"Hi, my name is Joe I am 23. First I wanted to tell you a little about me and then I have a couple questions. So a year ago this coming December I decided that it was time to start taking care of myself so I decided to make a lifestyle change and loose the weight I had been carrying around for year and gain healthy eating and fitness habits. My height6'3.5 and I weighed in at 380+ pounds I say plus because I didn't weigh myself right away. So over this past year I have lost 150 lbs and leaned out to a 12% body fat and have been maintaining this weight since July. I have truly made this a part of my life now and I can say that I have never been happier. My question lies in the amount of skin I have left over from all the weight I lost. I have come to terms that no matter the amount of time I give myself or what I do the only way to get to a place I could have been if I hadn't lost weight are though reconstructive surgery. So I have done a ton of research and found someone who specializes on reconstructive surgery that I have scheduled a surgery with on December the 3rd......The same week I started this journey a year ago. (I thought that was kind of unique) So my question is what should I do in my time off from being active I am getting a body lift so I can't do any exercise for two months. What should my diet and supplements look like while I'm off training? I hope it's not too hard I have been weight training six days a week for the past four months and now nothing so I know my diet will need to change and was wondering about the supplements. Also skin care for my scar and sin in general is a big question of mine is there something I could include in my supplement routine now and what can I do after the surgery. Basically any additional advice on scar care would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks Joe "

"any recommendations for a weight gain supp or pro drink w/ lots of calories that works ? i am hiv and although my #'s alot better ( 2yrs now) my buff won't return. I went too long on the downslide, now my body seems to have lost its weight "setpoint" I used to go to gym and put it back on. that no longer works. I use whey protein, oil and banana shakes, lots of nuts, cashews etc. i live on peanut butter. Also chichen, fish,rice, and homemade protein,choc/oatmeal cookies-- ensure for creamer in my coffee..so its not a diet problem-- could i still be burning it off faster than i put it in ? i saw your recomm to eat evry 2-3 hrs. I lift weights 2+ x a week , wear ankle weights while doing chores,and i do look more developed/ defined, but still no weight. ensure and boost taste good but not effective. thanks "

01/02/2011

chris: The hiv + guy should have his testosterone checked. Chances are it's off and it's causing some issues with the ability to put on mass. Hormone replacement therapy is fairly typical as part of the approach for hiv treatment. Once testosterone levels are for sure within a more normal range, he could also look at adding human growth hormone.

11/27/2010

Joe : Thanks all of this helped and I got alot of my questions answered at my preop last week. Thanks again!

11/23/2010

Rob Atlanta: Joe got some good nutrition and supplement advice, but he should talk to his doctor about his activity levels. It will probably be a graduated course in activity. His best bet is to be as active as his physical comfort and doctor allow such as walking, swimming, going up and down stairs, anything to keep his metabolism high with low impact because he definitely does not need to do something that jiggles or bounces his skin. If you watch video of someone running or jumping in slow motion, you will easily see how skin moves even on someone who appears to have firm, tight skin. It moves.