Building Muscle after Gastric Bypass
Question:
I am a 6 foot 160 pound guy and would like to gain 40 pounds of muscle. I had
gastric bypass a few years ago and now my stomach is really small. I can't eat
much at all.
My question is what supplements should I take to help build muscle? I know of
one and it's creatine. I can't take any supplement in pill form. Thank you
First and Foremost: Consult with Your
Doctor before you Take any Supplements or Alter your Exercise Program
after your Gastric Bypass
Your
very unique situation is going to be very difficult to overcome.
You mention you cannot take any supplements in pill form but keep in mind
that supplements in pill form are just solidified powders.
Therefore you could in theory simply smash up the tablets, empty out the
capsules and mix them in water or a liquid of your choice and take them.
Supplements such as creatine could help but they are definitely not your biggest
concern...
Focus on Quick Assimilating Macronutrient
Supplements
Since your stomach is very small which was helpful in losing weight is going to
be a severe detriment in gaining muscle simply because it could be near
impossible to intake enough macronutrients and calories to build muscle,
especially the 40 pounds which you state as your goal.
Macronutrient (carb, protein, fat) supplements are often easier and quicker
to digest than their whole food counterparts so they are likely the best
supplements for someone in your situation.
Protein & Carbohydrate Supplements
 For
protein, whey protein isolate is the best choice as it's the form of protein
that has the fastest absorption rate around 7 times faster than the best natural
source of protein (egg whites).
Isopure is a brand which makes whey protein isolate supplements.
As far as carbohydrates go, the supplement of choice is going to be
maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is simply a complex carbohydrate derived from corn or
rice. It is easily digested and can mix in water without adding any taste.
Maltodextrin is found in a large percentage of meal replacement supplements
as well as pre-workout supplements such as carbo gain. The best route to adding
the carbs and calories of maltodextrin to your diet is going to be to order the
pure form in bulk. You can find pure maltodextrin powder locally but your best
bet is to order it online from a bulk food supplier.
Your Training & Nutrition Timing
With a gastric bypass your nutrient timing is going to be the most important
factor to get right. Since you cannot each as much per meal you are going to
have to increase your meal frequency. You will likely have to measure the amount
of time it takes to digest certain meals or supplements so you know when to eat
again.
After your weight training workouts is going to be the best time to take your
whey isolate/maltodextrin liquid although you can take it throughout the day as
needed. Slower digesting whole foods are better later in the day as they will
discourage muscle catabolism (breakdown) when you sleep at night.
Other Options for Building Muscle After Gastric Bypass
Another solution would be to go under the knife again and have them at least
partially increase the size of your stomach pouch or reverse the procedure
entirely. This is obviously not an easy choice to make and depends on how bad
you really want to gain muscle.
If you do go this route, eating more will not be the problem but controlling
your eating and exercising self discipline to gain muscle weight and not the
body fat which caused you to get the gastric bypass surgery in the first place.
More Supplements & Nutrition Information
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