Achillies - HRT - SS for Animals - Iowa Park Cops

[mtbrown116]

Rip,
My name is Mike, I'm a long-time listener, first time posting. The first podcast I watched was back in the 2012 timeframe, you interviewed Shane Hamman. Began SSLP in January 2013. Ever since then, I've been a SS practitioner and regular listener. Dittos to SS having an unparalleled impact on my life!

Age: 43
Ht: 6'2"
Wt: 230

Current Lifts (as of 9-15-23)
Press: 205 3x5
Bench: 310 3x5
Squat: 440 3x5
Dead: 525 1x5

Testosterone: 220mg per week


I am a medically retired US Air Force Pararescueman. After multiple combat deployments, involving numerous combat missions, my injuries began to stack up. Since I have been out of the Air Force, I have had to undergo the following surgeries.

2014: L Knee scope, meniscus tear.
2015: L5/S1 Spinal Fusion - anterior approach
2020: L Shoulder scope - minor tear
2023: Achillies Rupture repair



Question #1
When could I return to training the Power Clean and Power Snatch?

I ruptured my Achillies tendon May 22, 2023 (coaching little league - demonstrating how to hustle on and off the field between innings - stepped back into a hole in outfield - pop). That night I went back and listened to your podcast a few years ago on how you recovered from your Achillies. If I recall, you said that Power Cleans were probably out for an entire year. Would you still give that recommendation based on the following rehab benchmarks?

Surgery: May 25, 2023
Week 1-2: Complete immobilization. Hard cast.
Week 3-4: Walking boot - did not use dorsiflexion heel lifts. Using pain as indicator, I tried to be as mobile as possible. I was very physically active with household projects and such, during this time.
Week 5-6: Rigid Brace - hobbling around with rigid brace (no boot) and a cane at first. Returned to training. Squat, Deadlift, Press only. No planter flexion beyond 90 degrees.
Week 7-8: No brace - Continue training. Began LP: Squat - 225; Dead - 225; Press - 155; Bench 205
Week 9-16: No brace - Continue LP to current lifts listed above.

Question #2
HRT Pellets or Injections for my wife?

I have been on TRT since 2016 (immediately after my back surgery in 2015). My wife has now come on board and is in the process of getting HRT for herself. We have been to 2 places; both have pitched the idea that pellets are better than the injections. They claim that the fluctuation is not as noticeable on pellets as it is on injections. I am just looking for your inputs as she is going to get HRT one way or another; injections or pellet.

Question#3
Will the science of stress, recover, and adaptation; also have the same effects on animals?
Due to my injuries; I was awarded a service dog from a Veteran's organization. This dog has changed my life. I could go on and on about the things she has done for me, but brevity is important here. I obviously want her to live as long as possible, and I am sold on the fact that strength will add years to a human's life. Will it do the same for animals? Further, since you seem to have vast knowledge of both animals and humans, what things would you recommend for implementing strength adaptation in an animal such as a dog (yellow lab).

Question #4
Have you ever had Iowa Pork Chops?
I know you do not care for Iowa Park Cops, but how about Iowa Pork Chops? One of the podcasts has "Iowa Park Cops" in the title, so am waiting the whole episode for you to talk about how awesome Iowa Pork Chops are; and I realize I'm a dumbass and misread the title. If you have not had Iowa Pork Chops before, I would highly recommend.

Thank you for all you have done; for so many of us!

Regards,
Mike

[Mark Rippetoe]

#1: Any time you start having connective tissue injuries and you're not a young athlete, power cleans and snatches become a liability. Don't even consider it.

#2. Pellet implants are Surgery (risk of infection, messy wound), and injections are merely injections. And any doctor who will use in-office pellet surgery will also be under-dosing the hormone, since they want to implant once every 3 months.

#3. How old is the dog?

#4. I have had these thick porterhouse chops before, but I didn't know they were associated with Iowa. New-found respect.

[J. Keith Nichols MD]

Mike,
As someone that can provide testosterone via any delivery method let me tell you about pellets. Pellets have been around since the late 1930s. They are not used in any randomized controlled trials which should tell you quite a bit. The reason clinics are pushing pellets is because it is the most profitable way to provide hormones. You saw this a couple of decades ago in the southeast and other areas where there was a pellet factory on every corner. Ultimately they went out of vogue but have come back as a lot of practitioners are now looking for an easy way to make a lot of money. The problem with the pellets is yes it is a surgical procedure and you do have the risk of infection as well as extrusion of the pellets. It's also expensive which is why the practitioners want to push it. Pellets are not used any randomized controlled trials because there is in complete and inconsistent absorption so there is no consistency from person to person. It's better than nothing but there are more economical and efficacious ways to obtain it. With pellets you're still going to get a peak and then those levels are going to decline month-to-month until you become deficient again and then you get pellets reinserted. Why does anyone ever want to be deficient? Why do you want your levels to decline from month to month instead of staying consistent month-to-month? So a female can do pellets, or she could do an injection, or she could simply apply a pea size amount of cream once daily that takes all of 5 to 10 seconds and her levels will never decline month-to-month but instead will stay consistent as long as the person is consistent and utilizing the testosterone. So I don't do pellets even though I can because when I sit down and explain all the different methods of delivery (every clinic is supposed to do that and did those clinics that you talk to explain the pros and cons of the different delivery systems?) Nobody ever chooses pellets so I stopped offering them a long time ago. So if you wanna make your provider a lot of money the new pellets. They love it when people pick pellets $$$. And I guarantee you you got a great sales pitch about how great pellets are and about how the levels will stay consistent and your bodies will go in and take just what it needs when it needs it etc... That sales pitch is taught to everyone by the pellet manufacture.

[mtbrown116]

#3. She is 4.5 years old. I have had her for 2 of those years. She was in her Service Animal training the first 2.5 years of her life.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I'm sure she is a very good girl. If she was mine, I'd just play with her, very hard.

[mkm5]

Mike, you reminded me of a local place here that used to serve a 1 pound bone-in pork chop grilled over a hard wood fire. It was their signature entree and they did it right.

So damn good, haven't had anything like it in many years!

Best of luck with your training, and thank you for your service!

[mtbrown116]

This is just the info we were looking for. Thank you.

[mtbrown116]

Will do! Thank you.