Do you yearn for a more toned physique? The answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. If you have had gastric sleeve surgery (also known as gastric bypass), your options are limited when it comes to building muscle after the procedure.
After all, with less food passing through your system, it becomes easier to be selective about what you eat, which means eliminating most of the calorie-dense foods and beverages that cause excess fat accumulation.
You probably heard of this before: calorie restriction and intense exercise are two common strategies people use to build lean muscle mass after an eating intervention like a gastric sleeve operation.
So, how can you achieve your muscle-building goal after having one? Let us find out
What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery involves creating a smaller stomach through either a bypass or a vertical bypass method. The stomach is a key part of digestion, as it is where food is broken down into nutrients the body can use.
A gastric bypass surgery removes about 80% of your stomach, below the diaphragm, and directly connects the small intestine to the large intestine through an abdominal pouch that is created. This reduces the amount of food you eat and causes you to feel full sooner than normal.
A gastric sleeve is a less invasive procedure in which the stomach is reduced in size by taking away part of the stomach and putting it into the small intestine. You’ll still be able to eat most foods, but less food will be absorbed and the volume of calories will be significantly less.
Can You Build Muscle After a Gastric Sleeve Operation?
The most important thing to consider is that the reduction in stomach size will constrain your calories and leave you much more likely to be anemic. In addition, while the surgery may temporarily boost your metabolism, it’s likely to decline very quickly.
This means that while a gastric sleeve may increase the hours you can go without food, it won’t help you build muscle. However, if you want to get lean, a gastric sleeve is a great option. It’s the best way to lose weight quickly, and the faster your body goes into starvation mode, the faster it will burn fat.
Is It Harder to Build Muscle After a Gastric Sleeve Operation?
You may have heard that because you’re eating less, it’s harder to build muscle after a gastric sleeve. For one, you’re likely to be more anemic, so while you might lose weight, you’re also more likely to be weak and fatigued.
This makes it harder to train, which can lead to less muscle gain. In addition, the lower caloric intake is probably also affecting your hormone levels, and this has been shown to negatively affect muscle growth.
Can You Lift Weights After Surgery?
After gastric sleeve surgery, you can lift very light weights. This is not the time to focus on muscle-building exercises. Instead, you should focus on weight training to build back the muscle mass you lost during the surgery.
It is important to note that lifting very light weights will not help you build muscle, as the muscle cells you are lifting are too small to receive a sufficient amount of protein. Therefore, it is recommended that you build your strength by lifting heavier weights.
How to Effectively Build Muscle After a Gastric Sleeve Operation?
There are several strategies you can use to build muscle, whether you’ve had a gastric sleeve or not, and the key is to find a training program that works for you and that is suited to your specific fitness level and goals.
Be sure to give yourself enough time to make progress, which means at least eight to 12 weeks. This is also a great time to assess your diet habits and make changes as necessary. Start with a clean, empty diet. This will allow you to determine if you need to make any adjustments.
In addition, you want to be starting with a diet that you can continue, which is much easier to do when you’ve started with fresh, clean ingredients.
How Long After Gastric Sleeve Can I Do Sit-Ups?
After gastric sleeve surgery, you should be able to do sit-ups within 14 days of the procedure. While the majority of your body weight will be supported by your abdominal muscles, some of it will be supported by your hip and back muscles, too. Sit-ups, therefore, can trigger mild muscle soreness, which will subside in a few days.
Can Your Stomach Expand Again After Gastric Sleeve?
In many cases, stomach expansion isn’t possible. This is because the surgery cuts out the nerves that tell your stomach when it’s full, so even trying to make your stomach bigger isn’t possible. In addition, the scar tissue that forms in the region is very hard to break down and can make stomach expansion even more challenging.
However, there are some cases in which the surgeon can allow you to have a third surgery to expand your stomach. This is done by cutting out a smaller piece of the stomach and then sewing it back together. This is called a Roux-en-Y operation.
Bottom Line
Gastric sleeve surgery may be an option for you if you’d like to lose weight but don’t want to adopt a strict diet plan or exercise routine. Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most effective weight loss options available today. It can help you lose weight and keep it off.
After you have undergone gastric sleeve surgery, you will consume less food. You will also need to exercise more and consume protein supplements. However, you will still be able to build muscle and strength.
Although it’s certainly possible to build muscle after a gastric sleeve, it can be challenging. There are a few strategies you can try, though, including maintaining a clean diet, getting enough rest, and training frequently to help you reach your goals.
More From Fithealthyweightloss: