Sleep Apnea Surgery Losing Muscle?

ForTheFam

Diagnosed w/ Obstructed Sleep Apnea, two tests showed that a CPAP or BiPAP wouldn't do the trick. Went to the ENT and had surgery completed on my septum and part of my soft pallet removed. Hopefully this will help give my body the rest is deserves and my wife too.

It has been 10 days since the surgery and I have a sore throat and difficulty swallowing but getting better each day. I finally get to lay down in bed and seem to be getting a better nights sleep though time will tell. Apparently my snoring is almost nonexistent.

The good/bad of this is I can only eat soft foods at best. I can't even get close to 1200 quality calories. I'm not allowed to exercise for another week. I've been drinking meal replacement shakes and water and inching my way back into the game.

I'm concerned that I am dropping weight too quickly (10lbs since surgery) and enjoying the results. If I am consuming above my daily quota of protein w/o exercise am I losing muscle?

HEATHERB500

Consuming above the normal quota of protein is good it will help you heal and preserve muscle mass. You also need to be taking in vitamin C which also helps with the healing. When your body is heeling you metabolic rate is slightly elevated and if there is no carb or fat to use for energy you will start to break down the muscle. You will lose some of the muscle but the great thing is is that you will gain it back quickly. You do need to consume at least 1200 calories while healing. I don't know what your BMR is but that is really what you need to consume until you are fully healed. Otherwise you are just prolonging being able to get back to regular workouts. Consuming less will affect your recovery time. Some ideas would be to add a greek yougurt to your existing shakes. Even a 1/2 cup of frozen yougurt won't hurt right now. Also peanut or other nut butters if you are not allergic can be blended in too and add good fat and protein. Just remember that vitamin C is equally important for healing.

Almost done with RN degree and I have taken a bunch of nutrition and physical fitness classes.

ForTheFam

Wonderful advice. I didn't consider vitamin C as part of my recovery. I bought yogurt yesterday so I'll give it try to increase my calorie intake...just enjoy the scale messages too much. But...need to get back on track. Thanks again.