lifting weights post NF

Hi guys :)

Today marks 6 weeks post op and I have to say, looking at the whole picture, recovery has been going smoothly (hopefully stays that way).

Anyway, my question may have been asked before but I wouldn't mind up to date information.

Has anyone returned to heavy weight training post op? What about contact sports like Judo/BJJ?

Obviously I'm still in the early stages of recovering from a major surgery, but just for future reference :)

Thanks for all the support I've got pre/post op. This forum is a great resource and community!

C

I have been doing cross fit for about a year. I started 3 months post op per my surgeon's ok. I hit it way too fast. I'm a year + out and I'm in yet another relapse of ab pain. I kept hitting brick walls with bloat and ab pain after workouts, then would be fine after backing off. My surgeon at first advised me that as long as I wasn't lifting 200 lbs (I'm only 5' tall btw), I'd be ok. At the year follow up, he told me I needed to be careful or I could undo the whole thing. Well I'm sitting here after another brick wall and I'm afraid I injured something.
Bottom line is you're never going to be power lifting after a nissen. The most vulnerable spot is in the upper abs and around your solar plexis.

Depending on your age and if you were into heavy lifting before, my best advice from a year of experience is TAKE IT SLOW. Don't rush it. Listen to your gut, literally. If your gut bloats or is painful, rest. Don't go back until you have little to zero gut pain. Then take it slow. Make sure you stretch, but do that slowly also. I'm a former female body builder who is now in my 50s and my age and this stupid nissen have forced me to back off considerably.

I just realized my response sounds pretty negative. I'm sure you'll do fine as long as you listen to your gut. However, the saying "no pain no gain" does not apply here.

Post Edited (1 day at a time) : 4/23/2014 7:58:37 AM (GMT-6)

I would check with your surgeon before doing any weight training. My personal experience may not be the norm. This past year has been a pretty rough recovery for me personally. I would be very careful starting back, however.