It makes sense, but it's something I've never thought about. In order to heal, my body is burning through tons of calories.
So, I've been eating the same amount I normally do, and I'm normally pretty active. But, I've been losing weight, even though I'm doing far less physical activity.
I found some sketchy sources, but this one looks pretty legit:
https://www.hss.edu/files/Nutrition_for_Healing.pdf
It turns out, I'm burning more calories than I'd normally burn - even though I'm normally pretty active.
That explains why I'm losing weight. I've lost like 12 pounds! Well, that's more like 14 pounds, 'cause I have about 2 pounds of titanium in my hip.
I haven't actually confirmed this with a physician yet, but the web and some not-very-sketchy sites seem to confirm it.
It makes sense. I just never really thought of it before.
So, if you want to lose some weight, just get into a wreck and break some bones!
I'm going to increase my caloric intake to about 3,500 calories a day and see where that gets me.
Wow, Buddha. That's a lot to unpack.
:-)
I had a total knee replacement not quite two years ago. After several meniscus surgeries like the one you mentioned there was almost none left and the bones started grinding into each other until the tibial plateau cracked like a safety-glass windshield. (Pain scale of 10, for sure.)
Rehab is key, as are the stretching exercises they gave you. Keep at it and you'll continue to see improvement. I'm amazed at the progress you seem to have made already!
I'm normally about 190 pounds. After the surgery and initial weight loss I started to put on quite a bit of weight because I just couldn't be as active as I was. I bought a rowing machine, started eating better and drinking less booze, and now I'm back down to 200. Still some weight to go but I'll get there.