Hi everyone! This is my first time visiting this board!! I have a question regarding muscle building. Ok, last month, I saw an exercise physiologist. I had the underwater weigh done & he told me how much lean muscle mass I had, etc. Well, he told me that due to the fact that I'm at a calorie deficit, at this time, I am unable to build muscle. He said that you need excess calories in order to build muscle. So, then I talked to my brother about this (he lifts weights). My brother totally disagrees with the exercise physiologist. My brother says that you need protein to build muscle--calories have nothing to do with it!! The reason why I want to get this straightened out is because I'd like to build some muscle. I definitely want to tone up & have been working on that. I don't want a body builder's body BUT I want to be stronger. I want to work on my upper body....I'm VERY weak in that area. As it is, I can't even do a regular push-up!!! I've been attending the YMCA's bodypump class 3 days a week since the beginning of January and I'm still not able to increase my weights! In fact, in some areas, it seems like I maybe getting weaker!! So, is the exercise physiologist correct & I can look forward to building muscle once I'm done losing weight & am maintaining, or is my brother correct & maybe I need to up the protein more? Thanks everyone!!! Jill

YEAY.. Thanks Val. Haha.. I can't wait to be a loser!! I just came back from an intro to pilates demo. I've done a few classes before but now have my co-workers interested in also doing them. The instructor is a friend of mine. She is doing classes right where we work in a gym that we have located on our campus during lunch. I am going to get a few in and then while I rehab will just join in for the breathing exercises at first. Once my surgeon clears me, I plan to ease into a more serious practice. It should be a good supplement to my regular workouts and yoga.

Had my pre-op consult with my surgeon yesterday. It went really well. He has a great personality and does a good history and physical. The initial surgeon I went to didn't even bother examining me and we talked for 10 minutes, if that. Dr. Kligman took over 30 minutes and did everything .. talked about the procedure, his follow up, the program, changing habits, diet, answered lots of questions, asked even more questions, etc. He made sure to get my exact BP, examined my tummy, muscle testing, checked my legs, respiration, gastric sounds, etc. The end result: he says I am a perfect candidate for the LAP RNY at least looking on the outside and based on my medical history, age and fat distribution (carry my weight low aka BABY GOT BACK... err and thigh.. and well you know)!! The ports he makes for the LAP are all above the belly button and I guess the fat is not enough where it would give him a hard time with his instruments. Not enough fat.. WELL THAT IS A FIRST! I also met with the RD, Mary Beth. She was very nice as well. She gave me a 30 page book to study with all the diet stages and requirements. They also said depending on my workouts they will work with me to make sure I am getting in the necessary nutrition. I told her the 60-80grams of protein will probably be great the first few months but that I had some concerns that if I lift really heavy and my body can tolerate longer workouts if that would be enough calories. She again said they will continue to evaluate me in follow up and work with me to get the right levels. She also said no protein shakes after the inital phases and stress the importance of eating real food instead of supplements. I told her that if I workout heavy then I would like to still stick with a post workout shake. She was ok with that. The diet he gives is really realistic and pretty much what I expected. The 3rd phase of regular food starts on the 7th week and includes pretty much everything but in smaller portions - no drinking for 2 years (which isn't really an issue for me), avoid tough meats, bran, granola and other high reisdue foods. No celery. Avoid empty calories from high fat foods and concentrated sweets. Sample menu for regular calorie controlled diet is 1100-1200 calories, 64grams of protein, 106g of carbs. I was kind of shocked just how many foods that I wouldn't normally eat that were on the list but considered ok as long as I maintained portion control - any pasta, any cheese, etc. The documentation says no caffine but I was told 1 cup a day is ok.. no vente sugar free skim milk latte from starbucks but I can do a small one. She really stresses fiber from whole grain breads, cereals, fruits, cooked veggies as well after I get my protein in. I think my greatest challenge is going to be slowing down and chewing the food so that I make sure everything counts. I am practicing now and as of today trying to write down start and finish times for my meals. I think it will help make me more aware of my eating too. He also said that he doesn't require that I do a pre-op diet over the next few weeks but that it can't hurt for me (or for him) if I drop 10-20lbs. I told Dana no more going out to eat for a while. If I prep all my meals in advance I am sure will do well. Just have to stop being lazy and making excuses not to cook or get healthy meals that I can heat up quickly. Next steps.. Let the pre-op tests begin. Calling them today to schedule all of his tests. He also wants me to get an updated pap and see my gyn which I am dreading. I hope everything is ok! I've not had a period since Thanksgiving of '04 so something is definatly off. Hopfully it is just related to weight and not some sort of other issues. If it is, I will just take care of it. I'm sure Tammy can related to this one!! =) I do have to do an EGD and assorted blood work. It was that or some other scope with a stomach biopsy to test for something he said.. can't remember what it was. Also need to get my gall bladder checked to see if it needs to come out. Date is still on for April 19th - 35 days to go!! (oh jeez.. as usualy I wrote a book.. sorry guys and gals)

Sooooooo glad to hear you are doing ok Tammy. Sounds like you had a little roller coaster ride in the hospital. MY BP sometimes spikes with anethesia as well. Get some rest and feel better soon!! If you get bored shoot me a msg. I should be online today.

Just checking in and letting you know I had surgery. They cut me open and pulled out left ovary with all the trimmings(ewww!!!) LOL and my uterus. Had to leave my cervix though. I am on the mend. I had some problems coming out of surgery. My BS was 271! I could not come out from under the anesthesia! My BP was a little high too. 220?/132. I never have a problem with my BP. Then they were giving me shots of insulin the 3 days I was in the hosp. cause of BS problems! Now I am on actos. Anyone know about it?? Anyhow, I now have my gyn and my endo. Doctors writing necessity letters to the ins. co. Hope it works. Please keep me in your prayers. I was told that the wls wasn't covered because of my small business in MD but I was told if I could prove it necessary they may cover it. I will get on in a couple of days. I need to lay down. They gave me good pain drugs!!! Dilaudid! Good stuff. anyhow, ya'll have a great night! Tammy