Upcoming Surgery; Should I Continue to Lift Weights?

brandigyrl81

So I'm scheduled to have surgery on Jan 10. After surgery, I will not be allowed to workout for a month. I'm currently lifting weights now, as it's just something I do.


Should I continue to lift weights now, even though in about a month I will begin to lose the muscle I've built? I just feel like I'm wasting time at this point.

Azdak

It's not going to make a huge difference either way. If it is an orthopedic-related surgery, sometimes the right lifting exercises can help "prehab" the muscle and shorten the recovery. Otherwise, if the doc is OK with it, you might as well continue doing what you do.

The clock on detraining starts when you stop lifting, so continuing to lift until the surgery means you will have only 1 month to overcome rather than 2.

And you won't lose that much muscle in one month. Gaining actual muscle is a long-term process--losing it is longer-term as well. You'll notice a bigger drop in strength because that is mediated more by the nervous system and that is more of a short-term adaptation. But that will come back pretty quickly as well.

If you have been lifting regularly for awhile, then a month is not that big a deal-- I think you will see that you will regain any losses fairly quickly. (Although it may not feel that way the first day back ;-)

I would not be overly concerned, and I would recommend you keep lifting.

brandigyrl81

Azdak wrote: »

It's not going to make a huge difference either way. If it is an orthopedic-related surgery, sometimes the right lifting exercises can help "prehab" the muscle and shorten the recovery. Otherwise, if the doc is OK with it, you might as well continue doing what you do.

The clock on detraining starts when you stop lifting, so continuing to lift until the surgery means you will have only 1 month to overcome rather than 2.

And you won't lose that much muscle in one month. Gaining actual muscle is a long-term process--losing it is longer-term as well. You'll notice a bigger drop in strength because that is mediated more by the nervous system and that is more of a short-term adaptation. But that will come back pretty quickly as well.

If you have been lifting regularly for awhile, then a month is not that big a deal-- I think you will see that you will regain any losses fairly quickly. (Although it may not feel that way the first day back ;-)

I would not be overly concerned, and I would recommend you keep lifting.

Thank you! I feeling better about this now!

lorrpb

“Always weight train” if you are able. Besides all the other benefits, it will help you go into surgery in a better place and speed your recovery. Once you are able to work out after surgery, you’ll probably be back where you were in a few weeks. Hope all goes well, I know it’s not fun. 👍🏻💪🏻

ecjim

I just had abdoninal surgery on Nov 13 -It was planned in advance- I lifted up to the day of the surgery & increased the intensity a bit because I figured I was just going to be laying around for a while. Go into it in the best condition you can, a little extra body fat can be OK if you are lean.
I have started on the pink weights - a little bit, post op, but I'm careful not to put any strain on my abdominals - the incision is still too fresh

brandigyrl81

Thank you all for the advice.

ecjim

you are welcome - Good luck with the surgery

Theoldguy1

Unless the doctor tells you otherwise lift up to the day of the surgery. Heck, I lifted the day of a couple orthopedic surgeries I had.

As @Azdak says in some cases prehab can help your recovery, it did for me. Check with your doctor or physical therapist for any specific moves you should be doing.

Best of luck.

Run_Away_Turtle

As someone who has had surgery recently, less than 3 weeks ago, but who lifted 5 days out of the week, I can say not lifting is hard. It really is. But the muscle loss isn't as bad as I thought it might be.
Of course that doesn't mean I'm not counting down the days until I can start throwing the weights around again.
You'll be ok.

ecjim

Had a Dr appt today - 30 days post -op , abdominal surgery - The Doc gave me the OK to start lifting - squat , press , row, farmer's walk etc . I will be starting very light - the bar only, then progress from there , but I will start.

onematch

I would definitely continue lifting up until your surgery date. I had surgery 4 weeks ago, and followed my own advice. I'm back in the gym this weekend (can't wait!). I know I won't be where I was before surgery, but I will get there. Good luck to you!