Surgery and Strength loss - ThinnerTimes

BBD · 05-20-2006, 04:28 AM

A serious topic that I haven’t read on the board.

As a male, body strength is very important to me.
I am just over 2 months post opps and I have noticed a loss of over all body strength including my upper body.

I am into archery and had the ‘pull’ on my bow set at 70 pounds.
I recently took the bow out to shoot a few arrows and found I could barely pull the String back. Last summer I could shoot the same bow weight for over an hour.

Is strength loss a common occurrence with weight loss surgery?
It was not covered during my pre surgery classes.

MiladyB · 05-20-2006, 08:28 AM

I don't know for sure I only know my own experience. I know I didn't get back my strength and stamina until I was about 3 months out. You have to remember that you had major surgery. As a nurse I know that you will always lose muscle strength when you don't use your muscles every day. You should be able to build it back up again without a lot of difficultly.

You're doing great!

coptergirl · 05-20-2006, 09:14 AM

I would tend to think the same as Beth - even being in the hospital for only a week, the hardest thing I did durning the day for a couple of weeks after I got home was to take a shower. Something I do automatically every day became something I had to rest up for and rest after. The stamina does return - you will be back pulling 70 pounds for more than an hour in no time

bridgetgirl · 05-20-2006, 07:29 PM

Im over 2 years out and my upper body strength is not what it was pre WLS. I havent even been able to pick up my kids since my initial 60 pound weightloss. im sure with routine strengthening that would change... I dont do that, but if I did Im sure I would only get stronger!

TypeR0149 · 05-20-2006, 09:25 PM

are you weight lifting?

I am 2 months out too, and have gained a little strengh, but I have been in the gym for about 5 1/2 weeks now.

I dont know alot, but I think that being offensive and trying to build muscle will be the best way of not losing it.

Mike

VanessaSFL · 05-21-2006, 06:29 AM

I am 14 months out and very weak.I have not gained back any strengh.I take my vitamins but I am very deficeint in Iron Levels *no meat*

Heck,I am still waiting for my B12 to kick in...I think It's b12 that I take for energy.

I think that most people feel tons of energy,I am just different.

V

Loove · 05-21-2006, 09:45 AM

Directly after the surgery you lose both fat, liquids and muscles. To prevent this (to lose more muscles), you need to eat, eat, and eat..real food and alot proteins.

for example..if you exercise, see to that you eat before and after, so the body takes it´s energy from the food to burn fat. If you eat to little the body still have to take it´s energy from somewere and if there is no food it will take energy from the muscles to burn fat. With the result in loosing pounds from both muscles and fat.

Hope you understand how i mean, english is my second language.

Lovisa

chrisie_92020 · 05-21-2006, 09:48 AM

OK if were talking about energy oh my I have tons of it and when I start feeling like I'm really tired most of the time I get up and go for a walk and get my energy back, It's a game my body likes to play with me, now if it's strength. I to am not nearly as strong as I was prior to my surgery and I would attribute that to probably muscle loss, and all I can say is Protein, Protein, Protein and maybe some weight lifting. Not to get off subject but does anyone know how to keep from losing all of your butt, man every time I look at mine It's getting smaller and smaller.

Gina in NY · 05-21-2006, 12:25 PM

I think maybe you're worrying too soon. My doctor has told me he doesn't want me going back to the heavy weight lifting until after two months. (I work out pretty hard)

I know for me, even as a pre-op - if I miss two weeks at the gym and try to start with the amount of weight I was lifting when I left, there is no way I can do it. It takes a while to get back to that level. If you add to this the fact that you just had major surgery, eat very little right now and haven't lifted your bow for two months, it makes perfect sense! You need to give it time and keep building back up slowly. And heck - I'm a strong woman and only pull a 35 pound bow, so I'm impressed anyway! (Nice custom recurve from Canada - very sexy - I might have to post a photo of her)

My advice is to start slowly, do eat something right after you work out so that you can build back those muscles and if things don't improve in a few weeks, ask your doctor about it.

Good luck!

Doc J · 05-22-2006, 08:12 AM

I started back on weights a month after surgery. I had lost of my pre-surgery strength. After 2 months of weight training, 3 times a week, I was back to my pre-surgery strength levels. Now, 6 months after surgery I am stronger than prior to surgery!