Bodybuilder’s strict high-protein diet left his bowel twisted

Bodybuilder, 34, is forced to undergo life-saving surgery after his strict high-protein diet left his bowel twisted

  • Doctors said Sean Tierney’s abdominal pains were caused by high-protein diet
  • The 34-year-old from Hull, East Yorkshire, had to undergo life-saving surgery
  • Despite his near-miss, Mr Tierney has continued to take part in competitions

A bodybuilder was forced to undergo life-saving surgery after his bowel began twisting because of his strict diet.

Sean Tierney, 34, from Hull in East Yorkshire, had taken part in his first body building competition when he fell ill and was taken to hospital with severe abdominal pains. 

Doctors said his symptoms were caused by his excessive high-protein intake, but when they started to treat him for appendicitis they found his bowel was starting to twist.

Sean Tierney, 34, from Hull in East Yorkshire, was taken to hospital with severe abdominal pains

The 34-year-old, who has regularly exercised for around 11 years, decided to take up bodybuilding after being inspired by other gym-goers

Mr Tierney started competing in body building competitions in April 2017 and was 'in the best shape of his life' and achieved fourth place in his first competition when he needed the surgery

Mr Tierney had taken part in his first bodybuilding competition and came in fourth place before he was taken ill

Mr Tierney started competing in bodybuilding competitions in April 2017 and was ‘in the best shape of his life’ and achieved fourth place in his first competition.

The 34-year-old decided to take up bodybuilding after being inspired by other gym-goers.

He said: ‘I used to go just for fitness for a couple of times a week and saw people who were bigger and stronger than me and I wanted to look like that.

‘I asked the current Mr Universe to train me – he is the best bodybuilder in the UK – and he gave me advice and told me about meal prepping all online.’

Just before the competition, Mr Tierney started to feel a ‘bit of discomfort’ in his stomach and his doctor told him eat more fibre and lower his protein intake.  

He said: ‘The doctor said the protein was an issue because I needed to increase my fibre.

‘It was to do with the amount of protein I was having and the fact I was on a strict diet for the first time in my life and my body was not used to it.’ 

He added: ‘After the competition I was having really bad contractions and pains in my stomach and I had to call an ambulance. They thought I had appendicitis and said that because of all of the bodybuilding they could make a small cut above the appendix and when they put me to sleep they found out I had a twisted bowl.

‘They had to take everything out, sort the mess out and sew it up again. I had to have 43 staples but the doctors said I was very, very lucky not to need a colostomy bag.’

Doctors said his symptoms were caused by his excessive high-protein intake, but when they started to treat him for appendicitis they found his bowel was starting to twist

Doctors said his symptoms were caused by his excessive high-protein intake, but when they started to treat him for appendicitis they found his bowel was starting to twist

Six months later, Mr Tierney was back on stage competing in a strongman competition

Six months later, Mr Tierney was back on stage competing in a strongman competition

After two and a half weeks recovering, Mr Tierney lost 2st. He said: ‘I was very, very lucky. They told me I wasn’t allowed to do any heavy lifting or go to the gym until after six months.’

Six months later, Mr Tierney was back on stage competing in a strongman competition, but said he ‘didn’t get to where he wanted to be.’

He said: ‘The doctors thought I wouldn’t be able to compete again but I wanted to do it for myself. I was stubborn and wanted to be back on stage because I felt so rubbish in myself. I’d lost all of my muscle and had to build it all back up again.’

He has since returned to training and will enter a bodybuilding competition in three weeks time.   

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