Hi guys,
My 2013 training was cut short by bowel cancer. In November I had open stomach surgery (sweet groin to sternum scar) and removed tumour + two thirds of my colon, and half my stomach.
Anyway, I am today ticked off as “surgically recovered” 6 weeks post-op and I would love to start lifting next week. I will be receiving chemotherapy but I really want to resume training as this will help keep me sane and hopefully slow the weight loss.
I’m down to 76kg from 96kg pre-cancer @6 foot. No idea how weak I am, but previously could deadlift over 500lb so I’m not new to lifting.
I’m posting for advice on exercise selection, and for tips from anyone who may have experienced a similar situation.
I train at home with a power cage, FID bench and heaps of weights. I can’t do any exercises which involve direct abdominal work, so I am thinking this limits me to:
-seated overhead pressing
-non arched bench pressing (incline and flat)
-seated curls
-chest supported rows
-flyes
-calf raises
With time I hope to graduate to standing exercises, but right now I really want to avoid stressing my core - the surgeon said “no direct abdominal work” and “no heavy lifting”. Since I am 20kg down in body weight, I think avoiding heavy lifting will be easy haha.
My specialists haven’t suggested any particular supplementation or nutrition… I’m able to eat whatever I like, though due to having half my stomach removed I struggle to eat much over 2000 calories thus far.
Any advice whatsoever would be appreciated - thanks.
Previous training log here: