Surgery & Nutrition

[bighoss]

My Fellow Bodybuilders:

On May 26, 2004 I had reconstructive shoulder surgery due to several dislocations and subluxations, a result of several years of water polo and swimming. Post-high school I bulked up from 5'10", 140 lbs to 220 lbs in a year, then added another 15 lbs, bring me to 235 lbs, 12% body fat (I was bulking remember ). I had been right on track with my goals, and then my shoulders (yes, plural) started acting up. After another serious dislocation this past spring, I decided to have them repaired by my own volition, in addition to the suggestion from my orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. Anyhow, it's been a few months now, and I am still on the path toward FULL recovery. However, I will be undergoing the same surgery on my left shoulder this coming December 2004.

The question I have for you is this: WHAT DO I DO IN THE MEAN TIME? Since Summer 2003, I have lost about 50 lbs. I am still 5'10", but I weigh 187 lbs, and am legitimately 5% body fat (a lean one, I know). I have been doing some running, which I hate, and going to physical therapy twice a week per doctor's orders. My PT has me doing sweet stuff for my shoulder, but not much else. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what you think I should do between now and June 2005 (the projected date for going back to lifting)? What would you suggest for my diet? I have been using a low-carb/good-carb approach considering I do not need the extra carbs for bulking, etc. I cannot weight train, as I mentioned, until June 2005, but any suggestions otherwise would help. FYI: I am taking a good multi-vitamin daily, eating plenty of protein, watching bad fat intake, watching my carbs, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Please help a brother out. Thanks!

 

[buck]

Frosty's post is what I have basically used after my surgeries. Is your Dr a sport's med orthopedic surgeon or just an ortho surgeon. I just ask cause that seems like a long time off. Did you have your shoulder rebuilt? I had 2 rotator muscles reattached and a ruptured biceps taken crae of along with a couple little things due to dislocations etc. and was out for 10 weeks. Of course I started back very light. Only went to therapy every couple of weeks( for evaluation) as they new I was doing the excersices daily on my own and strecching repeatedly through out the day. I kept training the one arm that I could with hammer strenght etc. to keep some of the size and nerves functioning on the injured side.

 

[bighoss]

Thanks for the input you guys have given me. Regarding the type of surgery I had, I am not quite sure. I know that they had to remove broken pieces of cartilage (possibly bone, I believe) from my shoulder area. In addition, they had to put (what I call) "anchors" inside of my arm, along with stapes of some sort. I had about seven dislocations/subluxations on each shoulder. Lately I have been doing more at my physical therapist. For instance, today I did "pull-ups" and "dips" on a Total Gym machine. (Wow, I really miss doing real pull-ups and dips.) They have me doing A LOT for my shoulders. It's been going well.

To be honest, Buck, I think you are right about the recovery time. It seems that it has taken exceptionally long. I think it might have something to do with the physical therapist I had. The one that I had over the summer was big on being very gentle, progressing slowly, etc. I went back down to school this August, and my new PT down here has been much more aggressive with my recovery. He has me doing more volume, which is what I would agree it needs.

Thanks for your input, again. The article was pretty good that you gave me, Frosty; thanks. I have been taking a good multi daily (Animal Pak; love it). I suppose I should add Glutamine and the other Aminos listed.

Lemme push the question a little further: what sort of Caloric breakdown would anyone suggest for post-surgery? What sort of training program? Should I get into Pilates, considering my doctor (who is an orthopedic and sports medicine doctor) does not want me to get back into the weights to fast/too hard? I know you may cringe or laugh at Pilates, but I GOTTA DO SOMETHING! If I were to try and get even MORE dry/cut than I am now, what would you recommend eating-wise? Training wise for the time being? Lemme know, fellas.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[buck]

The quick response would to tell you the same thing my dr told me. Do what ever you want just dont use your bad shoulder. i.e. leg press, leg curls,leg extensions, lower back machine. one handed hammer strength press etc. any thing your gym has that doesnt require holding on with 2 hands.