Surgery with Levick COMPLETE (29-08-12) <pre and post op pics posted>

[Nipper]

Still tender at 5 weeks post?  Interesting.   I'm looking loads better just two weeks, really pleased at this point but then again I hardly see under the vest but have been having a few respites for 30 mins when I awake as there are loads of ridges from sleeping in it all over my skin.  Still very tender all over though, my left side more so, even tweaks if I walk at a brisk pace sometimes.  I guess you are getting more used to not having gyne than having it as time passes.  Won't nag you about the massaging No where near that stage yet so dunno how I will keep it up myself when I get there. 

[darkstar]

Yeah it's not tender enough for me to notice it at all really. I can sleep on my front, side etc. I can hug people no probs. But it's not quite normal yet. (I'm not 5 weeks post yet, not till wednesday anyway )

You will notice big improvement from now on, as the healing process seems to speed up as you get more active. It's true I don't even think about my chest when out now. I almost feel like I've never had the problem at all, not quite there yet, but will be eventually. If anything it's the little belly I'm worried about now

[Nipper]

 Oh, I know, my Hobbit gut is coming along rather nicely   I can understand now why some folk get impatient about wanting to get active again too, it's deceiving how good you feel after a week but no way am I going to try and get back to the gym or do heavy cardio for another month or so.

[darkstar]

Had an interesting moment this morning. Someone threw me a rugby ball, that went straight above my head. Without thinking, I reached for it, full stretch above my head. It felt fine and since then I've experimented with a bit more stretching. Either it's a huge improvement compared to just a few days ago, or I just needed to go for it to surprise myself. Maybe I was being too cautious before.

I'll be 5 weeks post op tomorrow and think I'm going to leave it another week minimum to get back to a training program. I'm going to lift the odd dumbbell and start a plyometrics routine, but nothing too serious. Climbing is the big one for me, and I hope to be back climbing after 7 weeks. But it's just about the worst thing for the chest I can think of, lot of body weight holding, pull ups, stretching, falling etc

[Nipper]

I am two weeks post op and I still cant lift my arms up over my head without feeling it pull.  And sometimes it reminds me that I shouldn't be doing it as it still kinda hurts so am gonna take it easy.  Road cycling is my hobby and I got my winter hack back from the mech who's serviced it, took it out for literally five mins round the block to check the indexing, I could feel every bump or groove in the tarmac on my chest, didn't think it would be as bad as it was, so when I do start cardio, it will be on a turbo trainer.   When you say 5 days post , you mean 5 weeks right?

[darkstar]

Thats what I meant, yeah! I've updated the post.

I think you're right not to be pushing it too much. Raising the arms above the head too soon could open wounds under the skin. I think at 5 weeks I should have near normal motion back, which I do. I feel as I did prior to the op now, meaning I don't feel any pain in everyday life.

[Nipper]

Well, Chopper said he was back in the gym after six weeks.  But he also said he was only doing chest once a week.  Climbing has got to be the worst activity to try and get back to, too soon after this surgery.

[adamj]

Well, Chopper said he was back in the gym after six weeks.  But he also said he was only doing chest once a week.  Climbing has got to be the worst activity to try and get back to, too soon after this surgery.

Be careful mate, I've read people regretting going back too soon. Amy the nurse told me not to train my front for 10 weeks. You don't want to do yourself too much damage or you'll be taking steps backwards. Though Chopper is the guy who's totally ripped now right?

[Nipper]

Yeah Chopper got himself into pretty good nick after his surgery but I don't think he rushed into anything either. 10 weeks for training hard on chest doesn't seem too unreasonable, only to someone used to hitting the gym or into some form of athletic activity, which is quite a few.  It's obviously going to be up to the individual at the end of the day, and how sensible and disciplined they are.

[wingman]

The bandaging, grogginess, pain, compression vest and all the other annoyances that come with the surgery do not amount to anywhere near how frustrated I am not being able to exercise.

10 weeks!? *sad face*

[darkstar]

Yeah, it is difficult. I think you can get into it gradually. I've not actually started running yet, I think I will very soon, I could have done a couple of weeks ago, but have been reluctant. I think 10 weeks is only for full on lifting focusing on the chest. Leg workouts, arm exercises and ab work should be fine. I'm doing bits already and the chest isn't strained at all.

Don't worry about the pain, It's be gone after 10 days max!

[wingman]

Thanks mate. That does make sense, I'll start with light weights on the arms with some sit ups, then slowly work on my chest after 10 weeks. I am frustrated but I've got to focus on what is vital, which is the recovery process. 

[Nipper]

I think it's a small price to pay as this window is a vital period in our recoveries.  I'm wondering whether or not I should even be taking the vest off at all for four weeks, as I've read  folk wear it 24/7 for a month.  But I'm guessing, it also needs to be off for some time to help things settle??

[adamj]

Yeah, follow the nurses orders mate. They know best. As for exercise, how long was it before anyone started jogging? I think weights might be too risky so I'm going to completely avoid till December perhaps. Not worth running the risk of damage imo.

[wingman]

Yeah, follow the nurses orders mate. They know best. As for exercise, how long was it before anyone started jogging? I think weights might be too risky so I'm going to completely avoid till December perhaps. Not worth running the risk of damage imo.

I'm also very interested in jogging, I've never really done it before as I've only ever worked on anaerobic exercises as I wanted to build up to make the gyne look less severe. Now I'm gyne free, and frustrated without exercise, maybe jogging would be a great compromise. My cardio endurance has always been lacking anyway.   

I think it's a small price to pay as this window is a vital period in our recoveries.  I'm wondering whether or not I should even be taking the vest off at all for four weeks, as I've read  folk wear it 24/7 for a month.  But I'm guessing, it also needs to be off for some time to help things settle??

I'm going to keep it on for two weeks straight, then two weeks all day (and then off when I sleep). Friday 26th October it'll be coming off completely for me.