Strength loss after surgery

[nmccarthy 11]

I lift weights in the gym four days a week. I have noticed since the sleeve surgery I have dramatically gotten a lot weaker. My major lifts suck as squat , bench and deadlift have almost dropped in half. I am down 40 pounds since July so I expected some strength loss but not this much has anyone experienced this?

[swimbikerun 1,038]

When did you have your surgery? Yes you would lose strength but you will build it back up. Be patient.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

If you've just recently started back lifting, you might need to increase your carbs some for energy. That's what my nutritionist recommended when I started back lifting and it's really helped me feel stronger. I do a lot of bodyweight stuff, not free weights so much, but I don't feel like I've lost any strength and definitely gained some.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had a RNY about 15 months ago. I felt like I lost a little strength for several months after surgery but I feel like I gained it back at this stage and then some. I do not lift weights but I do some physical work. In the last couple weeks I had to move 40,000 pounds of river gravel by hand. I used 5 gallon plastic buckets. Filled with gravel they weighed 70 pounds each. These I had to lift up to chest height in order to get them onto my utility vehicle. I am 65 years old and this is about my level of strength when I was around 35.

[enjoyinglife 313]

I have absolutely noticed this. I have no idea how much of my weight loss has been muscle, but I am willing to bet a lot. My GF who happens to be an RN said I am all skin and bones. I have lost by my estimate 18% body fat. I try to get all my protien in, but I know I am falling short. I love lifting weights but have noticed a big decrease in my strength. I am going to continue to lift weights and see what happens.

[aroundhky 1,174]

It happens, try not to panic like I did. Strength/muscle loss is inevitable during the rapid weight loss phase. But the loss can be reduced by getting in plenty of Protein and lifting during this phase. The first few months after the sleeve I lifted and tried to get in plenty of Protein, but I still lost muscle and strength, but no where near the amount I would've lost had I not lifted. It is basically impossible to lose weight that fast and not lose strength, but if you keep lifting during this phase, it signals to your body that you need some muscle. So a higher ratio of the weight loss will be fat and less muscle loss. I got back to my original strength (deadlift and squat max) about 7+ months after my sleeve and I know there is no way I would've gotten back to it that fast, if at all, if I hadn't lifted the first few months after my surgery.

[Mrs.RRn 2,109]

YES!!

But now that my intake has normalized (just over a year out) I can eat enough to build muscle. SLOWLY but surely!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I am over 2 years out. I got weaker, then strong and then weaker again. I know exactly WHAT caused it and now it is time to refocus on strengthening exercise.

[Ms24 8]

I am over 2 years out. I got weaker, then strong and then weaker again. I know exactly WHAT caused it and now it is time to refocus on strengthening exercise.

how does that work after you have the extra skin removed? I know that I have to wait about two months