Hello all, I am a 36 year old who served in the Marines from 2000 - 2005 and then got out and got a desk job. I weighed 185 when I EAS'd out of the Marines, but taking a desk job and also a lot of driving involved I sat for a large portion of the day and also worked 16 - 17 hour days as I wanted to work my way up in the company. I ate a lot of fast food, went to the bars and drank just about every weekend (hey I was young and dumb). Slowly but surely I started getting quite a big gut which I still have to this day. Long story short my doctor wants me to have gastric sleeve as she thinks it would solve a lot of other health problems I have (Low Test, B-12 shots, clonazepam for generalized anxiety, venalflaxine for mood swings, and I sleep with a CPAP.) I have been reading up on Gastric Sleeve post op and a lot of people are saying that it's hard to put on muscle afterwards as you are in a caloric defecit and can't put on muscle. Does anyone know if this is true or what routine worked best for you after your surgery, was it strictly cardio? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm 13 months out after sleeve. I worked with a personal trainer, in the gym, lifting until 2 days before surgery. (Would have been the day before, but the schedule got wacky and had to go into the office.) I started developing some muscle definition before, but I've lost 105 pounds, so its' much more noticeable now.

I was a competitive athlete many years ago and that form is coming back into shape. I'm certain it will be more visible after plastics (my first consult is next week). Under the hanging skin/fat, you can see the definition in my legs and arms and waist.

Will I ever have a six-pack? Nope. Even in my best shape never had one. Now, I try to get to the gym 2x week and I fence (as in en garde) for about 5 hours a week. If I say so myself, my butt looks great! (My hubby thinks so too.)

I would suggest you start working out to the extent you can now and see if you can find a trainer who has worked with bariatric patients. We modified my routine post op, but I was in the gym on a recumbent bike for 45 minutes 5 days after surgery. I was cleared at 3 weeks to start light lifting, and fully cleared at 6 weeks to lift as I wanted.

You got this. Semper Fi, Marine!

(From the daughter of a Gunny - may he rest in peace.)