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Colon surgery
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Posted by: Swede
I had successful colon surgery 3 weeks ago to remove 4 inches of cancer in my colon. I was in the hospital for 8 days because they wouldn't release me until I had two successive days of bowel movements. During this time I wasn't allowed to eat so all I had was clear liquids and a saline solution. So, I lost 20 lbs and have now gained 5 lbs back.
I was also told that it would take 5 weeks for the colon and tummy incision to heal, so no going to the gym during this time. Once I am allowed to hit the weights again, I am planning on a couple of weeks of high reps with low weigths in order to get my muscle memory, energy and intensity back to where it should be, then slowly increase the weight each week through periodization.
However, I am thinking that I should wait a couple of weeks beyond the initial 5 weeks to incorporate dead lifts and leg squats since they tax the core so hard - dont want an abdominal hernia. Also, when would be the best time to start cycling creatine again?
Any comments, critique, suggestions would be gratefully appreciated....
Posted by: Gazhole
Personally i would wait a while after the 5 weeks before doing any sort of training. Have you consulted your doctor about it? He'll probably be able to tell you if the strain of weight lifting will do any harm.
Hell, its taken my pulled Trap a month to heal, let alone something like this.
Its a good idea when you do start training again (pending that first bit of my post) to start off at lower intensity like you said, possibly even start at a lower intensity for the higher reps (where you'd usually do a 20-22RM for 20 reps, do 24-26RM or something) and work up slowly from program to program.
Sounds like the surgery went well though, how do you feel generally? Good to hear you're out of there and up and about, man 
Posted by: Swede
Thanks for the feedback. Overall I feel good, but my energy level is some what low still - I tire easily and I am sore where the incision is. But, I am told they got all of the cancer. I have to be careful when I bend and twist. Doing lot's of walking - it is supposed to help with muscle tissue healing; and planning my strategy for when I can get back in to the gym. It's killing me not to be able to lift!! I have a Dr. appointment next week to hopefully be cleared to excersize, etc.
Posted by: SANDIEGOROB
I went through a bad summer last year. Hospitalized off and on for over a month then had abdominal surgery. I imagine your incision is similar, sternum to pelvis. If so, I can tell you that I still feel some unease when squatting or deadlifting. I lost a total of 40 pounds, doc said that about 80% was lean muscle so it's been a bitch trying to get back to the shape I was in. Best advice I can give you is to go very slow after the 5 weeks. It took me about 7 months after surgery (March 2008) to get to the point where I was comfortable with heavier weights.
BTW - glad to have you among the living and my wishes for a full recovery. Don't get down on yourself for not coming back as quickly as you want - you need to be very patient. Another note, don't be shocked if your abdomen doesn't have the same shape as before. Mine's slightly tweaked but not too bad.
Posted by: Perdido
I have no advise to offer just wanted to say hope the recovery goes well.
Posted by: jpolito830
I also hope you have a full recovery...and I wish ya the best!
Posted by: Triple Threat
Been there, done that (sort of). At an age just shy of 44, I had surgery for diverticulitis. The doctor removed a section of my intestine and stitched me back together. 9 days in the hospital, no food, weight went from 208 to 182. Closest thing to looking Ethiopean I had been in a long time. Like you, I had to give a shit before they let me out.
I was told no workouts for 6 weeks, so I complied. I started getting antsy after about a month, but adhered to the doctor's advice. I spent the first 2 weeks back doing very light weights, such as squatting with 95 and deads with 135, and after the 2 weeks with no problems, I started pushing it again. Actually, that was my last major setback, having been in relatively good health since then. Knock on wood.
Just take it slow and build up gradually. Muscle memory is a wonderful thing. Good luck.
Posted by: Swede
Thanks for all the encouragement - I am really getting antsy to workout, the waiting is killing me!! I feel better and have more energy every day, however.
Triple Threat - I am counting big time on on muscle memory, tell me how long it took for you for the muscle memory to kick in, that is, what were the dynamics of this for you? Also, the squats and deadlifts - they really hit the core - I was thinking of waiting an additional few weeks, but you are saying you hit them right away as well, but very carefully?? Tell me more.
Posted by: Triple Threat
It took me a while to find my old records, but being a pack rat comes in handy sometimes. 
At the time of the surgery, my max squat was about 275, bench at 280 (that's not a typo, my bench was better than my squat), and DL at 435. I started lifting again 5 weeks (not 6 as I had thought, sorry) after the surgery.
In early December, I began to workout again. Squat started at 95x10 and 105x8 for the first workout. Bench at 95x12 and 115x12. DL at 135x10.
Squats were back to full strength by the end of March, so it was 4 months there. For bench and DL, it took until mid-June.
Posted by: Swede
Thriple Threat - Thanks for the information. This will help me greatly with setting realistic goals. I met with my surgeon yesterday and he has cleared me for going back to the gym. It has been nearly 5 weeks since my surgery and I cant wait to get started with lifting again.
Posted by: SANDIEGOROB
Triple Threat - Did you have laparoscopy or did they open you up completely? I'm finding that my back recoverd quickest, then legs and my chest is lagging big time. I'm trying not to get discouraged but sometimes it's difficult.
Posted by: Triple Threat
They opened me up. I have about a 4 inch scar running vertically in the middle of the abdomen.
I had a tear in the intestine. Doctor said I was full of shit. Literally. 
Posted by: SANDIEGOROB
Yeesh, not fun at all - lucky your shit didn't spew. I had a bowel obstruction (I was full of shit) caused by a nasty abdominal infection two months earlier. Glad to know another old-timer can recover from this crap.
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Colon surgery
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