Getting back to work and lifting

Your surgeon's instructions should trump anything you learn here. It's hard to know what you mean by lifting "light." Most abdominal surgeries limit any but the most trivial lifting (e.g. 10 pounds) for about six weeks, and lifting in the gym is simply Not Done during that time. If you ignore the limitations you may get to learn about the recovery from hernia surgery.

I agree with Scott.
I do lifting at work myself.
Listen to your Dr.
And get help lifting.... I did and it was a great help.

Thanks Scott, Great advice . . . I have been warned about those hernias!

Thank you, You are right, makes sense, just itching to get back to work!!

My surgery was robot assisted, so I only had abdominal penetration at the stoma site (maybe 1" incision).  My surgeon made me wait  8 weeks, but I finally got back to weight training last week :-)  That made a huge difference in how I feel too.

Glad to hear that all is well "swollen colon" and you are back training. Have you had any issues, limitations? I can't wait to get back fully to work and the gym. It has been a long process, but the end is almost here and hoping all goes well and I can get back to normal soon. Thanks for your reply

No issues or limitations, just really weak.  I hope I can get my 30 lbs back by this time next year, or sooner.

I hope you can too. I lost most my weight after 2nd surgery . . . good luck with everything

I was really weak too.  Lost 50 pounds... Was only 176 to start so it was a tremendous loss to me.  I have only gained half back and can't seem to get anymore.  In fact I lost 5 pounds the last time I went in and got weighed.  Discouraging.  To say the least. 
I am still weak and do not have the stamina I used to have to make it through the day.  It's been a year and a half since my surgery.  I think my age has alot to do with it.  I eat all the time.  I am 59. But being younger it's easier for most to bounce back.  At least I think!
Good luck to you.  And everyone else here .  We all have probs some worse than others.

Mysticobra, sorry to hear you are struggling. Thanks for your reply and well wishes, I hope that things get better for you in the future!

My one and only flare saw me loose about 30 lbs and then I dropped another 20 while in the hospital recovering from complications. 

 

I got back the 20 pretty quickly, and am now at a very healthy weight, much healthier than I was prior to surgery/UC flare. 

 

I didn't start seriously exercising (beyond walking, walking walking) until 8-10 weeks after takedown, but regular cardio plus moderate weight work has made a drastic impact on my general health, pouch function and mental state.

 

I hit the gym as soon as my surgeon said, "Go," and I feel great six months later.

 

So the listen to your surgeon advice is something I would echo.  I would also add, listen to your body.  Normal sore from exercising is fine.  Pain is not.  It's incredibly difficult for me to feel limited, and I was seriously limited when I first got back in the gym, but it gets better.

 

Your body has been put through the wringer.  It won't, at first, be able to do everything it did before.  Work back up slowly, be mindful of the potential for hernias, especially at first, and if something doesn't feel right, stop doing it.  I gradually built myself back up, and, looking back, I don't recognize the exhausted wreck who first stepped back into the gym in early January.

ATXGuy, So you have only had one complication? I guess even with minor set backs, it must still be better than before the surgeries. Great advice and glad to hear that things are looking better for you! Thanks again

Sorry to be unclear.

 

I had my first flair up in January 2014.  I was eventually admitted to the hospital to try and get it under control, and while there, my colon ruptured and I had emergency surgery.

 

After that surgery, there were quite a few complications, and I was hospitalized for a total of 28 days.  My second surgery was complication free.  After my takedown, I had to be opened up again because of an internal bleed.  So, any number of complications, but the main point is that with time, they're but a memory for me.  I have days that are better than others, but mostly I'm good these days and can't complain at all, especially when I look at where I am versus where I was.

NC
Thanks.  It gets better everyday.
I have setbacks but they are getting further apart.
As for my weight.  I am healthy and happy with that.
Little more weight wouldn't hurt. Lol.

ATXGuy

Sounds like you have been through a lot, but remain positive - good to hear! All the best!

 

Mysticobra weight seems to be a struggle for many, as long as your not still losing, things are looking good, take care