weight gain post op

MDP

Hi there,

I'm just checking to see if there's anyone that has been in a similar situation. I'm a 25 year old male - had a pretty high level of cardio fitness and did some very basic weight training...I was fairly happy weighing in around 12 stone, with little BF as I cycled quite a lot, over 100k a week.

I had open heart surgery just over a month ago - I began to lose weight about 3 months before the op...I was still exercising regularly and eating etc but the weight loss was related to the heart condition (congenital) and with that on top of the hospital stay (nice food ) I walked away at 9st 9...

In the past month I've been trying to get an appetite back and put on some weight - it's a fairly slow process, and I'm up to around 10st 3. I'd like to put on some more weight both for aesthetic and for health purposes, as if I had to go into another op / illness I would be through it a lot easier with a bit more meat on the bones.

The trouble is, I'm having a really hard time working up an appetite without strenuous exercise...at the moment the only exercise I can really do is walking...I'm hoping to start yoga and maybe get back onto the bike for a bit, but I dont think I'll be back to my previous levels of cycling for quite a while. I cant lift weights or do anything that puts too much pressure on my sternum.

So I've been looking at some dietry supplements, which I have absolutely no experience of. I've taken Spirulina before just as an all round health booster. And I wonder if something like that, taken in more regular doses, would help gain a few pounds...

If anyone has any recommendations for supplements to take between meals etc, bearing in mind that I can only work with light exercise afterwards, I'd be happy to hear

Thanks

brown-dog

Have you consuled your docotr about what to take. Anything that is suggested to you I would check out with them first before taking anything due to the nature of the operation. My brother had a serious operation like that and lost alot of muscle mass and weight but he did it but changing his diet with the help of a nutricianist who had him on a high protein diet and had him juicing lots of food as he was only able to eat twice a day but if he got what he needed in that and then his appetite sowly increased. Also they had him doing water excercises as its easier over all of his heart.

I hope this helps - but like I said run everything by your doctor before trying it

aye

hey, there are lots of gain supplements out there, but i would be extremely cautious of using these without conferring to your cardio.

i had a congenital heart disease too, i had my surgery when i was 1 tho.
i know that certain supplements affect my heart rate so i stay away from them.

talk to your cardio first, ask him what you can and cant have in regards to sports supplements ingredients.

Tiriel

Just a note re. Spirulina - I *think* it is an appetite suppressant - so it might actually be a hindrance in helping you increase your appetite!

(I'm not an expert - check it out!! )