Programming for Client Recovering from Stomach Hernia?

[MarthaF]

I have a (potential) client at my gym who had a stomach hernia surgery last week. The protocol is no lifting for 6 weeks post surgery, and so I won't be seeing him until the beginning of February. I'm trying to figure out how to put him on a Starting Strength-like program while he is still recovering.

From forums I've read by lifters recovering from such a surgery, the advice has been stay with light weight and more volume.

My intuition has been to be very conservative and only increase weight by about 5lb every 2 weeks, and focus on keeping the total volume of each workout high.

Can anyone shed more light on how to put someone recovering from a stomach hernia on a strength program?

[Mark Rippetoe]

By "stomach hernia" I assume you mean an abdominal mid-line hernia. This has been discussed many times. SEARCH FUNCTION. But 5 pounds every two weeks is pretty slow progress for a repair that will heal in a few weeks. Good way to lose a client.

[MarthaF]

Thanks for the speedy reply Rip!

Right after I posted this, I searched and found the myriad of posts with the answer to my question, and found out that you underwent such a surgery yourself....Sorry about that...

[Mark Rippetoe]

I had an inguinal hernia.

[ColoWayno]

I took three weeks off after the umbilical surgery. I started with the bar and did a real quick novice progression, starting with pretty big jumps in the beginning. I had no problems.

[Heavy_Duty]

i presently compete nationally in my country Guyana with an umbilical hernia, all i can tell you it only bothers me if i bend over to stretch my hammies i cannot explain why so i have to be careful otherwise i'm fine, my 4" competition belt is my very best friend for everything over 400#

[MarthaF]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Good to know it's not something I should be deathly afraid of. I don't know his training history yet or exactly which type of "stomach hernia surgery" he had fixed, but it's good to have a bit of background knowledge on training with this type of injury history regardless.