Lifting weights

[TomS]

Does anyone have experience lifting weights after OHS? How long does it take for the sternum to typically heal, along with those chest muscles that came into play? At ten weeks, I'm still somewhat apprehensive in picking up anything heavy, or considering touching a bench press.
Thanks,
Tom
AVR and anneurysm repair 8-16-05

 

[MarkU]

I had been an avid weightlifter/bodybuilder prior to my surgery.
I went back to the gym about three months after my AVR, but stuck to machines rather than free weights for several months.
My sternum was very sensitive for about nine months - I couldn't use any machines where you put your chest against a pad, like some of the rowing machines.
At my cardiologist's urging, I switched from heavy weights/low reps to lighter weights/high reps. My doctors asked me to avoid any lifting that would create major blood pressure spikes, like heavy bench presses or squats. I also started spending at least half my time on aerobic/cardio work.
I eventually got hooked on triathlon training and now lift only one or two days per week.
My best advice would be to take it easy at first with light weights and give everything a chance to fully heal. I know it will be frustrating, but better not to pull or strain anything which will put you even further behind.
Mark

 

[Lynlw]

Justin was always told (even when he is fully healed) that he should not lift anything heavy enough to make him grunt as the rule of thumb, Lyn www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw

 

[TomS]

Mark,
Thanks. I was doing curls when this thing went bad in May (afib that led me into a TEE and then surgery). Anyway, when you went back to it after 3 months I assume that you took it very easy. Does 6 months sound right before you were no longer concerned about tearing something in your chest, or did you feel that it was earlier than that?
Thanks,
Tom

 

[msiwik]

Mark,
Thanks. I was doing curls when this thing went bad in May (afib that led me into a TEE and then surgery). Anyway, when you went back to it after 3 months I assume that you took it very easy. Does 6 months sound right before you were no longer concerned about tearing something in your chest, or did you feel that it was earlier than that?
Thanks,
Tom

Mark U gave you great advice. I just hit the five month mark and the only thing I have done is pushups in the last couple of weeks (1 set of 20 3 to 4 times a week). I am holding off weights until I see my exercise physiologist in December. The same person advised that by 8 weeks, the sternum is "solid." I would talk to your rehab folks if you can. Also, stay involved with the website. There are a number of us that share our ongoing story as we resume our athletic lifestyles.

 

[Tom F.]

I went back to my gym and hit the weights 6 weeks to the day after my surgery. However, for a long time it was machines only, and I lifted very very lightly. I had no problems.

 

[Randy & Robyn]

At my cardiologist's urging, I switched from heavy weights/low reps to lighter weights/high reps. My doctors asked me to avoid any lifting that would create major blood pressure spikes, like heavy bench presses or squats.Mark

Mark,

Do you still lift to failure? I will have no problem reducing the amount I used to lift but I really like the feeling of pushing until I can't push anymore, whether that point comes at 10 reps or 20 reps. Would that still be considered dangerous and cause blood pressure spikes if you are careful and do not hold your breath during the lift?

Randy

 

[tobagotwo]

It depends partly on your age, and partly on your body. Eight weeks may have been good for a particular person's sternum, but is not for everyone's. Three months is a better gauge for most people.

However, like everything else, you need to start slowly. Most surgeons and cardiologists are dead set against weights or any nonaerobic exercise after OHS, but I don't see that it's fully warranted in most cases of younger, basically fit people, who don't have aneurism tendencies or known tissue problems (such as myxomatous tissue from a BAV syndrome, endocarditis, or radiation). Just my opinion.

Best wishes,

 

[LLJ]

Don't tease me Bob H! I gave up 20 years of competitive powerlifting for duathlons when my cardiologist absolutely warned me away from heavy weights! His concern was increasing the aortic root pressure which he said could only be meaured by a swann-ganz cathrter which I was unwilling to tool around with at the gym!(Ha-ha)!
Free weights are no worse then machines, 50 pounds is 50 pounds if you lift correctly. I love free weights and I use them for bench,
rows and squats. (All embarassingly light,but what the hell,I'm still here)l
I was lifting so little for so long after my surgery,not because of my sternum,but because of my heart rate which ended up needing a little Toprol to calm it down.
I will never not lift weights. I love going to failure! It's the best way I found to get a great workout and not "overlift"
Anyone want to talk weights and reps and sets and they will have me at hello!
Laura

 

[MarkU]

Mark,

Do you still lift to failure? I will have no problem reducing the amount I used to lift but I really like the feeling of pushing until I can't push anymore, whether that point comes at 10 reps or 20 reps. Would that still be considered dangerous and cause blood pressure spikes if you are careful and do not hold your breath during the lift?

Randy

Randy,
Nope, no more lifting to failure. Up until about nine months prior to my surgery I was benching 320lbs x 6-8 reps. and doing 5 drop sets to failure.
I now only do 180-200lbs x 10-12 reps x three sets.
I've definitely lost some bulk by going to lighter weights. But at my age (52), it was inevitable that I was going to have to cut back at some point, if nothing else to save the wear and tear on my joints. I'm actually working at losing weight/bulk now in order to help my triathlon performance - no sense in hauling around a lot of useless muscle if it's not helping to propel you forward.
Yes, you're absolutely correct about not holding your breath during lifts - it's one of the worst things you can do when lifting, whether or not you've had valve replacement.
Mark

 

[William]

My problem was I got a hernia where the draining tube was about 2 inches below the sternum. I followed Doctors orders about lifting/running and it still happened and had to have another operation to fix it. Sternum felt fine but the ab wasn't ready. Be careful with this. Will

 

[LLJ]

Ok, you guys have a very different idea of what lifting to failure is. Lifting to failure can be one set with 6 seconds up six seconds down until you can no longer do another rep. This can be accomplished with lighter weights easily. Elimate the momentum and you only have muscle doing the work. I also miss the heavier weights especially in the squat. I did lose some muscle size but being female it's not so bad! (Not that I was huge in the first place!)
Laura

 

[CCRN]

Mark U gave you great advice. I just hit the five month mark and the only thing I have done is pushups in the last couple of weeks (1 set of 20 3 to 4 times a week). I am holding off weights until I see my exercise physiologist in December. The same person advised that by 8 weeks, the sternum is "solid." I would talk to your rehab folks if you can. Also, stay involved with the website. There are a number of us that share our ongoing story as we resume our athletic lifestyles.

Are you doing real pushups.......not on your knees..........just hands and toes? Does it hurt much? I'm a reservist and would dearly love to get back to passing my PT test but I have been very timid about the pushup thing. I have no problems with the situps. Did you work up to regular pushups just a few at a time or did you start against the wall? My rehab people have me stuck doing pushups against the wall and I had surgery 2-3 weeks before you. Throw a few pointers this way if you don't mind.

 

[msiwik]

Pushups

Pushups

Are you doing real pushups.......not on your knees..........just hands and toes? Does it hurt much? I'm a reservist and would dearly love to get back to passing my PT test but I have been very timid about the pushup thing. I have no problems with the situps. Did you work up to regular pushups just a few at a time or did you start against the wall? My rehab people have me stuck doing pushups against the wall and I had surgery 2-3 weeks before you. Throw a few pointers this way if you don't mind.

Well, I have to admit it was pretty spontaneous. Because I contracted mono 3 months out from surgery, I am not supposed to lift weights until I see the exercise physiologist in December. I am not sure what came over me but a couple of weeks ago, I just got down on the floor after running 40 to 50 minutes to see what I could do and I did 10 military style. The next day I did 20. After that, I found I was pretty sore and needed to go every other day with doing them. I feel nothing when I do them and after being told I couldn't hurt my sternum after 8 weeks, I guess I didn't think much about it. My sternum, chest is still such that I know I had surgery in May but there is no pain - just the typical stuff you feel when mending/healing. Take care!

 

[MSG Morrissey]

FYI-
I was active duty Army combat arms E-8 when/after my surgery. I had a total of about 6 months to get back into shape-was trying to pass the med boards to forestal the forced retirement. So, I was fully capable PT wise within 4 months. Passed and deployed to NTC at 6 months!