Rowing after minor surgery

[Eric308]

I just had a sun damaged area in my upper right chest excised yesterday. I have about a 7" incision with interior and exterior sutures extending upper chest and curving toward armpit. Looks like a shark bite. Anyway, they said absolutely no repetitive exercises for 3 months! I guess it's nearly impossible to repair any torn sutures without a skin graft. Obviously I know I can't do any pec flys or bench type presses, but I'll have a hard time not rowing that long. I can't do any other cardio like a treadmill as both my knees are shot, and the Concept2 is all I got. I'm thinking of doing nothing until the sutures are out in 2 weeks, and then starting on a recumbent bike with no upper body movement. Anyone else had a similar experience with a surgical recovery? I'm hoping I can at least get back to some LIGHT erg work before 3 months. Oh yeah, the good news was that it's not a melanoma. Thanks for any thoughts and or suggestions.

[left coaster]

Liability disclaimer: follow your doctor's advice.

I've had some difficult injury recovery periods, the worst was a neck injury. I had a neurologist tell me that physical activity wasn't associated with a worsening of symptoms, boy was he wrong. It seemed crazy to me when the old guy, years past retirement age, told me this -- but I so wanted to believe him... It took multiple attempts at getting back to activity for me before I was finally able to exercise consistently. I know the squirming, crazy feeling your post implies, almost like a restless leg syndrome at night, just crawling with the need to go do something...

Going back too early caused my recovery to drag on for well over a year. IMHO Best to be conservative and play the long game, fully recover then ease in under a doctor's supervision.

[Nick]

Eric - First and most importantly - tell every woman you know that it is a shark bite, and the shark lost! As far as your situation is concerned: Rest, rest, rest - do not rush this thing because it will seriously set back your recovery and eventual return to rowing. I had rotator cuff repair surgery a couple of years ago, and luck for me both my surgeon and physical therapy team were big time sports medicine guys. They were adamant about not rushing any physical activity and warned me about permanent damage to my shoulder should I rush things. Your surgery does not sound as if it got into the deep muscle and bone areas that rotator cuff surgery involves - but I'd still go very slowly - you won't regret it. Also - many congratulations on the successful surgery outcome and that it wasn't melanoma. Nick

[Eric308]

Eric - First and most importantly - tell every woman you know that it is a shark bite, and the shark lost! As far as your situation is concerned: Rest, rest, rest - do not rush this thing because it will seriously set back your recovery and eventual return to rowing. I had rotator cuff repair surgery a couple of years ago, and luck for me both my surgeon and physical therapy team were big time sports medicine guys. They were adamant about not rushing any physical activity and warned me about permanent damage to my shoulder should I rush things. Your surgery does not sound as if it got into the deep muscle and bone areas that rotator cuff surgery involves - but I'd still go very slowly - you won't regret it. Also - many congratulations on the successful surgery outcome and that it wasn't melanoma. Nick

Thanks, guys. Yeah, Nick...I actually did tell the attending nurse that it looked like a shark bite. I'm up and around today with minimal pain. Change the dressing tomorrow after my shower. You are night about not involving deep muscle and bone areas...far less invasive than yours. Hey, I've been through worse...ruptured my quadriceps tendon about three years ago. There was no question about no rowing back then. I'll just follow your and the doc''s advice...I wasn't really looking for any short cuts. Just a minimal medical vent! Thanks, again and glad to hear that your rotator cuff surgery went well. Happy Holidays.

[BryanCastro]

I had knee surgery a couple years ago. It took about 9 months to recover from. My non-medically qualified advice would be careful not to get too aggressive. A few months without erging may be hard, but once you're all healed up you'll be up and running in no time. Don't rush it and listen to your doctor.

[Cayenne]

I had knee surgery a couple years ago. It took about 9 months to recover from. My non-medically qualified advice would be careful not to get too aggressive. A few months without erging may be hard, but once you're all healed up you'll be up and running in no time. Don't rush it and listen to your doctor.

Hi Bryan:

I hope your knee is feeling great at this point.

Can you please elaborate on your experience ?

At 55 y.o., after several years of daily various exercises, I recently developed a very severe bout of (what is being diagnosed as) ITB Syndrome, such that, I can't flex my knee at all. I've had knee MRI, (positive for old tears and cartilage loss, but the orthopedist does not think that is my current problem,) and I'm in PT, but it is frustratingly slow. My almost 2 year streak of daily rowing is over and I have no idea when I'll row again

I found your post inspiring and hope to hear more.

Thank you,

Eddie

[Nick]

Hi Eddie - Very discouraging news. That said - this 76 year old body has taken more than its share of beatings and if I've learned one thing over the course my life I've learned to listen to my docs, my nurse (who happens to be my wife), and my physical therapists. As they all say - "If it hurts when you do that - don't do that!" Be patient, don't give up, no matter how discouraging this may seem. Have you thought about adaptive rowing? I've seen men and women in the gym who have knee and other lower body issues simply use their upper body when rowing. They just sit still and row with their arms. You won't cover as many meters this way but you will be in the game, and might get some satisfaction with that. You might want to discuss this this possibility with your doc and other health care pros. Hang in there - Happy Holidays! Nick

[Cayenne]

Thank you for your kind and supportive words NIck !

I've been trying to see these developments in the best light. Such as, perhaps this turn of events presents lessons I need to learn. For example, I've ordered a book on Somatics and some accompanying DVDs. I'm hoping...

As another example, perhaps this "step backwards after two steps forward" is a forced teaching of gratitude and humility, etc. Nevertheless, because vigorous daily movement is part of the very fabric of my being, this episode has also been frustrating.

To your point, I've shied away from "torso & arms only" rowing, because, as a low back rehab/prehab obsessive, I've always really been an disciple of the gospel of emphasize the legs, etc.

You reply has given me food for thought though, as I do love the "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are", spirit espoused by Teddy Roosevelt.

Thank you again Nick and best wishes !

[Eric308]

Back on the rower! Got the stitches out on 12/28...all 22 of them! Anyway, I went to the gym on 12/31 and did a really slow and easy 2K....(about a 2:50 pace). Today my time was over 2 minutes quicker with very careful effort. Also doing some light upper body stuff with minimal impact on the pec region. I notice no pain or tightness in the region and it feels good to get off my ass. How about that Rose Bowl?

[jackarabit]

Back on the beast in slighly less than a month! Great news.

[Nick]

Hey Eric - Great news - just keep on keepin' on!!!!!!

[Eric308]

Thanks, guys. Back at my regular rowing work-outs and upper body weights and machines now. I appreciate all the words of advice and encouragement.