Necessary to take PWO shake when first coming back from surgery?

[Tommy Gunn]

What's up guys. I'm returning to the gym in a couple weeks after coming back from 4 surgeries I had in the past 8 months. For those of you who would like, you can see my timeline and history of events (surgeries) here:

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=274744

Anyway, according to my docs protocol, in a couple weeks I will be returning to the gym but I will be starting out VERY light. I'm talking like 5 lbs. dumbell presses and every few weeks moving up in weight.

When I used to be healthy (pre injury) and lifting, after every workout I would have a PWO shake consisting of 50 g of whey (Isopure) and 100 g of dextrose. And I think that helped me because I was putting up some decent poundages and I needed that PWO shake.

Here's my question, is it necessary for me to take a PWO shake when I first return to the gym? Here's what I'm afraid of: that when I first come back, the first couple of months my lifts will be so light (5 lbs dumbell presses, etc.) that the PWO shake won't contribute to muscle repair...but fat gain. I'm afraid that the 50 g of protein and (especially) the 100 g of dex will be unecessary at this time and will lead to me becoming very fat.

Am I wrong? Should I hold off on taking the PWO shake for the first couple of months...or would the PWO shake help me in my healing of my injury and help me to rebuild and get back some of my muscle?

If you guys don't mind, could you please help me out with this. Thanks in advance fellas.

[onehundredk]

maybe a low dose...or just one shake a day for awhile...if your not doing running either your gonna get a nice belly for the winter time...glad to hear your gettin back into the gym...ill read up on your hospital experience in a few..

[hardgainer12]

a protein shake isnt going to make you fat. that would be like not eating a chicken breast becuz u will get fat. and i really hope ur not doing 5lb presses. that was just an example right?

[Tommy Gunn]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I was talking specifically about a PWO shake though. I'm debating if it will help me or hurt me at this point.

And hardgainer12, yes I am talking about 5 lbs dumbell presses. I had 4 surgeries in the last 8 months and my last one was only 5 weeks ago. Please read the post I linked and you will see why this may not seem so strange to you. (By the way I used to hit 110 lbs. dumbells for sets of 4...all natural, not even taking creatine. So it wasn't like I was always a weakling )

A ruptured pec is something I wouldn't wish on anybody.

But the question still stands, should I take a PWO shake when I first come back?

[onehundredk]

if your drinking 3-4 protein shakes a day like myself and others on here...ya youll get fat...most protein shakes are high carb with some fat in it...i myself take myoplex deluxe and orginal...you guys might have different opinions...but you can get fat off this stuff if your not working out enough...ive gotten a belly from 2 a day with 20 min cardio everyday...now i do 1 hour cardio 3-4 shakes a day...

to my point= if your only drinkin one shake a day, then PWO will be good.

[Tommy Gunn]

I was planning (in addition to my solid food meals) having 2 shakes a day. One will be a PWO shake (50 g whey and 100 g dextrose) and the other will be a bed time shake of 50 g slow acting protein and 15 g of flax oil.

[onehundredk]

you should be fine...with that then...depending on when your workout is...my work out is at night...so my PWO is my bedtime shake...but ya, that should do it...

[kman]

if your drinking 3-4 protein shakes a day like myself and others on here...ya youll get fat...most protein shakes are high carb with some fat in it...i myself take myoplex deluxe and orginal...you guys might have different opinions...but you can get fat off this stuff if your not working out enough...ive gotten a belly from 2 a day with 20 min cardio everyday...now i do 1 hour cardio 3-4 shakes a day...

to my point= if your only drinkin one shake a day, then PWO will be good.

Is your goal to gain weight? If not protein shakes should not be making you fat. Your macros might be off!! Also 3-4 shakes is way too much IMO. Real food is ideal, unless you are on a heavy bulk and just pounding shakes in to get the extra calories.

[kman]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I was talking specifically about a PWO shake though. I'm debating if it will help me or hurt me at this point.

And hardgainer12, yes I am talking about 5 lbs dumbell presses. I had 4 surgeries in the last 8 months and my last one was only 5 weeks ago. Please read the post I linked and you will see why this may not seem so strange to you. (By the way I used to hit 110 lbs. dumbells for sets of 4...all natural, not even taking creatine. So it wasn't like I was always a weakling )

A ruptured pec is something I wouldn't wish on anybody.

But the question still stands, should I take a PWO shake when I first come back?

Bro, I would go with real food PWO. Its not like your are going to be pouding heavy weights right away, so ease into it. You could go either way, it probably won't make a difference. Goodluck coming back, I have been there and its tough, just start back slow, and just maybe lower your macros PWO, since your workouts won't be that crazy.