jmo

Well it’s been a week since I just had double bilateral hernia surgery. Now I realize what my body can handle and what it cant. I had my first hernia when I was 16. I had the stitch method done, and I figured that should hold for the rest of my life. Well about a month ago I just got done doing all of my chest exercises for the day and I noticed that my area where I had the original hernia repair was a little uncomfortable. Well it turns out I had a hernia on each side. I’m about 5’ 8” and I weighed about 143 pounds. I was benching 170 pounds flat (10 reps) and about 155 incline (10 reps). I would do this weight with high stress, but it didn’t feel like I was over-doing anything. I have lost about 13 pounds since the surgery since I haven’t been able to do anything but lay in bed all day. In a few weeks I’m hoping to slowly get back into working out, and I’m trying to figure a new weight-training plan for myself.



I don’t want to lift as heavy as I used to, so I’m trying to see if anyone has any advice on a workout routine that will help me gain some muscle without having to life a ridiculous amounts of weight?



I guess what I’m getting at is the general rule – that if you want to gain mass you must lift heavier and do less reps. Is there an exception to this rule? Is there a way to lift lighter weight and do more reps and STILL gain some mass?



I know a proper diet is a MUST, and I was curious if a program like pilates / yoga combined with a weight routine would be something I should check into.



It’s really weird almost starting at the beginning again, but it’s also exciting.



Anyways, any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.



Cheers, Jmo

camarosuper6

Congrats on your comeback.

Hmm... I dont really know what to say as far as hernia goes. Dr. Chiro and Bandaidwoman are both medical professionals of sorts on here, asking them a question about this would be advisable IMO.

My advice is start very light and very slow, and only with Dr. permission.
Eat PLENTY of protein and gradually increase both intensity and weight. The last thing you wanna do is pretend your superman and jump into intense training.

Post your routine in here and get feedback.

"Show me a beautiful woman, and I'll show you a guy tired of screwing her"

camarosuper6

Another good idea would be Glutamine and an antioxidant...

"Show me a beautiful woman, and I'll show you a guy tired of screwing her"

yellowmoomba

I had open hernia surgery (on two hernias on my left side) back in June. I took 10 days off from the gym. When I returned I started off using the Hammer Strength Machines and barbell exercises since you don't need to use your abs to stabilize yourself as much. I didn't do my first squat for about 4 weeks after surgery. Again - I started out using the Hack Squat Machine. By 5 weeks I was using about 80% of my normal weight on every muscle group except Legs. It took me about 12 weeks to feel comfortable to Sprint without any pain or fear of tearing back open. Your best bet is to focus on Compound exercises to help build your body back into shape. I did Pullups, Bench, Military Press, Chinups, Rows, Hack Squat, SLDL's. I implemented Squats into my program after about 6-7 weeks and deadlifts after about 8 weeks.

So - I'm about 16 weeks post opt and I'm probably the strongest I've been since I started lifting 15 years ago. I can attribute it to - Compound exercises, Rest (2 or 3 days a week), and relatively good diet.

Good luck on your return!!

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/on...-bag-work.html


"You are born small and weak... you die small and weak... how you look in between is up to you."

camarosuper6

Good to see you again Moomba

"Show me a beautiful woman, and I'll show you a guy tired of screwing her"

yellowmoomba

Good to see you around too!! I'll be checking your journal to see your WS workouts!!

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/on...-bag-work.html


"You are born small and weak... you die small and weak... how you look in between is up to you."

oona

These are awfully old posts. I hope someone will answer.

I just had abdominal hernia surgery for the 3rd time. I would like to know if anyone knows any Dr. approved exercises to safely re-strengthen the "core" muscles?

yellowmoomba

I did 6 inches and swiss ball crunches after two weeks. I started lifting weights using hammer strength machine as well. I walked on the treadmill with a small incline to get a little cardio.

NO SQUATING, SITUPS or RUNNING.

Good luck. I was back to playing sports in 2-3 months.

Here's a link to my old journal if you want more details.

(scroll down to June 12 - surgery date)

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/sh...=27545&page=19 (Pull/Cardio/Push/Cardio/off/Legs/off)

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/on...-bag-work.html


"You are born small and weak... you die small and weak... how you look in between is up to you."

DOMS

yellowmamba, was weight training the cause of your hernias, or was it something else?

yellowmoomba

Nope - I did it playing football.

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/on...-bag-work.html


"You are born small and weak... you die small and weak... how you look in between is up to you."

DOMS

Okay. Just checking.

jbras@bulloch.c

Hello, I'm looking at this old thread regarding working out after bilateral inguinal hernia surgery.

I'm 43 and it will be a week on Wednesday. When is it safe to get back on the elliptical again? Pre-op, I was high intensity virtually every day of the week for 75-120 minutes. Any thoughts as to what might be safe after a week or two?

Thanks,

Jim

signedup

I too had an hernia surgery and was out of gymming for a year or two. Then I got into swimming as the best form of exercise and now have started regular weight training. I use a hernia belt.. google OMTEX always while squatting or lifting weights as i had an abdominal hernia.. once in a while, if i have a pain, i ease out on weight. not doing more than 75% of Rep Max yet and doing a steady 8-12 rep range..