Stage 4 periodontal disease and training

[Seether]

Hello fellow lifters,
I had always had a history of gum issues. But I avoided going to the dentist for a while. Lately I hit one of my teeth and it became shaky! I had to go to the dentist and he diagnosed with stage 4 periodontal disease!
I have 4 surgeries planned ahead (1 every 5 days) to cut the gum then remove damaged tissue and in the process I will lose 4 teeth from the lower jaw and 2 or 3 from the upper jaw.
Had anyone gone through something similar?
What do you advise when it comes to training?
Because the dentist is telling me to avoid heavy lifting for now! Until we are done with the surgeries.
Let me please know your thoughts.
Thanks!

[Mark Rippetoe]

This normally doesn't come up, because most people who train also brush and floss. Just do what your dentist tells you.

[Seether]

Thanks for the reply.
I actually brush 3-4 times per day. Mouthwash frequently.
In my case it was due to some other stupid behavior (smoking -which I stopped-) + Diabetes type I + Vitamin C deficiency.
I underwent the 2 first intervention and I was capable of "training" with lower weights (90% of the programmed) and lower volumes twice in between the 2 interventions. Still 2 to come.
Hopefully this would help someone else one day.

[Jason Donaldson]

Does your dentist have an explanation for the instructions to avoid lifting? The "why" is at least as important as the "what", and your dentist, being YOUR contractor, has an obligation to satisfy you with it.

[Seether]

Yes he said the blood pressure will increase in the gum and that could hinder the healing and loosen the sutures.

[Phill]

Did he ban work, sex and watching sports as well?

[Maybach]

This does not actually sound like the guy is giving you the classic bad advice to avoid heavy lifting at all costs. You have hired a guy to seal your driveway and he is telling you to park on the street until he is finished.

Sometimes my wisdom teeth throb after a heavy set of squats, so I would be inclined to believe that heavy lifting could indeed affect sutures in the mouth. Reduce your training intensity by a little bit for a month and then get back to it. It's a month, you'll live.