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[NotTall84]

The obvious is to follow doctor's orders and do PT, but what about diet?

High protein intake, no alcohol, limited sugar.

Probably things like consume dairy products. Take vitamins and minerals. Maybe supplement with things like ginger and piperine for increased nutrient uptake.

Any thing else? 

[zaozari]

Calcium and magnesium for bones (taken at different times and at meal time because they compete for absorption in the intestine); vitamin D for calcium absorption  (and sunlight!); iron for blood to bone and general tissue supply; home tapper water (good hydration is beneficial and also guarantees enough fluor for bones); and a varied diet (for example for protein, besides dairy products, eggs, meat and fish are useful).
Literature sometimes suggest adding further supplements such as omega 3 and glucosamine.

[zaozari]

I'm sorry there's a mistake in the post above (memory's failure...).
There's no clear evidence that magnesium competes with calcium. It's iron absorption that may be inhibited by calcium. According to a quick but good source review, this may be avoided by taking iron at meals preferably with vitamin C intake also (strawberries would be great!). Calcium supplements should be taken at diferent times, some studies suggest at bed time.

[NotTall84]

Calcium competes with zinc. I have read that 1500mg of calcium is a good amount for bone healing, while 1000mg is the RDA here in America for men.

[zaozari]

You're wrong and aren't helping here.
Beforehand, zinc didn't matter for the explanation, I didn't talk about it and it's not included in most "crucial" indications for bone healing altough every recognized human nutrient is important.
Second, zinc only inhibits calcium absorption if calcium intake is very very low, while, at the same time, zinc own absorption can be inhibited by fiber, phytates and large amounts of iron (NO important competition observed or demonstrated with calcium).
Third, I could add for example that copper also competes and, in my field of knowledge, develop the subject much further. I didn't intend to write a Biology or Clinical Nutrition book. A lot of information and "heard about" only adds confusion and less practical utility.
Fourth, these issues are still not scientifically definitively closed and there are "nuances", strange sometimes. For example, low amounts of zinc are better absorbed than large ones. There are many doubts and sometimes contradictory data depending on diet, ingredients of the meals, time of meals, each person, etc. But the current consensus in textbooks is that zinc doesn't impair calcium absorption whatsoever.
Your comment about zinc and lazzily quoting "what you've heard" are poor, even negative, instead of small but solid contributions here.
Why for example didn't you make a small search instead about which form of calcium is best absorbed? Citrate? Carbonate? ....? Or just keep mouth shuted if you don't know anything about biology or nutrition and don't even bother to search and evaluate sources instead of bringing confusion about a post, for respect and consideration for the forum you are visiting? Everyone is free to speak here and doesn't need to be a scientist. But if you disagree at least know why and explain it.

[NotTall84]

im not arguing, i appreciate the info. i posted this to learn  more about proper nutrition for when i get LL surgery. thank you for your help. please, if you have any more info or tips, they would be appreciated.

so far, my general vitamin+ mineral intake is:

1500mg calcium from various sources, usually 600mg supplemental, rest from food.
zinc 13mg from supplements and some from food sources like nuts and hemp protein
magnesium 400-600mg, food and magnesium ascorbate
vitamin D - 5000iu a day
vitamin C - 1 gram a day from supplements, i dont monitor food intake of C.

I get other minerals like boron, silica and manganese from foods like raisins and green beans, but I have been thinking about adding more supplements.  My protein intake is roughly 100grams a day. I weight 200lbs at 5'8-5'9. I should probably eat more protein but it is hard.

[zaozari]

im not arguing, i appreciate the info. i posted this to learn  more about proper nutrition for when i get LL surgery. thank you for your help. please, if you have any more info or tips, they would be appreciated.

so far, my general vitamin+ mineral intake is:

1500mg calcium from various sources, usually 600mg supplemental, rest from food.
zinc 13mg from supplements and some from food sources like nuts and hemp protein
magnesium 400-600mg, food and magnesium ascorbate
vitamin D - 5000iu a day
vitamin C - 1 gram a day from supplements, i dont monitor food intake of C.

I get other minerals like boron, silica and manganese from foods like raisins and green beans, but I have been thinking about adding more supplements.  My protein intake is roughly 100grams a day. I weight 200lbs at 5'8-5'9. I should probably eat more protein but it is hard.

I haven't established yet a more "disciplined" or organized plan on this for when I do LL and of course it should be adjusted with our doctors, although some don't provide any special support on this. When I do that I will share it here just as a contribution, it won't be any scientific universal prescription! And it would always need some individual adaptation.

However, don't worry too much about it. You don't need for example to monitor your food intake of vitamin C (plus this would be an additional source of stress). Zinc is crucial for normal physiology but not  to care specifically for bone. Boron is a "good idea" for bone, sometimes forgotten.
The main thing is really to assure the more varied diet as possible with three "nuances" as I learned:

1) a bit more of general quantity of food and caloric intake (if you are losing apetite or weight specially, but avoiding getting fat even before surgery).

2) adding a bit more of protein (meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, vegan protein as in beans). Maybe supplements of aminoacids also (?).

3) taking some supplements without exaggeration.  All nutrients tend to be best absorbed in their natural food sources. Some exceptions occur for example in a meal with too much "greens" who have phytates and fiber which may "retain" some nutrients across its way in the intestine. On the other hand, due to those phenomena of absorption competition and other issues, probably the multivitamin pills are not the best solution. For each of the more important nutrients for bone we should carefully seek information about. For example,  it's now well established that good sources or pills of iron are best to take together with vitamin C (in food particularly). Calcium is indicated by some in the literature to be taken at bed time without much food together. A varied diet also assures good intake of vitamin D (dairy products again for example) which is crucial for successful calcium absorption in the intestine. Vitamin D is not water soluble, which means it should be ingested from some fatty foods like normal milk or butter without fat excess. A supplement of vitamin D in adequately coated pills may help on that.

[zaozari]

VETERANS and CURRENT LLers PLEASE contribute:
Could you, all those who are doing or have already done LL, share your experiences regarding what advice you received from doctors on this (both diet and supplements), what was you own "plan", if you lose apetitte or gained weight instead, etc.?

[DonBones]

The obvious is to follow doctor's orders and do PT, but what about diet?

High protein intake, no alcohol, limited sugar.

Probably things like consume dairy products. Take vitamins and minerals. Maybe supplement with things like ginger and piperine for increased nutrient uptake.

Any thing else?

As far as nutrition goes, Betz advises the following:

1. No alcohol
2. No smoking
3. No fizzy drinks
4. A varied diet to give your body all nutrients that are needed (you can look these up)

Food supplements are prescribed initially to compensate for the fact that you will have reduced appetite following surgery and while you're on meds. After lengthening food supplements are unnecessary if point number 4 is met. Vitamin D is the only exception, of course.

[ilovescience]

As far as nutrition goes, Betz advises the following:

1. No alcohol
2. No smoking
3. No fizzy drinks
4. A varied diet to give your body all nutrients that are needed (you can look these up)

Food supplements are prescribed initially to compensate for the fact that you will have reduced appetite following surgery and while you're on meds. After lengthening food supplements are unnecessary if point number 4 is met. Vitamin D is the only exception, of course.

Fizzy drinks, like coke and anything that has bubbles?

[NotTall84]

I haven't established yet a more "disciplined" or organized plan on this for when I do LL and of course it should be adjusted with our doctors, although some don't provide any special support on this. When I do that I will share it here just as a contribution, it won't be any scientific universal prescription! And it would always need some individual adaptation.

However, don't worry too much about it. You don't need for example to monitor your food intake of vitamin C (plus this would be an additional source of stress). Zinc is crucial for normal physiology but not  to care specifically for bone. Boron is a "good idea" for bone, sometimes forgotten.
The main thing is really to assure the more varied diet as possible with three "nuances" as I learned:

1) a bit more of general quantity of food and caloric intake (if you are losing apetite or weight specially, but avoiding getting fat even before surgery).

2) adding a bit more of protein (meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, vegan protein as in beans). Maybe supplements of aminoacids also (?).

3) taking some supplements without exaggeration.  All nutrients tend to be best absorbed in their natural food sources. Some exceptions occur for example in a meal with too much "greens" who have phytates and fiber which may "retain" some nutrients across its way in the intestine. On the other hand, due to those phenomena of absorption competition and other issues, probably the multivitamin pills are not the best solution. For each of the more important nutrients for bone we should carefully seek information about. For example,  it's now well established that good sources or pills of iron are best to take together with vitamin C (in food particularly). Calcium is indicated by some in the literature to be taken at bed time without much food together. A varied diet also assures good intake of vitamin D (dairy products again for example) which is crucial for successful calcium absorption in the intestine. Vitamin D is not water soluble, which means it should be ingested from some fatty foods like normal milk or butter without fat excess. A supplement of vitamin D in adequately coated pills may help on that.

Thank you for the info. I recently learned that foods liek spinach actually are not that great a source of calcium. All this time I thought I was doing good by eating huge mouthfuls of spinach through-out the day 🤣. I think my shorter stature is due to bad nutrition as a youth. Always underweight and underfed. I am 200lbs now which is overweight but I have put on a lot of muscle. At one time, i was 130lbs, about a few years ago. Stress and anxiety basically destroyed my desire to eat. I am now trying hard to get my nutrition right but it is still a challenge. I find whey protein to be a good way to get protein in when not hungry.

If I may pick your brain a bit, what do you think about GH peptides and things like GABA and Alpha-GPC to boost GH before and after surgery. Would they help with recovery and bone strength you think? A lot of guys at the gym I go to take peptides and supplements like SNS Growth Factor XT. 

[NotTall84]

Fizzy drinks, like coke and anything that has bubbles?

You have complete the surgery and recovery right? Anything special you did? Did you drink a lot of milk and eat a ton of meat?

[zaozari]

Thank you for the info. I recently learned that foods liek spinach actually are not that great a source of calcium. All this time I thought I was doing good by eating huge mouthfuls of spinach through-out the day 🤣. I think my shorter stature is due to bad nutrition as a youth. Always underweight and underfed. I am 200lbs now which is overweight but I have put on a lot of muscle. At one time, i was 130lbs, about a few years ago. Stress and anxiety basically destroyed my desire to eat. I am now trying hard to get my nutrition right but it is still a challenge. I find whey protein to be a good way to get protein in when not hungry.

If I may pick your brain a bit, what do you think about GH peptides and things like GABA and Alpha-GPC to boost GH before and after surgery. Would they help with recovery and bone strength you think? A lot of guys at the gym I go to take peptides and supplements like SNS Growth Factor XT.

Unfortunately as far as I have read, the so called ''precursors'' or ''stimulants'' of GH production just don't work, despite the very optimistic and agressive advertisement and what guys take to the gym. But GH itself really contributes to bone growth and consolidation. Doctors are often afraid of prescribing it because hormonal system has a very narrow balance of interactions and also GH may have secondary effects (less severe: little nose and ears growth...). If a person doesn't have problems of consolidation he/she doesn't really need artificial suplementation of GH. But in my case for example, not young anymore, I will try to explore and ask about that option since the first consultation (GH injections).

What you may want to try to complete your diet is Whey protein but never take it as a substitute of natural protein from real food.

Regarding calcium, one should chose, according what he's eating, time of ingestion and other factors, either calcium citrate or calcium carbonate.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/choosing-a-calcium-supplement

Still regarding calcium, I quote:
''Vitamin D is the most significant nutrient for the proper absorption of calcium. Vitamin D and calcium work together to slow down or even reverse osteoporosis. Vitamin D is essential in helping the body absorb and use calcium; in fact, the body cannot absorb calcium at all without some vitamin D''.

And then, again, let's not forget magnesium and iron. It seems bone also likes a bit of boron :-)
There are other ''suggestions'' of useful supplements for bone but with no real demonstration so far.


 

[zaozari]

Since this topic here shifted mainly to supplements' issues and I found out there's a pinned, older, more extensive topic just about that, I am moving my contributions to the subject there:

http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=1785.0

[zaozari]

Thank you for the info. I recently learned that foods liek spinach actually are not that great a source of calcium. All this time I thought I was doing good by eating huge mouthfuls of spinach through-out the day 🤣. I think my shorter stature is due to bad nutrition as a youth. Always underweight and underfed. I am 200lbs now which is overweight but I have put on a lot of muscle. At one time, i was 130lbs, about a few years ago. Stress and anxiety basically destroyed my desire to eat. I am now trying hard to get my nutrition right but it is still a challenge. I find whey protein to be a good way to get protein in when not hungry.

If I may pick your brain a bit, what do you think about GH peptides and things like GABA and Alpha-GPC to boost GH before and after surgery. Would they help with recovery and bone strength you think? A lot of guys at the gym I go to take peptides and supplements like SNS Growth Factor XT.

Despite my first answer I noticed there's already at least one article mentioning that GABA  (do not confuse with gabapentin!) may in fact contribute to synthesis of GH acting in skeletal muscle (not referred if in bone also). The effect depends on some variables. If I can reference the article, I will put it in the "main" topic about supplementation.

http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=1785.0

[NotTall84]

Despite my first answer I noticed there's already at least one article mentioning that GABA  (do not confuse with gabapentin!) may in fact contribute to synthesis of GH acting in skeletal muscle (not referred if in bone also). The effect depends on some variables. If I can reference the article, I will put it in the "main" topic about supplementation.

http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=1785.0

This is good to know. I've taken GABA before for sleep purposes and it helps, but I needed a lot. About 5 grams and upon waking, I'd feel groggy for a bit. I think after LL, it would be helpful for sleep, but maybe the grogginess may lead to a bad fall or something since we'd be in already compromised condition.