Training after back surgery?

[Thaibox]

I just had a 2 level laminectomy/diskectomy last Tuesday and I've been told the recovery period is around 6 weeks with several months out of the gym(yeah right). I can't sit, twist, or stand without a walker, so almost everything is out. But, I bought #1,2 and 3 COC grippers and use those when I can, but that's all I can think of. Has anyone else been here or can anyone think of anything I can be doing instead of laying around like a slug. I know I'm going to turn into a weenie, but there's got to be somethings I can do.

My appetite sucks due to the meds, inactivity, and the fact that I have to eat laying down, but I'm trying to eat as much as I can. Any ideas that may help me not fall into a catabolic crash completely?

Thanks guys

 

[b fold the truth]

Eat as much as you can and buy a couple pair of extremely light dbells. You can do tons of things with them. Also...start writing up ideas on paper of what you are going to do to recover and rehab your body when you can..

B True

 

[Thaibox]

Thanks b, good idea. Tomorrow my buddy is going to go buy a DB with 40-50 lbs and collars. Its amazing how even a really slight upper body movement can cause my back to spasm and kick my ass for several minutes. But, I'm pretty sure I can do curls off the edge of my bed, and I'll figure out some other improvised lifts with 10-20 lbs. Woohoo, pretty soon I'll be entering the incapacitated strong man comps

 

[needsize]

I would really take it easy for the first little bit, I mean dont do anything even close to training, get the first bit of healing over with before you take any chances

 

[gymtime]

Stop being an idiot. Any kind of lifting you do now will hurt more than help. Let yourself recover and stop being a fucking tough guy for a few weeks.

That is all.

 

[Thaibox]

I wouldn't really consider super light curls, or forearm excercises "lifting." Just something to keep my mind attached to training I suppose. I'm laying around drawing up different martial arts techniques and forms, and like b said, I'm writing down new training ideas for post recovery, and its helping my spirits. But its still hard not to be a little depressed. So, I'd like to do something, even little shit.

 

[Exodus]

i understand, but pls becareful. your down but not out, remember that.

here is the best cure for bedside flustration....... get a playstation or playstation 2 or some other console, find a game where you carry a gun, and enjoy.

X

 

[Thaibox]

here is the best cure for bedside flustration....... get a playstation or playstation 2 or some other console, find a game where you carry a gun, and enjoy.

X

My friend rented me a PS2 and I've been blowing shit up for the last two days

 

[Latamier]

Hey Thai, the best thing you could do is NOTHING. I know you dont want to hear that, but that is part of the recovery process. We tell all our patients to do as little as possable, even walking. Anything you do, including dumbells is going to put a stress on your spine known as load bearing. In a few weeks, the best thing you could do if you have access to it would be swimming or any kind of water aerobics. Water eliminates just about all load bearing on your spine, and will help loosen up the facet joints in your spine. If you do too much too soon, it will only set you back farther, so my advice is to just try and be patient and listen to your doctor. Shoot me a PM if you have any more questions on your post op recovery. I hope you recover quickly, but that is totally up to you. Good luck and let me know how you are doing in a couple days. LAT

 

[ariolanine]

I'm no doctor but I would think that anything other than resting is dangerous. Not being able to train is depressing but think long term. If you don't take it easy you may be a parapalegic by age 50.