Training during recovery from surgery

[Pedal Wench]

I had minor surgery two weeks ago (septorhinoplasty and turbinate reduction). I was cleared to do light exercise, but can't get my heart rate or blood pressure up too high yet. I want to start using the trainer, but is it any benefit to just do some easy spinning to get the legs moving but keep the heart rate down? (Max HR is 184, so I'm thinking about keeping it below 140bpm)

I know I'm not going to gain fitness right now, but I don't want to lose any. It's just driving me crazy not to do anything, and my legs are achy from not moving much. Plus, I figure just being in the cycling position will help my core and arms stay used to riding.

[makbike]

How about a long walk? Following my surgery this summer I walked three times a day. I increased my mileage each day just for the fun of it. I understand what you are going through. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[amymisk]

Ask the doctor for a definition of light exercise. Walking has great benefits, but maybe your ENT is able to give you guidelines on using the trainer.

Hang in there, time goes faster than we realize.

[limewave]

I found doing some easy cycling around the neighborhood, taking longer walks, and using the elliptical helpful when I was recovering from surgery. Also, try some light weight training. I don't know if you can get in the water, but swimming is good too.

[TsPoet]

Another vote for asking the doctor for a definition!
I was recovering from very minor knee surgery and repeatedly asked my trainer if I could go to Seattle to meet with some folks for a bike ride - he said it was an excellent idea.
I was absolutely crippled the next week - told him I only made about 19 miles before I was suddenly in pain and had to turn around and ride the 19 miles back very slowly.
He said "19 miles!!, what were you thinking". I told him I was thinking no one in their right mind would drive 3 hr to ride to ride only a couple of miles and that I'd asked him if it was OK - we just had a major miss-communication
ask, and be specific.

[han-grrl]

When i was recovering from my ruptured ulcer surgery my surgeon actually told me to exercise and move around, but NO BIKING OUTSIDE. So i sat on the trainer. First for 10 minutes at 60 watts. I was so excited. then i built up on time and power. It was all i can do to keep my sanity. I also have my little core routine from my athletic therapist to keep things healing properly.

Anyway, my surgeon did say that my comfort will dictate what i can or cannot do. She doubted the stationary bike, but i actually found it ok for me.

good luck!
H

[Pedal Wench]

Well, the trainer got put off for another night. I had to work late, and by the time I got home, I didn't want to deal with changing wheels and saddles, so I just walked on the treadmill for an hour. Felt great, but my legs kinda were weird - gave out on me a few times. Guess even just a few weeks of taking it easy takes its toll. I kept the heartrate very low, so everything felt okay.

[LBTC]

Felt great, but my legs kinda were weird - gave out on me a few times. Guess even just a few weeks of taking it easy takes its toll.

Your legs giving out on you sounds more like post-surgery stuff than like a loss of fitness. Don't be worried - you will lose less fitness than you think, and, once your body is ready, you will gain it back faster than you think. The wait for your body to be ready will be the harder part.

Hugs and butterflies for a complete recovery as quickly as is good for you,
~T~

[Pedal Wench]

Thanks, LBTC.

It was troubling, and I was glad I had the handrails. It sucks, but I know I went into this at peak fitness (just came back from Ride The Rockies and a few centuries) so I know I won't lose much. But, having your legs just collapse while walking at a blazing 2 mph was a bit discouraging.

I'll try the trainer tonight and see what happens. At least I can't fall off

[LBTC]

Pedal, how long ago was your surgery? I've heard that the anesthetic can stay in your body (and have strange effects like your legs giving out) for up to a month or longer. Blame the drugs, and don't be worried, and hang on!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[Pedal Wench]

Pedal, how long ago was your surgery? I've heard that the anesthetic can stay in your body (and have strange effects like your legs giving out) for up to a month or longer. Blame the drugs, and don't be worried, and hang on!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

Ahhh! Maybe you're onto something. The surgery was exactly two weeks ago today. And, I was under for almost 3 hours (really complicated little nose!) so that might be it! Thank god for handrails, and I will definitely try the trainer before I try the road!

As a hi-jack of my own thread, I can't wear sunglasses for 5 more weeks. Any ideas of how to protect my eyes once I do go back on the road? I'll break out my mountainbike helmet with visor, and I'm thinking I'll just tape my sunglasses to my helmet.

[Pedal Wench]

Update!

I slowly started back on the trainer. It's actually not bad if you watch the Tour at the same time. I started on Wednesday keeping my heart rate under 100. Felt fine. Thursday at 110, and then Saturday, I watch the whole TT stage of the tour, 2.5 hours, at around 130 bpm - wanted to keep it lower, but it was hard to do while watching those boys riding so fast!
Then, yesterday, I finally got on the real bike. I took it slow and easy, and I felt great. My breathing wasn't great, but it's because my nose was running as it does when I ride, and I still can't blow or even wipe it. If it hadn't been raining, I could have gone all day.
Thanks everyone for the input!

L-