Hi there Jesse. I'll answer your questions on the j-pouch forum. Well - I started lifting too heavy too fast after my takedown. As you could see in the video I developed an incisional hernia which I eventually needed surgery to repair. My point in the video was not about how much mass I could put on or how strong I could get because everyone is different in that regard. As far as advice on putting on mass or strength, you'd be better off to ask questions in a bodybuilding or powerlifting forum. My purpose in the video was to show that - if you have a good j-pouch outcome - you can do anything just like a normal person with regards to athletics, heavy lifting, and very strenuous activity. Since that time and up until today, when I lift, I push myself to my absolute limit (I'm talking eyes bugging out and veins popping out of my neck!) and I've never had any problems as far as my intestines go. Of course I've had other problems such as tearing my pec off, ripping both hamstrings many many times, tearing my right quad off etc...lol. But I never even realize I have a j-pouch unless someone like you asks me about it and reminds me. Now - do I know that my j-pouch won't explode one day during a heavy lift? No I don't and I can't say something like that would not happen to someone else. All I relate to you is my personal experience. For the last 9 years I have done at-the-limit lifting with a j-pouch and have never had any j-pouch related problems. Even if I were to take months off from lifting and turn into a slug, the first time I went back into a gym I'd probably lift as heavy as I can. It's what I'm used to mostly because I'm too lazy to do high reps and sets. I'd rather max out once and then go home and have a burger.
I have had 2 difficulties with my j-pouch during the first couple years but they've been resolved:
The first problem: Intestinal obstructions and difficulty passing foods like lettuce.
The solution: When my surgeon repaired my hernia, he also cut away the adhesions in my intestines and put down a barrier to prevent further adhesions.
The outcome: For the last 7 years I've had no obstructions. I eat anything and everything including lettuce, salads, mushrooms, and things that would have killed me before the slippery barrier was put down between my intestines.
The second problem: I had pouchitis 3 times in the first two years after takedown.
The solution: I stopped taking nsaids like aspirin and ibuprofin.
The outcome: No pouchitis for the last 7 years.
In addition, during the first two years I thought about my j-pouch a lot. I used probiotics and electrolyte drinks. I haven't used electrolyte drinks or probiotics for seven years and I've had no problems. I drink diet soda (and water sometimes). I don't remember I have a j-pouch anymore unless someone asks me about it.
My diet is garbage. I've live on meat and diet soda and pretty much have for the last 25 years.
If I were to guess why I have had such a positive experience with my j-pouch, I would say it was the surgeon. I'm sure that the skill of the surgeon is probably the biggest factor in the quality of life of someone with a j-pouch. I had Dr. Parsons out of Oregon. He was a real miracle worker and I feel that I owe my life to his skill.
As far as putting on weight - I find that I put on weight much faster and easier with a j-pouch than I did with UC. I'm not sure why - perhaps because of the constant bleeding and being sick. The truth is that I wish I absorbed LESS of the nutrients that I consume instead of more. I literally have to eat close to nothing in order to maintain weight. If I eat 2 moderate sized meals in a day I will easily gain a pound in one day. I really hate that because I LOVE to cook and I LOVE to eat. So nutrient absorption is not a problem for me. I'm not sure why some people have difficulty putting on weight with a j-pouch. My understanding is that almost all your calories are absorbed by your small intestines and your colon didn't do much except absorb water and electrolytes. So it seems to me that after having your colon out, you'd be able to put on weight easier because you aren't sick and bleeding all the time any more. Anyway, everyone's experience is different but my experience is: putting on weight is much easier now than it was when I was sick with a diseased colon.
Regards.
My name is Jesse .. and I have a jpouch like you. I has my take down a year ago and have been in moderate form trying to get some weight on. I saw your video on YouTube and I have to say, WOW !! How did you put on so much mass in 8 months? I was told to take small steps working out the first year after take down. What does your diet consist of? I'll probably never get as big as you but would like to put some extra pounds on. I would love to get some info from you if possible. Thank you for making me feel like there's hope and thank you for your time.