surgery & loss of fitness? (Read 617 times)

.My question is, how much fitness will I be losing to my chin for those 3 weeks?  I can't believe that not running is actually figuring into my hesitation about this surgery, as i'm self-conscious as shit about my face since my spill but I'm running more now than ever and I'm afraid of losing what I've built up.  I'm thinking it's possible for me to walk during the time, but also assuming that any cardio activity is out of the question.

 I think in 3 weeks, you probably won't lose too much in cardiovascular fitness, but you may be a little stiff/sore for a few days after you start back. I tend to lose strength/flexibilty faster than cardio fitness during a lay off. If you can to some walking, that will probably offset that a bit.

I would guess, seeing as you seem to be getting a good 20-25 MPW, if you come back sensibly, maybe run a little slower the first week, maybe keep it on the low side of your MPW, you' d be back to normal in 2-3 weeks, maybe less. This has been the case for me, but I'm 51, if you're much younger, you may notice even less of an effect. Good luck with your surgery.

if you cannot do cardio then in all likelyhood it will take you 2 months to get back to where you were. 

that may sound bad but it isn't that big of a deal.  having gotten to where you are now still provides much benefit for getting back there the next time.  Even though the same workouts will be more difficult (sorry... they probably will) you will likely build back more easily next time. 

so even though this may sound like a downer post I'm really trying to emphsise the positive. 

In April, i'm planning to have a scar revision surgery on my chin to remove the hypertrophic ugliness that resulted from a bad fall whillst running last spring....While at the plastic surgeon's office, I was told that I have to refrain from doing anything strenuous/fitness related for at least 3 weeks so that the new scar will heal properly (blood pressure busts seams?)...

.My question is, how much fitness will I be losing to my chin for those 3 weeks?  I can't believe that not running is actually figuring into my hesitation about this surgery, as i'm self-conscious as shit about my face since my spill but I'm running more now than ever and I'm afraid of losing what I've built up.  I'm thinking it's possible for me to walk during the time, but also assuming that any cardio activity is out of the question.

 You'll lose  fitness... but three weeks isn't that bad.  I had to take 5.5 weeks off after my c-section and got it back pretty quickly (a couple months) once recommitted.  The process of getting it back (esp the first few runs) suck, but in the long run it doesn't matter and will probably leave you more jazzed for running and committed to training which can be extremely beneficial. 

I'd ask the doctor the strictness of the times.  I know for me, I convinced the doctor to clear me earlier than the originally given time (8 weeks) because it healed well.  They have to be cautious... that doesn't mean you will need 3 weeks yourself. Esp, I'm not sure about your blood pressure but I know mine is pretty low even during/immediately after exercise, compared to the norm, so if that's the problem maybe individual factors come even more into play.

I'm scared now though, I'm supposed to look at scar revision here soon, too.  The recovery time has always been the real fault I found with plastic surgery!

The hard part of conditioning in my opion is strengthing the bones/ligaments/joints.   Cardiovascular fitness is MUCH easier to gain.  You should loose almost none of the first (particularly if you can walk a lot in the mean time).   You might loose a fair amount of cardiovascular fitness but you can regain that really quickly.

My experience has been that this is right on the money.  Even with limited mobility, gaining the cardio back happens much quicker than recovering the muscle conditioning.  Crank a treadmill to incline 10 - 15 and walk it and your heart rate will be pushed.  But the recover in strength and conditioning takes a long time.