Creatine supplementation & RNY
Here is a previous post I amde on this subject back in December:
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 amounts 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 took 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, with high 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.
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 amounts 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 took 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, with high 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.
BamaBob54 
ROLL TIDE!!!
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/BamaVulcan04/2661045004_3d63fb2244.jpg[/IMG]
[
ROLL TIDE!!! [IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/BamaVulcan04/2661045004_3d63fb2244.jpg[/IMG]
[
Most Active
Recent Topics
