I'm new to the forums and am loving the community and the help everyone gives. I'm 34 year old black male and was 497 at my largest and 493 at the time of my surgery on last Wednesday 7/3/13. After I came out of anesthesia all I thought was I can't believe I did this to myself on purpose. The pain was intense but now things are so much better. I'm able to get enough liquid and my stomach seems to handle a good level of broth with no issue. I'm really interested in amateur bodybuilding. It's a dream of mine and I want to start out on the right foot. So if anyone has info on how to start off on the right foot I in that direction I would love to hear from you. How is bodybuilding after the sleeve different than doing it without the sleeve?

I'm new to the forums and am loving the community and the help everyone gives. I'm 34 year old black male and was 497 at my largest and 493 at the time of my surgery on last Wednesday 7/3/13. After I came out of anesthesia all I thought was I can't believe I did this to myself on purpose. The pain was intense but now things are so much better. I'm able to get enough liquid and my stomach seems to handle a good level of broth with no issue. I'm really interested in amateur bodybuilding. It's a dream of mine and I want to start out on the right foot. So if anyone has info on how to start off on the right foot I in that direction I would love to hear from you. How is bodybuilding after the sleeve different than doing it without the sleeve?

I am doing amateur body building and hopefully some physique modeling and it's pretty much the same as pre sleeve just diet and exercise. The sleeve controls how much but you still control what you eat...

Thanks big country. So how much have you lost? And did you just focus on losing weight at first then building muscle? Or did you try to keep the muscle you already had when you were big?

Thanks big country. So how much have you lost? And did you just focus on losing weight at first then building muscle? Or did you try to keep the muscle you already had when you were big?

I focused on losing weight first and when I got down to a comfy weight I started lifting.

Congratulations Seth!

I'm in the Pre-Op stages and I too thought about Amatuer body building, but not the kind where I'll look like a man. Lol. My goal is to get as fit as possible to live a full active fun life!

If you'd like someone to share your successes with....I'm here. :-)

Lorayne

P.s. I have no idea why my pic is coming out upside down. :-/

Bigcountry that's awesome man, solid work.

For bodybuilding in a larger, drug free weight class, Protein intake with diet and lifting, with hard work and dedication is what it takes. Consistency. Every day, busting it in the gym. You can get there and make it happen, just be strict and consistent in your craft.

Bigcountry - how tall are you how much did you loose what is your weight? When dud you have surgery? When did you start working out?

Bigcountry - how tall are you how much did you loose what is your weight? When dud you have surgery? When did you start working out?

I'm 6ft tall, I started at 305lbs with severe comorbids, had surgery on 31OCT 2012 started lifting light weight at 6 weeks

9 Months. Nice. You must be young to not have excess skin. I hope to have my VSG in Oct.