Ketones

Any of you tested your ketone levels with ketostix?  They're the little pH strips you urinate on check for ketones during ketosis?  Over the last 3-4 days, I've been pushing about 80-160mg ketones everytime I had to go.  I've been averaging about 1.5 - 2lbs a day loss since I had my stall a week ago.  I tried a ketosis diet pre-op and never pushed this high of a ketone level... I don't know if this is good or bad.  I'm now 33 days post-op and down 54lbs from high weight and 31lbs from surgery weight.  I finally felt up to doing some weight training besides just doing the cardio.  I had a personal training session last night and I can't believe how weak I am compared to before surgery.  I worked everything except my abs since I still feel some strain there. 

Not great, no.  Ketones can indicate the passing of protein molecules in your kidneys which is not good...but then again I'm not a doctor, just diabetic lol as long as your breath doesn't smell "fruity" or too strong like then you should be fine.  It also indicates the metabolizing of fats which is great.

Dude, not to burst your bubble, but should you really be lifting weights this early out.  I said the exact same thing to someone else recently and I will tell you the same thing.  Definitely go by what your doctor says to do, but most surgeons say at a minimum - give six weeks to allow the abdominal muscles to heal.  You said it yourself about feeling abdominal strain.  You are asking for a whole world of hurt if you rupture your internal staple line where the anastamosis took place, as well as possible hernias through the openings where they did your laparoscopic RNY.   That is unbelievable that they are letting you do that so soon with the wound healing that needs to take place internally.  Be very very careful.  You could really mess yourself up.  Think of it this way, you spent all this time preparing for your surgery, you had the surgery and now you are on the road to healing.  The last thing you want is for your body to have to go through another surgery that will require extensive healing and will prolong and slow down your weightloss.  I think if you poll most of the guys on here, you will find that usually the minimum recovery time for Lap RNY is at least 6 weeks and people with open RNY is about 12 weeks.  The cardio is great, but lifting that early on is crazy.  I know your body probably feels great, I know mine did at three weeks and I even felt like I could start lifting weights again without any problem, but my surgeon demanded that I didn't lift anything heavier than 20-30 pounds for six weeks.  I could be wrong, but most guys will probably agree with me on this point.  Maybe your surgeon has a different way of doing things and he wants you lifting sooner than later.  Whatever you do, good luck and be extra careful.  Take care, Taz

Being in a state of Ketosis is very common for the ‘rapid weight-loss’ early on after surgery.  Many complain of “Death-Breath” and body odor like the sorts that accompany successful Atkins Dieters. Keep pushing your water intake to reduce the concentration of ketones in your urine and sweat. TazRN raises some valid concerns…. Your doc cleared you for lifting already?  Abs work? Follow YOUR Docs advice, but take it easy for a bit. There’s little that sucks worse than an incisional hernia.  I’m up in your neck of the woods (in Portland) for a few weeks. Dam!  It rains here constantly! Hang in there. It gets easier each month! (by then there should be some sunshine as well) Best Wishes- Dx

 

At 1 month check up doc gave me the all clear to do anything. 

I was told at 6 weeks I could do most anything. I've been doing weights since about mid-week 5. Can't lift nearly as much as pre-op but I'm still doing it. I didn't start doing crunches until late last week (week 6 1/2).

As for your question, I test my ketone levels regularly. Right out of surgery I was always in the mid-range of ketosis, never got up to the higher levels. Now I'm just in the mild or low range but I also have introduced a lot more carbs into my diet (wheat crackers, veggies, fruit, etc.). I really don't think it's good to hit the gym when your body is in such a high state of ketosis since you don't have any carbs to pull energy from. I would be scared of losing too much muscle mass as your body searches for sources of energy.