About to have surgery...looking to minimize muscle loss during recovery

[sleepy]

I'm about to have a tonsillectomy, which sounds like a minor kid surgery. But for a 40 year old adult, it's apparently a very tough recovery.

I'm on an HRT regimen (200mg Test Cyp, 2x250 HCG weekly), and I'm concerned about getting really week during my time off.

My doctor has advised me that no strenuous activity or workouts for at least two weeks, but it could easily be three weeks or more.

I'll likely subsist on water, broth and thin liquids for the first 5 days or so. Graduating to applesauce, mashed potatoes, cream-of-wheat and possibly protein drinks.

No dairy for at least several weeks.

The doctor has advised me I'll lose 10-15 lbs. I don't mind losing the weight (that would take me to about my ideal weight), but I don't want the loss to be all muscle.

What can I do to help minimize muscle loss and weakness? I'm going to try to force myself to eat as much protein as possible, but I know this is going to be very difficult.

Would upping my Test for a couple weeks help? I also have GH on hand - perhaps 3IU/day to help speed recovery?

Any suggestion from anyone else who not only had to take weeks off from working out but also couldn't eat during that period?

Thanks-

[Dopamineloveaffair]

I'm assuming you're a competitive bodybuilder?

I wouldn't worry too much about 2-3 weeks. If you work out hard prior to your surgery, the weeks there after will just be good recovery time. A couple weeks off here and there is a good thing. Keeps you fresh and vigilant.

Since you're not going to be working out, increasing your testosterone dosage won't do much good. The increased protein assimilation won't have much of an effect if there's no adaptation to respond to.

I'd keep your protein high, and carbs somewhat lower since you're not going to be exercising.

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by sleepy

I'm about to have a tonsillectomy, which sounds like a minor kid surgery. But for a 40 year old adult, it's apparently a very tough recovery.

I'm on an HRT regimen (200mg Test Cyp, 2x250 HCG weekly), and I'm concerned about getting really week during my time off.

My doctor has advised me that no strenuous activity or workouts for at least two weeks, but it could easily be three weeks or more.

I'll likely subsist on water, broth and thin liquids for the first 5 days or so. Graduating to applesauce, mashed potatoes, cream-of-wheat and possibly protein drinks.

No dairy for at least several weeks.

The doctor has advised me I'll lose 10-15 lbs. I don't mind losing the weight (that would take me to about my ideal weight), but I don't want the loss to be all muscle.

What can I do to help minimize muscle loss and weakness? I'm going to try to force myself to eat as much protein as possible, but I know this is going to be very difficult.

Would upping my Test for a couple weeks help? I also have GH on hand - perhaps 3IU/day to help speed recovery?

Any suggestion from anyone else who not only had to take weeks off from working out but also couldn't eat during that period?

Thanks-

Read here, possibly you can get a nugget or two.

Thanks for reminding me of this topic,
I am going to have mine surgery sometimes in January.

Surgical Preparation
Updated: 06/15/2006
Surgical Preparation: Online References For Health Concerns

or just a summary

Life Extension Foundation Recommendations
In an ideal situation, patients undergoing surgery will have adequate time before the operation to prepare themselves emotionally and physically. This preparation will likely include dietary supplementation, as well as mental and emotional preparation. The healthier patients are when they go into surgery, the healthier they are likely to be during the postoperative phase.

Life Extension also recommends that patients with poor glucose control discuss intensive insulin therapy with the surgeon before surgery. Studies indicate that surgery-induced insulin resistance, leading to elevated glucose levels during surgery, raises the risk of complications and death. Intensive insulin therapy, a procedure in which glucose levels are closely monitored during surgery, can help reduce complications and lower the risk of death (van den Berghe et al 2001). The recommended glucose range is between 80 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL. However, this practice is not standard in hospitals and requires intensive administration from nurses and other members of the surgical team. Nevertheless, because of the benefits, patients may want to discuss intensive insulin therapy with their surgical team to see if it is warranted.

Patients may also want to discuss aspirin therapy before surgery. Aspirin is a well-known antiplatelet that is used for prevention of heart attack and to mitigate the damage of ongoing heart attacks. Some studies have suggested that aspirin therapy may benefit certain patients before surgery, especially heart patients and those undergoing carotid endarterectomy (Mangano DT 2002). However, because aspirin affects the blood’s ability to clot, no surgery patients should begin aspirin therapy unless under the direct supervision of their surgical team.

Other nutrients might also be helpful before and after surgery:

EPA/DHA—1400 milligrams (mg) EPA and 1000 mg DHA daily
Arginine—3000 to 12,000 mg daily (in three divided doses)
Glutamine—1000 to 3000 mg daily
Vitamin C—2000 to 3000 mg daily
Vitamin E—400 international units (IU) daily (with at least 200 mg gamma tocopherol)
Vitamin A—25,000 IU daily
Lipoic acid—150 to 300 mg daily
CoQ10—300 mg daily
Zinc—30 mg daily
Melatonin—300 mcg to 10 mg, usually taken before bedtime; begin with the smallest possible dose
Curcumin—800 to 1600 mg daily
Protein (derived from whey)—up to 60 grams (g) daily
Importantly, the surgeon should be aware of any dietary supplements that are consumed. Some supplements, such as vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba, increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Many physicians will recommend that patients discontinue these supplements up to 14 days before surgery.

[The Cardinal]

Originally Posted by sleepy

I'm about to have a tonsillectomy, which sounds like a minor kid surgery. But for a 40 year old adult, it's apparently a very tough recovery.

I'm on an HRT regimen (200mg Test Cyp, 2x250 HCG weekly), and I'm concerned about getting really week during my time off.

My doctor has advised me that no strenuous activity or workouts for at least two weeks, but it could easily be three weeks or more.

I'll likely subsist on water, broth and thin liquids for the first 5 days or so. Graduating to applesauce, mashed potatoes, cream-of-wheat and possibly protein drinks.

No dairy for at least several weeks.

The doctor has advised me I'll lose 10-15 lbs. I don't mind losing the weight (that would take me to about my ideal weight), but I don't want the loss to be all muscle.

What can I do to help minimize muscle loss and weakness? I'm going to try to force myself to eat as much protein as possible, but I know this is going to be very difficult.

Would upping my Test for a couple weeks help? I also have GH on hand - perhaps 3IU/day to help speed recovery?

Any suggestion from anyone else who not only had to take weeks off from working out but also couldn't eat during that period?

Thanks-

Biggest bang for your buck: 10 - 15 grams of milk (the roughly 80% - 20% caseinate to whey ratio is ideal for maintenance) mixed with 2 or 3 grams of creatine (which will further combat wasting), twice daily.

[SunMan]

Originally Posted by The Cardinal

Biggest bang for your buck: 10 - 15 grams of milk (the roughly 80% - 20% caseinate to whey ratio is ideal for maintenance) mixed with 2 or 3 grams of creatine (which will further combat wasting), twice daily.

Yes, But he can't have dairy for a few weeks.

If it's me... and it has been. I just upped my test right before the surgery and maybe one time during recovery. It really helped me, I had NO wasting that I could tell.

SM

[The Cardinal]

Originally Posted by SunMan

Yes, But he can't have dairy for a few weeks.

If it's me... and it has been. I just upped my test right before the surgery and maybe one time during recovery. It really helped me, I had NO wasting that I could tell.

SM

My bad. With that in mind, he should just substitute a commercial high content casein powder for the milk.

[SunMan]

Originally Posted by The Cardinal

My bad. With that in mind, he should just substitute a commercial high content casein powder for the milk.

yup!

[sleepy]

Originally Posted by SunMan

Yes, But he can't have dairy for a few weeks.

If it's me... and it has been. I just upped my test right before the surgery and maybe one time during recovery. It really helped me, I had NO wasting that I could tell.

SM

How much did you up your test before and during recovery???

Thanks-

(and no, I'm not competitive, but I've been working hard and making great gains for the last 4 months, and I just want to minimize the losses and keep my strength up as best I can).

[SunMan]

I just added 250-300mg extra each week while I was down.

It worked perfectly for me.

SM