Had an laparoscopic appendectomy about 3.5 weeks ago. Just curious if anyone else has dealt with that or hernia surgery since the procedure is similar? Planning on returning back to the mats lightly soon. Everything I've read says 4-6 weeks.
Feel pretty good so far but definitely don't want to push it too early.
so i've never had anything like this, but i did break a rib 2 months ago. well, the doctor said it was a 4-6 week injury, so of course, 4 weeks later, i was back in the gym drilling. learned a butterfly sweep, about the 2nd rep on top, got flipped, re-broke my rib. i know you say you don't want to push it too early, but that part can't be emphasized enough, because i'd be training saturday morning, rolling 100% if i wasn't thick-headed. now i'm unnecessarily missing more time training, getting in worse and worse shape. don't be me.
I've dealt with the ribs about 4 years ago, not fun. Probably took me about 3 months to train normally again and they felt sore in the spot I cracked them for over a year. I'm considering technique only until after about week 6 and maybe training light with my 9 year old. May even wait until about the 8 week mark to roll normally again.
If it was only laparoscopic, 4 weeks is enough, as long as you feel okay.
Sean Bollinger just had this exact surgery about a month ago. Maybe he can chime in with some advice.
I had one last year. I was back training technique at 2 1/2 weeks, and light rolling at 3 1/2 and was rolling hard at 6. Just be careful of the site, dont get too carried away with dynamic movements in the beginning(avoid an incisional hernia) Its going to feel weird, pulling, pinching ,etc. Took about 3-4 months until the site, (the main one over the belly button, not the other two) started to not feel...awkward, or weird. Cant explain it better than that, it just didnt feel right at the site and imagine thats because someone cut a hole there.
I was also told 4-6 weeks, but, well, I obviously didnt listen, decided to be careful, didnt get in to deep,took breaks if I needed it and didnt get to acrobatic in my movements until I felt comfortable doing so. Flow roll, pick your partners( even just drilling reps, pick your partner), and feel your body, if it feels wrong, back off, but at least you will be moving. Communicate with your partner too.
Scar tissue possesses more collagen, but is less flexible, and a scar never heals "stronger" than other skin in that regard. At the end of a years time it is roughly 80% of what your normal skin is.
What your trying to avoid is a hernia ultimately( thats your worst case scenario other than infection), but with laparascopic appendectomies the risk is relatively low. As the incisions are small. If yours is like mine you have 3. One main one over the belly button about 8-10 mm and two much, much smaller ones, one being to the side, and one down, or sometimes one on each side.
In any case, that was my experience, and I am not going to say it was the "right" thing to do, but I spoke to my doctor about ( He will always say take the most time you can)and honestly, my job was much more initially taxing physically and I had to go back to work early anyway because, well, bills to pay, so there was some urgency anyway, and while jiu jitsu will always be there, my electric will not be if that money isnt in the account.
Hope all goes well with your recovery, hopefully you have been taking walks, stretching slightly, and eating right as well. Vitamin C, fish oil, light movement,and a good diet helps with recovery a shit ton.
Good info man. Basically the same incisions that I'm dealing with. It's tempting to get out there and roll but I definitely don't want a hernia. I'm at the 4 week mark and feeling like I can do technique and warm-ups, maybe some light rolling. I'm thinking Your timeline sounds like a good one to follow based off how I feel so far.
Whenever you feel up to it swing by and get some rolls Blake :) It would be nice to train with you again.
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Originally Posted by Scott Philips
Sounds good buddy. Been a while. Glad to see y'all got things rolling over there.
I had a hernia surgery done in 2008. It only kept me out a week or so.
A week? Dude that is intense coming back that quick. Hell, I could barely walk week 1 due to incision pain.
I had an open hernia surgery November 6th, 2015. I had a plug put in and mesh as well.
I had 6 weeks off rolling and returned with no hitch until last saturday.
Believe it or not, I have been rollling hard, lifting carefully light reps for now, all my body weight training/ plyometrics/ jumping ect......then I returned to Yoga. I did lots of twisting stretches and pulled up sore all around the surgery site/scar. I imagine ive stretched scar tissue and it hurt enough to pull me up fast.
Doctors say its scar tissue stretching too. Tonight I rolled lightly for 50 mins with not too much pain thankfully so thats my Hernia strory, and an update since it all went down in Nov 2015.
Hope it helps.
Happy healing
Sounds good. I've been doing some stretching, technique, and light rolling with my kid. Next Monday I'll be at 6 weeks. Still feel an occasional pull here and there but overall feel good. Looking forward to getting some rolls in soon.
Definitely helps. Thanks for the info!