Neoteric Verve

I've yet to be sleeved and I was concerned about the loss of lean body mass while on a low carb, high Protein diet post surgery. Yes working out would easily stave this off but I wanted to share this article I found in case others here had similar concerns.... Ketosis and Muscle Loss Posted: 9th February 2011 by Scott One of the many fallacies that people often hear about when they first begin to hear about low carb, ketogenic or Atkins diets is that it will cause you to lose muscle. Asking these questions and getting the actual science is the most important thing you can do in your life to not be a victim of bad science. Most of our understanding about health and diet these days come from advertisers and doctors who don’t really know enough about the subject to give anyone advice. The average doctor only has 23.9 hours of nutritional training in medical school. I spent more time setting up this website and several months more just studying the science behind Ketogenic diets. When Ketosis is studied by most medical professionals it is studied as part of starvation. During starvation the body goes into ketosis and begins to use fat for energy while burning up muscle to create enough glucose to provide the energy the brain needs. This process changes over time but to sum it up, during starvation your muscle becomes a source of glucose. This IS muscle loss. Over time you will have muscle atrophy if you continue to not eat. THIS IS NOT A KETOGENIC DIET…this is a fast or you need to find some food cause you’re starving!! A Ketogenic diet is NOT a diet that causes muscle loss. Let me repeat…A KETOGENIC DIET DOES NOT CAUSE MUSCLE ATROPHY!! A Ketogenic diet is a protein sparing diet. What this means is that if you are consuming the adequate amount of protein on a ketogenic diet you do not experience muscle loss. If you are consuming enough protein in your daily diet the body will use that, instead of muscle, to create the necessary glycogen your body needs. HOLY COW SCOTT, YOU JUST ADMITTED THAT THE BODY NEEDS CARBS! YOU BETTER START SINGING THE PRAISES OF THE VEGANS AND GIVE UP ALL RATIONAL THOUGHT AND INDIVIDUALISM! No, I didn’t. There are plenty of documented societies that lived without carbs in their diet and were very healthy. The body can create what it needs for glycogen through the use of protein. But the most important part of the protein sparing is the decrease in glycogen needs in the body that occur over time. As the body adapts to the decrease in carbohydrate intake it begins to use ketones as its fuel source (1,2). This gradual adaptation occurs in the brain and in the body. Most ketogenic dieters that are involved in Crossfit have noted that adaptation took about six weeks for performance to return to normal during a High Intensity Interval workout. After six weeks their performance went through the roof according to them. Matt Lalonde, the crossfit affiliate owner and Harvard Biochemist did a 3 month Ketogenic diet and lost body fat while gaining 10 lbs of lean muscle mass. Some people love the idea of turning their fat to muscle. Problem is that this does not occur. Fat is burned as energy and the majority of muscle is made up of glutamine which is the most abundant protein in the body. Of course there are plenty of other amino acids, Vitamins, minerals and essential fats that make up new muscle. To make sure you’re not losing muscle while on a Ketogenic diet make sure you eat plenty of protein and if you are trying to build muscle make sure you increase the amount of fat you are taking in. The new cell walls will be made up of fat so bring on the BACON! 1. “Ellenberg and Rifkin’s Diabetes Mellitus: Theory and Practice 5th ed.” Ed. Daniel Porte and Robert Sherwin. Appleton and Lange, 1997.2. How metabolism affects clinical problems Medical Times (1970) 98: 106-122 .

I can't believe in 18 days my whole life changes.....for the better!

Also, they required an Upper GI and H.pylori test. Aetna wants two years of BMI history along with the other things.

First off, WELCOME to VST!!!!! There's a plethora of information here and people with cast knowledge of Sleeve Gastrectomy. 4 1. I was approved following the first set of guidelines in their Clinical Policy Bulletin #0157 outlining the 3-month process. a. I saw my primary doc for nearly every month for six months prior and had three years of BMI history documented + weight management discussions. b. three consecutive months of nutrition counseling & exercise counseling. c. a single 1-on-1 with a nutritionist (NUT) d. I am also 400+ pounds with a BMI of nearly 60. 2. I was afraid of this too but reading this site I saw someone reply by saying (paraphrased) "Why would you WANT to go back to the way things were?" Also, eventually over time the stomach will stretch to some degree, but not to its original size. 3. While I have not had my Sleeve yet, the issue of leakage is probably a non-issue as the surgeon does a leak test before you are discharged. Well as far as I know this is true. I'm still nervous and sometimes scared of getting my Sleeve. But I'm more scared of not being around in 10 or 20 years because of my size.

I hope you get back to a comfortable routine and out of pain soon. Congrats!!!

If anyone was a patient of Dr Teng, what all did you do on the "Signing Day"? I feel like the kid who's next in line for his favorite ride at Disney World.......

Good luck tomorrow (today if you're on EST) to Wishes, Wannagethealthy, CoffeeBean, HollyB

Try teh bars called "Ohh Yeah!". They're pretty good.

Thank you, ladies. My surgery is September 23rd. I am still in disbelief on how close it is..

Two words: Kettlebell Swings. I'm doing drop sets of 20, four times a week until my surgery on the 23rd. And for a professional-level arse kickin' Tabata Kettlebell Swings Take said kettlebell (25-35lb) and proceed to swing it for 20 seconds Rest for ten seconds Repeat 7 more times for a total of 8 rounds (4 minutes) Do NOT underestimate the simplicity: the wet pool left on the floor is your sweat

The COUNTDOWN is ON!!! I will keep you all posted. On Tuesday I begin my pre-op diet. 17 days of pre-op nutrition. I wonder if I have time to do a liver cleanse? I think I will on say, Sunday and then keep it light (diet) on Monday so that when I go in to do my paperwork on Tuesday (Sept 6) I'll feel better prepared. I seriously can't believe I got approved in less than 24 hours. Next month it's gonna actually happen! My life is gonna change, FOR THE BETTER. I'm still a bit nervous and scared but I also realize that this is all for my greater good. I really want to thank everyone here here on VST for your words of encouragement and helping to alleviate my concerns and worries. Thanks a million for it all. I have gained so much knowledge and information just reading posts here. I'm still gonna read and peruse the boards for information. And soon, I too will be on the "Loser Bench" with all you other excellent people!!

Y'all are awesome! I feel better and realize the best way to face the unknown is to charge head on right into it. This is going down in September. I have these feelings because I worry about food. Why? What I do when I get hungry (and only then) is have specific food cravings. This is good. Good because if this hunger thing is greatly diminished then this takes care of the majority of my obesity problems. I feel nervous still but mostly anticipation.

I appreciate everyone of you. I still do feel a bit worried. But I'm still over 90% leaning toward getting my Sleeve. So much so that I have considered naming it. Now I do have doubts still about whether or not this is what I am supposed to do. I believe life is a series of cause and effects. Some reactions are positive while others are not.

Two words sum up all of my emotions. I worry that this is not the way. I worry about what will become of my relationship. I'm worried my new body will illicit changes in me I never imagined. I worry because the procedure is irreversible. There is no turning back. I'm also worried that if I stay the way I am life will get progressively worse. I'm scared. Scared to stay where I am. Scared to move forward. The closer I get to September the more I worry in silence. I fear this unknown. I'm 36 years old and weigh over 400 pounds. I'll certainly not live a long life at 400 pounds. Not many 400 pound 80 year old men around. This should be enough to keep me focused and motivated. I am worried, nervous, constantly second-guessing this decision. I'm scared....

To say my plate is full is a gross understatement. Like I mentioned, I work 36-48hrs weekly, I have a rather tumultuous relationship with my in-laws, my wife and I are at odds over various topics and I am trying to get the first step towards graduate school. My goal is to get into medical research. I'm trying to get the "sequence" started. 1 year of Biology, 1 of General Chemistry, 1 of Organic Chemistry, A year of General Physics, One semester of Biochemistry and a semester of Calculus. Yes, at my age (36) I am getting ready to go to medical school and hopefully become a research physician in biomedical endocrinology. Thank you, Robert K Jarvik, MD!! Between you, my ADHD & OCD I have what my psychologist and I have coined "Linear Spatial Parity". And don't even say I'm too old. Dreams never go away, they nag you more than a kids wanting McDonald's. Well, I have just begun the process. This fall was to be the first steps. General Biology 1 & General Chemistry 1. Can I sacrifice a semester? In the grand scheme of things, yes. I didn't want to but my health is of paramount importance. I think it would be odd to do endocrine-related research with cardiomyopathy and liver cirrhosis. If I don't fix my body that's where I'm headed. Sound body=Sound mind, right? I hope sincerely that I have put my priorities in good order. Health, Family, Educational pursuits. It all begins with great health, for without it I can't adequately do the other things. Thanks everyone for your insight and perspectives.

So many what-ifs. I am worried that post surgery, my wife and I will no longer be. Does anyone else you know have or have had this feeling? I honestly believe that my wife prefer me to be XXXXXL so nobody else will even look at me. She supports me to my face but I have heard her talk to her friends about me not needing it. But yet it's perfectly ok for her to get the Sleeve. Does that seem fair? Not to me. I tried talking with her but she is so far unresponsive. What am I to do?

Congratulations on a successful surgery. I hope you have a speedy recovery and that you garner all you desire from the Sleeve.

The classes I want are sciences (Biology and Chemistry). I wish there was an online alternative but there isn't. That's why I'm split on my decision.

I'm slated for a September Sleeve. Here's the dilemma. Fall classes begin on August 29. Should I postpone classes until Spring semester and concentrate more on adapting to life with the Sleeve or plow ahead into class? I also work three, 12-hr shifts (sometimes 4 shifts) weekly. I know work and school is a tough combination as is. But will the added factor of "Sleeve Assimilation" be too much to deal with? My philosophy is that after the fall term, I'll have a better understanding of life post-VSG. Would taking a semester off be beneficial? What are your thoughts? Deadline to drop classes is August 26.

Instead of a foley catheter, ask for a condom catheter. Not as invasive and works just as well.

I still can't believe you had the energy to get on here and post 3 HOURS AFTER SURGERY. Congrats on the toughness!!! I sincerely hope I don't want, need or get a foley...

Raine, it's awesome IMHO. I won't compare it to any other art. But the level of street preparedness is off the charts. Now while they preach that you should always avoid going to the ground (because on the ground = dead) my studio does teach ground fighting skills. Find a center in your area and have a look-see. It is an exceptional discipline.

Fast, quick but not easy. I know these exercises work, I've been using them. Just not in this sequence. The technique they describe is essentially drop sets of alternating movements. Try them and see if you can rev up your fat loss, I am doing it right after this post. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A few months ago, I asked Alwyn Cosgrove, C.S.C.S. -- one of the world's top trainers -- to create a cutting-edge fat loss program for Men's Health. And, of course, he obliged. But a curious thing: One of the workouts in the plan featured just two exercises. That's right: When asked to create a super-effective, calorie-torching routine, Cosgrove gave us a workout that had readers do only a kettlebell swing and a squat thrust. This confused some folks, who wondered, "How can you lose fat with just two exercises?" Cosgrove's response: "Running is just one exercise, but no one questions that when it comes to burning fat." He makes a good point. And in fact, once you understand the philosophy behind Cosgrove's routine, you start to see why it works so well. But first, an explanation of the actual routine itself. Here's how it works: You do 15 repetitions of the kettlebell swing (you can also use a dumbbell for this), followed immediately by 15 reps of the squat thrust. (See below for descriptions of both exercises.) Without resting, do 14 reps of the swing and then 14 reps of the squat thrust. Continue this pattern until you complete only one rep of each exercise. This is called a countdown workout. Sure, that's just two exercises, but do the math: If you complete the entire routine -- from 15 down to 1 -- you'll do 120 repetitions of each exercise. That's 240 repetitions. And these aren't just any exercises: They're movements that challenge your entire body. They're also done at a fast pace. On average, it'll only take you about three seconds per rep. So you'll do those 240 reps in just 12 minutes or so. That'll light your muscles on fire, and have you gasping for air (in a good way). If you think that sounds too easy or too fast, I suggest you try it. You may find you can't even finish. But that's okay -- you can just start with a lower number, like 8, and work your way up as you improve your fitness. (In fact, I recommend this strategy.) What's more, if you want an even greater challenge, you can always take a breather and repeat the routine. Remember: Whether you're running or lifting, your muscles require energy to help you move. And this workout forces more of your muscles into action than you'd ever use while jogging for the same duration. It'll also boost your metabolism for hours after your workout.What's more, unlike jogging, these aren't joint-pounding exercises. So this is actually a "low-impact" workout that you can do at a high intensity, making it ideal for overweight folks. The best part: You can do the routine without even leaving your house, since all you need is a single kettlebell or dumbbell. How to do the countdown workout: Do 8 reps of the kettlebell swing, followed immediately by 8 reps of the squat thrust. Without resting, do 7 reps of the kettlebell swing, and then 7 reps of the squat thrust, and so on, until you work your way down to 1. A reminder: Don’t overdo it. If your form breaks down during the routine, just stop there. Then next time, adjust your starting point so that you can work all the way down to one without having to stop. As you become better conditioned, start with a higher number. An important note: This isn't a complete workout program, but it is a great routine that you can do almost anywhere, anytime. And it's a fantastic substitute for 15 minutes on the treadmill. Kettlebell (or Dumbbell) Swing go here to see how it's done>>>
 http://bcove.me/apyhhsnj Bend at your hips and hold a kettlebell (or dumbbbell) with both hands at arm’s length in front of you. Now rock back slightly and “hike” kettlebell between your legs. Then squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward forcefully, and swing the weight to shoulder height. Allow momentum to swing the weight—you're not trying to actively lift it with your arms. Reverse the movement, so that you swing the kettlebell between your legs again. Make sure you don't round your lower back at any time; it should stay naturally arched when you bend at your hips. Continue to swing back and forth. Watch the video below to see fitness expert David Jack show you how to do the kettlebell swing with perfect form. Squat Thrust aka burpees is demonstrated here >>>>>http://bcove.me/hnxv7ehf 
Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bending at your hips and knees, squat down and lower your body until you can place your hands on the floor. Kick your legs backward—into a pushup position—and then immediately reverse the move and quickly stand up from the squat. That's 1 rep. To make the exercise even more challenging, you can jump up from the squat instead of simply standing up quickly. Watch the video below to see strength coach David Jack do the squat thrust.

Thanks everyone. I still try to talk with him but I think it's falling on deaf ears, So after I get the Sleeve and drop some serious weight maybe he'll take notice.