having been low won't help. It may seem counter intuitive but you probably need to drink more. I am chronically dehydrated due to bladder issues and retain up to half a stone of water day to day. I can sympathise it makes you feel so gross and wobbly.