Calling all MUSCLE HEADS....

So I've been cleared by my surgeon for weight lifting a month after having my hernia repair...I'm sure we've got a few gym freaks on here that have already asked their surgeon / nutritionist about supplements....would there be any reason why I couldnt take any of the stuff recommended by my buddy, I am almost 1 year post-op RNY:

cycling some creatine would prob be a good idea also. like 6 weeks on 3 or 4 off. Write on Tj's Wall - Delete

Tj Wisniewski wrote at 11:37pm yesterday hey man, i hope mom does well. with your supplements, you need to get on gluatime. its a powerd form amino acid that is crucial for recovery, and you can actually naturally raise test levels with it. take it 2 times a day pre and post workout. table spoon each time. also you need a free form amino acid. gnc has amino burst 3000, i love it. 3 pills a day and its cheap. do you do omega 3? Gnc has a good chewable, i take 2 per day.

Taking creatine is NOT a good idea, IMO, especially after WLS.  You need PROTEIN to build muscle. Amino acids are the "building blocks" of protein, so they would be helpful.  You also need some carbs to fuel your workouts. Some type of glycogen supplement could also be helpful, but getting in at least 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound of LEAN body weight is the most critical.

Here is a post I made a couple of weeks ago concerning the use of creatine:

Prior to my heart attacks 6 years ago, I was a gym owner and a double-certified personal trainer.  When I was seriously weight training, bodybuilding and powerlifting, I took creatine for a while.  My strength did increase slightly while using it, but the side effects and potential problems were NOT worth the minimal gains to me.  I quit taking it.

Creatine is a cell volumizer - it works by pulling water into the muscle cells.  The theory is that a bigger muscle is a stronger muscle.  Seems reasonable - but creatine's results are short lived.  If you decide to take creatine, you need to cycle it - maybe 4-6 weeks on, then 3-4 weeks off.  Because it draws water and fluids into the muscle cells, it is imperative that you drink enormous amount of water while taking creatine. Otherwise you will become dehydrated. Severe muscle cramping is also common when taking creatine.  I had horrendous cramping in my feet, calves, thighs and arms when I tool creatine.  My workout partner would swell up like a nickel balloon when he took it. He looked like a bloated blimp - very puffy and swollen looking. He too decided it was not worth it and quit taking creatine.

 Also, to be effective, creatine requires sugar to "drive" it into the muscle cell receptors. That is why EAS and other manufacturers sell the pre-mix blends, which excessivce levels of flavored fructose in it.

Taking creatine for too long without stopping can also cause kidney problems and damage. When I owned my gym and was actively training people, I had a client who found this out the hard way. He was a 28 year old state trooper and wanted to bulk up and get stronger. He decided to take creatine to get "bigger". He stayed on creatine for 3 months straight. He ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks with renal failure and  had to undergo dialysis for a while. His kidney specialist advised him that the creatin levels in his kidneys had elevated to the danger level due to the overuse of  creatine. He advised him not to take creatine again, unless he wanted to be on dialysis permanently.

Unfortunately, most of the "bodybuilding supplements" are not regulated by the FDA or any other agency. Too often, little or no real testing is done before they are marketed to the public.  Also, long term effects on the users are not documented or tracked. The actual processes and purity levels of the ingredients and additives is often not closely monitored either.

I would suggest that you do some serious research and even talk to your doctors before taking creatine. Personally, from my own experience and the experience of others I have known, I would pass on the creatine, especially after having WLS.
Just my $.02 worth on creatine.

Thanks Bob...confirms what I thought...I heard about the kidney probs after using Creatine...and don't wanna push my luck considering that I was in kidney failure for over 2 weeks when i had the complications from my surgery...I think i'll just stick to my 3 scoops of whey protein daily...and of course my regular vitamin supplements...

hey Adam...

I have a differnet problem with creatine,,,ir give me

just to let you know...I hda done well with my weight loss, and wehn I and the hernia repair..a I started losing again, I did not know how much discomfort I was in, after the surgery, I was able to be more active..

good luck

I worked out for over 2 years post op and saw very little muscle gain until I followed card fans (and vitalady's) advice, 1 gram of protein per lb of ideal weight, at least 150 grams a day, shooting for 200. I drink 3 protein shakes a day plus eat a lot of protein.....when I started to do that, I saw gains, before that, no gains.

I know some people do lots of suppliments, I'd add some omega 3s, and talk to NOTDAVE about his super strict diet, it seems to have given him some pretty big gains.

Scott

I have no problems with creatine. I take it for 3 weeks, don't take it for 1. That's the cycle. They say your body stops making its own creatine after three weeks of the stuff. I've had many blood tests and kidney and liver function are always good.

Maybe it depends on you or your level of health starting out.

I've never heard of any bad side effects from glutamine, except that you need A LOT of it, like 5 grams.

Best Wishes,

Dave