Yes, it is true. Watch this YouTube video and you will be truly amazed. Seeing is believing. Just to show you that a j-pouch does not prevent you from doing much of anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDoujZ1K8ww

Jan

That's our own "curious" member in action.

Do you think there's any danger of damage to the j-pouch, such as prolapse, due to the huge loads? I've already told him it scares me (and THAT'S why I choose not to lift so much ).

Ah, so this is a member!

Scares me big time, but I don't think the risks are that high. The primary risks would be for incisional hernias, but as you see, he wears a stout support belt and he is careful in his lifting form (using mostly upper body and legs in the lifting) to avoid abdominal and/or back injury. You are more likely to cause prolapse straining at stool than by heavy lifting, but of course, there is undoubtedly increased internal pressures in this instance. I might worry more about bursting a blood vessel somewhere.

Obviously, this is not something you do without an enormous amount of training and skill. In my best days as a hospital nurse, the best I could lift was 200 pounds or so. Of course, I never did weight training and have always been what I would consider "soft."

Jan

He is certainly inspirational! I go to the gym about 4 days a week and I try to be careful not to cause a hernia or anything else, but there really are no guidelines about these things for j-pouchers as far as I know.

I remember a few years back there was a member on here who played pro football in the NFL. Whatever happened to him?

You're probably thinking of Chris Gedney, who played with the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears. He has since retired from football.

Jan

I sure wish I felt well enough to go to the gym! I am so amazed when I see others who still do the things they like to do without the issues I deal with. I am hoping to get my neuropathy under control so i can start walking without crippling myself afterwards!!!

My goal is to be able to spend a nice, sunny day at the easel at some mountain overlook without needing a restroom right there! Or to sleep through the night without leaking. . . .

Yeah, he is impressive. . . but I would be scared I'd break something inside!