Heavy Weightlifting

Fellas, give me some of your advanced knowledge in regards to when you could start doing some serious weightlifting again.  In high school and college I used to go at it pretty good (benched 550, squated 800, dead lifted 750 - I was really into competing and all).  Well I realize at 39 I am not going to lift like that again, no way, nor do I desire to put my body through that stress again.  Due to my surgery coming up on the 28th of Feb., I started going back to the gym about a month ago (to lose weight pre-op for liver shrinkage) and I am finding that I am again starting to love pumping iron like I used to, almost forgot how good it felt to get pumped up and all.  Now though, I make sure I do at least 30 minutes of cardio, in addition to my lifting sessions.  I like doing 4-5 sets of 5-8 reps of various types of exercises.  I feel like I have made so much progress at this point, even though its only been one month.  I am worried that once I have the surgery, I will lose the progress and gains that I have made thus far - I am trying to keep my eyes on the bigger picture and know that the surgery will ultimately help me more in the long run.  From what I understand, I should still be able to do the cardio thing, light walking, right out of the gate after surgery.  Will I really need to wait 6 weeks before lifting again?  What were you guys experiences?  I know everyone heals differently, I am just trying to get a ballpark range/idea about what to expect.  Also, when could you tell it was time to go full force with activities again?  Could you tell the difference internally, was there some switch that went off and gave you the go ahead?   I appreciate any words of wisdom here.  Taz     

Taz, 6 weeks seems to be the most often time reccomended. For some expert experience, Check with Earl and NotDave. They are the "Lifters" here.... And others who are serious exercise gurus, but those two come to mind first for "Lifting" Best Wishes- Dx

My doc said 6 wks also. But he highly reccomended I get back into some lifting. I'm 10 weeks out and haven't started doing any lifting yet. With the limited amt of time I have for exercise right now, I'm really working on establishing a walking routine. Unless you're told otherwise, I'd plan on waiting 6 wks before you got back on it. Maybe longer for squats and dead lift due to the strain it puts on your core. Is there a switch that went off? Not that I can tell. I probably felt good enough to have lifted at 15 days out. I definitely felt good enough to lift at 6 wks out, but I'm putting off that first rush of  total body soreness that you get when you start lifting after a long lay off. I haven't lifted seriously in about 6-7 years.

I got tired just reading that....lol Just take it easy and see how things go. I had pain in my abdomen for a wile after. Start slow and work you way back to full speed. Good luck, Derrick

My doctor says that after my surgery I can return to "regular" activities at 6 weeks, barring any snafus.  When I asked about training with weights he said I could try light weight lifting at 6 to 8 weeks, then gradually increase the weights accordingly as I felt I could.   Prior to my heart attack I was lifting heavy at age 49. I weighed 235 lbs. Bench was 405, squat was 650, deadlift was 630, leg press was 1500.  Needless to say, those days are over. I don't care to go that heavy again. Now, at 54, if I can just get rid of this fat, get back in good shape and be able to work out with moderate weights to get stronger and stay healthy, I will be more than happy. Just don't ru**** and end up hurting yourself. Good luck.

My doc was kind of special. He allowed me to do anything I wanted, including heavy lifting two weeks post lap RNY. But you won't lose that much even if you have to wait 4-6 weeks. You were lifting really heavy weights before, so your body will take you back pretty close to that without too much effort. Previous levels of strength seem to come back pretty easily, so much so that a 70 year old man who lifted in his youth can be stronger than a 50 year old man who did not.

Thanks for the information.  It really does help to get the information from people who have been there and done that.  I am looking forward to regaining some of that youthful strength again.  Again, thanks for the advice.  I'm sure as the surgery date approaches and for days to come thereafter, you guys will be looked to for advice.    

I think something goes off of you internally......I had an open surgery, i was told not to do any heavy lifting for 3 months.....and honestly I did not feel up to doing any lifting for 6.  So up until 6 months out, I really only did cardio.  Scott

Taz, after 6 weeks off, I hit the gym with a passion.  I even made it to gym rat status and hit the weights and cardio machine.  I love it, I have had numerous gains because I could see the change in my body.  I started off slowly and now I do the full routine with heavy weights for me.  I even get challenged by other gym rats to push myself and I win.  Go slow and then hit hard when you feel up to it.  That is the key, when you feel , you can do it, do it.  But listen to your Doctor!

Hey Taz... So glad you posted this...it gave me a chance to talk about another topic, that I need your input on.....it's titled strength vs fitness... Russ ps...I think we were at Disney the same time...