Clients Urogynocologist says "no big heavy weights" after surgery...and beyond.

[Reid Johnson]

First forum post so be gentle.


A mid 40s F client of mine had gynecological surgery approximately 2 months ago. Rather than summarize the entire reponse I received from her after surgery I'm going to copy most of it below for you all to read and give feedback. Looking for person and professional opinion. Her surgeon is recommeding she not lift heavy weights forever. I know this is a typical response for some surgeons, but considering the details of the operation I'm lacking confidence in reassuring her she'll be fine. I'd like to give her some informed feedback beyond my own personal wishes--I want her back training of course.

Before you read her story, her training history: 10 weeks doing 3x5 squats, deadlifts, bench, press. Squat: 140, Deadlift: 185, Bench: 85, Press: 55

SURGERY
Full hysterectomy ovaries/tubes/uterus/cervix removed
They added a bladder sling to help with leaky bladder (but it hasn’t exactly resolved issue) cystocele(prolapsed bladder); and rectocele prolapsed colon
Basically lots of female prolapse due to childbirth and aging body
Hence challenge of heavy lifting

TEXT FOLLOWUP FROM HER
When I went to see my urogynocologist surgeon for my 6week post follow up he said “you are good to go, cleared for swimming, baths everything but the only restriction is no heavy lifting”
I said “wait, hold up, what do you mean by heavy lifting??” he said
“You know, No big heavy weight lifting big barbells or anything”
“If the sofa need moved— let somebody else do it”
My heart dropped and I’m like whaattt???? He says “oh you’re fine, just do smaller less weight and more reps”
I said “dr hill…. I was weightlifting heavy before my surgery and I loved it and now you’re saying I can’t??” So he sat for a minute and said “the heavy weight bearing isn’t good for your bladder/colon surgery repair or it will negate what you just had done”
Then he said something about “as we age we all have to make a variety of concessions for our health” then he left the room
I just sat there so bummed out bc I was looking forward to restarting with you!!
So…. Idk what I can do for weightlifting. I’m a little lost about this news but I’d love to have a discussion with you about that at some point

"I would like to work with you again if there’s a way to modify just not sure how/what yet

My primary care doc appointment is Nov 4- I’m curious to get her thoughts on weightlifting outside of of the urogynecologist surgeon
Lmk what thoughts you have too"



Thanks for any feedback regarding her case

[Mark Rippetoe]

If she trusts you, teach her about the Stress/Recovery/Adaptation cycle, and start her back training with light weights, progressing her like she did before. Make her sign a release, obviously.

[Jason Donaldson]

Just because what a trainee lifts is too heavy for their surgeon, doesn't necessarily mean it'll always be too heavy for that surgeon's work... Thankfully.

[dalan]

You're going to ask your primary for advice? Are you going to say, "My family doctor says your specialist is wrong so you're good to go."

This isn't really the time to start thinking GP's suddenly have a clue about anything and anyway, she likely won't offer advice on someone she knows absolutely nothing about.

[Mark Rippetoe]

This isn't really the time to start thinking GP's suddenly have a clue about anything and anyway, she likely won't offer advice on someone she knows absolutely nothing about.

This hasn't been my experience.

[Jason Donaldson]

You're going to ask your primary for advice? Are you going to say, "My family doctor says your specialist is wrong so you're good to go."

This isn't really the time to start thinking GP's suddenly have a clue about anything and anyway, she likely won't offer advice on someone she knows absolutely nothing about.

Why wouldn't the GP? The specialist already did, after all.