9 Weeks Post-Op & Muscle Loss Question

[Mkak 251]

Hi everyone!

9 weeks PO today (8/15 surgery date)

SW: 288

CW: 236.2

Need some advice from you folks. I'm trying to kill it in the gym 5 days a week with about a 60/40 split weights/cardio. Don't get me wrong I am very grateful the scale is going down quickly, but I'm very nervous I am losing more muscle than fat. Is there any way to monitor this other than a fancy scale (or hardcore bod pod testing, etc.)? If no, anyone recommend a good scale that is trusted to be fairly accurate? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

First picture is a few days after surgery and the second was taken yesterday. I CAN'T WAIT to feel comfortable in something other than all black

[sophiepants 489]

You fantastic By the way!! Keep up the great work!! I don't have an answer for you. (sorry ) I'm 8 wks out yesterday and am wanting to add strength training to my week also. I'm listing for anyone who wants to give us wisdom!

[Vickybli 64]

They should be able to messure your body fat and lean muscle at your gym. Anyway some muscle loss is inevitable when you lose so much weight. The only way to minimise this is by eating enough Protein - if you don't your body will just use your own - and to do strength training, which you are already doing so you're on a good track.

By the way you're looking great. Keep up the good work.

[raven123 97]

Mysisterthedoctor tells me I need to get 90 grams of Protein a day in to keep from losing muscle.

She had the surgery too and has researched the ins and outs of it. She is doing fantastic and I'm doing very well.

[EricaVSGJourney 64]

Great that you're thinking about this! Way to go!!

First thing - try to select a gym routine that you can commit to in the long term. If you go from little/moderate working out to the regular gym rat, you might burn out. I know I would!! I incrementally increased my workouts. I started swimming with a Master's swim team about 2 months post-op, and did 3 workouts a week for about 9-10 months. I got bored, so I switched to spin classes at the gym. LOVE spin! Even got certified as a spin instructor.

All that said... I lost about 7-10 lbs of muscle mass out of the 90 lbs I have lost in total. At 5'3" and about 140 lbs @ 21-21.5% body fat, that's okay. I kept my Protein intake anywhere from 90-130 gms per day (although I haven't officially tracked in a long time).

Focus on how you feel. What makes you feel strong? What energizes you and connects you to you body? If you get the Protein in and do the exercises that make your body feel good, everything will fall into place healthfully.

Many hugs and well wishes to you!!

[EricaVSGJourney 64]

Sorry!! I should add that I have a body fat measurement scale at home, plus my surgeon has a really fancy/expensive one. His is more accurate (at $2K per scale), so I rely on his numbers as the accurate one. :-)

[Mkak 251]

Great that you're thinking about this! Way to go!! First thing - try to select a gym routine that you can commit to in the long term. If you go from little/moderate working out to the regular gym rat' date=' you might burn out. I know I would!! I incrementally increased my workouts. I started swimming with a Master's swim team about 2 months post-op, and did 3 workouts a week for about 9-10 months. I got bored, so I switched to spin classes at the gym. LOVE spin! Even got certified as a spin instructor. All that said... I lost about 7-10 lbs of muscle mass out of the 90 lbs I have lost in total. At 5'3" and about 140 lbs @ 21-21.5% body fat, that's okay. I kept my Protein intake anywhere from 90-130 gms per day (although I haven't officially tracked in a long time). Focus on how you feel. What makes you feel strong? What energizes you and connects you to you body? If you get the Protein in and do the exercises that make your body feel good, everything will fall into place healthfully. Many hugs and well wishes to you!![/quote']

Thanks, Erica! I am psychotic about getting in 80g of protein a day, but looks like I should up that 10-20g.

I want to be a runner SO badly, so trying to build up my stamina now.

Your stats are amazing BTW! 21% body fat would make me the happiest girl in the world! I'm going to check with my surgeon tomorrow to see if they have any fancy scale! Thanks again!

[Mkak 251]

Mysisterthedoctor tells me I need to get 90 grams of Protein a day in to keep from losing muscle. She had the surgery too and has researched the ins and outs of it. She is doing fantastic and I'm doing very well.

Thanks, raven! Religious about getting in 80g currently, so I know I can do 90! Thank you for the tip!

[Kennedy 100]

I get 90 g of Protein in Protein Drinks. With food, I usually average around 130+.