TomCruzMomShoes

Hey dudes, I'm 3 weeks post op at the moment and anticipate being cleared to start lifting weights in the next week (hopefully) or few weeks. I've been going to the gym and just doing walking for now, but mostly getting my body adjusted to getting up and actually going to the gym before work. SO my questions: 1. What is the best type of weight training post op or what has been successful for any guys in here? I've worked out in the past and am familiar with several styles of working out like alternating muscle groups (i.e. back and bi's, chest and tri's, etc.). I'm also familiar with full body workouts a few days a week, compound exercises, light weights higher reps, lower reps with higher weights, etc. Basically I have a basic understanding of HOW to workout, just not sure WHAT to focus on, especially considering the limited calories? 2. Speaking of calories, I've been recording my macros, getting between 60 and 80 grams of protein, and around 600-800 calories. I'm sure I need to push that up a bit once I start eating regular foods, but what would be a good goal to aim for in the future? I am currently 265, 5'8", 40 years old. 3. Should I be focusing on weights AT ALL? Or should my efforts be focused on cardio, then weight training later? I should probably mention my goals: obviously to lose weight, and just "get healthy". I'm not trying to get super bulky or win a strongman competition, but I certainly wanna develop SOME muscle tone as I lose the weight. Thanks in advance!

I took off 7 working days (Thurs and Fri, then the whole next week). Honestly, working a desk job, you can go back after a few days BUT: - you will be tired, whether you work or not. Most people I speak to or read about say they have low energy for a few weeks. Not like low energy, but like "LOW, I need to lay the hell down wherever I am" energy LOL. Doesn't matter how non-strenuous the job is, staying awake may be an issue. - I personally had some soft stool issues the first few days (not comfortable dealing with that at work). Other people say they had the opposite in the first week or 2 post op My recommendation? At minimum, take off a few more days. Maybe go back to work mid-week like Wed or Thurs if you can. Or maybe do shorter days if you can work that out? That tired-ness is really annoying!

I had/have the poop issue, it really sucks and am still managing it. My surgeon recommended Colace daily, and I also take a probiotic which was recommended by someone like 5 years out of their surgery. A few times I realize I haven't gone in a while, I take a Smooth Move tea to help move things along. I've done pretty well with that combo so far. Hydration is also a HUGE part of it, the more you drink the easier you will go. Good luck, and congrats on your AMAZING success so far (don't sell those 18lbs short!).

Thanks for sharing, takes some bravery considering some of the police I've seen on these forums. Congrats on your sobriety as well!

You and I had surgery the same day. I am 100% allowed to try red meat, so not sure what the issue is with the dude that had some steak. Like you, I haven't had any issues tolerating anything, although I haven't tried steak or pork yet. Any chicken/seafood/turkey etc goes down really easily. I can only eat about 3oz of protein at a time before I get full (lump in throat, burp, or sneeze are my signs). My surgeon said not to worry, it's GOOD that we can tolerate stuff without issues, we just gotta stay on plan. (I still do the chewables, I HATE big pills lol)

My surgeon has his patients do a 14 day post op clear liquid diet (do not miss it at all). SF Popsicles, jello, tea, and protein water (I did Isopure, get it on Amazon) is pretty much what I lived on. As far as broth, I did something "weird" that worked for me - I bought really inexpensive chicken/meat pieces, seasoned them and cooked them in a broth with onion, garlic etc. like a soup then strained the broth out and threw out the solids. Tasted WAAAY better than store bought broth. It can get expensive and wasteful, which is why I would bought the cheapest chicken pieces I could find (a small amount will do), but it added "something" to the plain broth that made it more palatable, maybe some fat content or something, not sure. You can do a pretty large batch at one time. All of this aside, you will be weak no matter what, and likely will be for a few weeks. It will pass, the first few weeks are the worst. I am only 6 weeks out and around 3 weeks I got a HUGE boost of energy, so just fight through it for now. If you feel horrible at any point, make sure you speak to your surgeon, and always follow his plan, no matter how much you wanna do your own thing! Good luck!

Awesome! So I'm already pretty much on my way. Getting back to lifting has been great, although I do feel (understandably) weak. Not in a "I feel like I'm going to fall over sense", more in the "****, this 15lbs I used to lift like nothing is heavy as hell!" LOL

Awesome job dude! You look great! I JUST started hitting the weights yesterday after being cleared by my surgeon (only 5 weeks post-op). I've been in the gym 7 days a week for 3 weeks now doing cardio, and yesterday I did a few back exercises for the 1st time (lat pull downs, rows, cable stuff, etc). I planned to do back and bis but I didn't manage my time enough and just ended up doing back. For now, my plan is Mon chest and tris / Wed back and bis / Fri legs and shoulders +30 minutes of cardio, and 45-60 minutes of cardio on the non-weight days (perhaps taking Sundays off, not 100% sure yet). My concern, which I brought up to my surgeon, was the caloric intake. I only eat 600-800 calories at this point, and I understand I won't be able to build muscle as if I ate 2000+ calories, but I WOULD like to tone up while I lose AND not pass out (lol). He said to take it light while I heal, and not to worry about passing out. I guess we'll see... Sorry for the long ass response....

I am 40 and am 5 weeks post-op. No complications so far (besides, like everyone else, trying to pass a stone where you shouldn't). Just had my 1 month post op appt earlier today and doc says I'm doing well, I feel excellent, energetic, and have had tons of NSV's in a really short period of time. To the original poster - my 1 week post op appt was a post surgery class that included about 10 other people that were also 1 week post op- I would say at least 7 or 8 out of those 11 people were 40+. I wouldn't worry too much about the age thing.

Come to think of it, then everyone would just think you're from Buffalo lol

Go all-in and change your screenname to Buffalodude...

That's the Ricotta Bake - it's SUPER simple, enjoy!

I did Riccotta Bake. I'm on week 2 of puree and it's still my go-to meal.

Awesome! I'm following the post and see you're killing it. I guess I'll start light and work my way up.

I'll certainly keep that in mind!

I'm 3 weeks post op and my program cleared me for "exercise" at 2 weeks post-op. The surgeon suggests AND recommends just doing brisk walking or elliptical, but nothing too strenuous until 4-6 weeks. Remember your calorie intake is pretty low and your body probably not used to it yet so don't go crazy. I walk 45 to 60 minutes on the treadmill every morning and I've done well with that until he tells me I can do more. BUT....I would call the surgeon's office and ask anyways, just to be sure.

Congrats!

Congrats and good luck!

IF there's an aftertaste or some sort of taste, the Crystal Light drowns it out. I did try half a scoop in a guacamole mini cup and did taste the protein a bit. But either way it doesn't bother me.

So I think someone on Instagram helped me with this - they suggested and I bought unflavored protein (I bought Unjury brand but there's tons) and I add it to my water bottle with a packet of crystal light. That way I am getting in protein and liquid simultaneously. Since I started doing that, I haven't had a problem hitting my protein goal of 60-70 grams per day. One scoop is 21 grams, I normally just do one scoop per day, 1/2 scoop in 2 bottles of water. That 21 grams is HUGE, since I already get 30 from a protein shake then the rest from whatever foods I eat. FYI I am 19 days post-op, on day 5 of my 2 week puree diet, and I personally do not have any issues getting my fluids in as I drink pretty much all day. There's literally a 32 ounce water bottle not 6 inches from my hand as I type this. Hope things get easier!

I had the same concerns. It's not so much "concerned when they are doing good". For me, it was HAMMERED into me that I'd struggle with liquids and day one I was drinking water in amounts I could before surgery. So the questions become "Am I doing well or am I missing restriction I'm supposed to have."

All of these! Also Greek yogurt has a ton of protein as far as bang for your buck. I bought protein pudding off Amazon, the brand is MHP and they are pretty good to snack on. A bit expensive but worth it. You can scramble 2 eggs with one tablespoon of milk and throw that in a food processor to puree as well, it makes 2 servings but if you miss eggs it's ok (consistency is weird but I enjoyed them). Add cheese if you'd like. Refried beans are good. And my favorite meal has been the Ricotta Bake. Do yourself a favor and make this in a cupcake pan and they are a great 4oz meals with good protein and tastes great. I'm currently 4 days into my 2 week puree phase so lemme know if you have any questions! Pinterest has TONS of ideas for pureed meals as well. @Yessican

Agreed that Baritastic is awesome. So many positives including it syncs with Fitbit, and your surgeon MAY have a code which when used, puts their entire specific program right in the app. My surgeon has a code and I can look up my entire program. I attached what it looks like for me when I wanna look up info or even contact my nutritionist directly. It has recipes and everything. It's literally a one stop app for weight, exercise, macros, etc. P.S. no, I don't own stock in the app lol

Ah gotcha - yea I bought Unjury unflavored but haven't tried it yet. I've been getting about 50 the past 3 days, but 30 of that is from a premier shake. I can't eat too much either - I guess I'll start putting the protein powder to use. Thanks for the feedback!

Hey @KentuckySteve Glad youre doing well. I was sleeved on 11/7 and just started my puree diet this Thursday. I'm curious how you're getting so much protein in, I do a shake daily but I can seem to get enough from foods. Are you adding protein powder? I did buy an unflavored one to start mixing into foods but haven't started yet. Water isn't an issue at all but I cant seem to eat more than 2 to 3 ounces at a time and it limits my calories and protein.