T Nation

Training Post-Bowel Cancer Surgery

Injuries and Rehab
#1

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:

#2

By seated overhead pressing you mean setting the bench to 90 deg for back support, right? If not then I’d be careful about that.

Hope you recover well, hell of a thing to go through.

#3

Cheers, yeah it is not fun, but much nicer than being sick! I do mean ohp with back support. With the above I can hit most muscle groups, just a pity my legs can’t get much work

#4

[quote]panzerfaust wrote:
Cheers, yeah it is not fun, but much nicer than being sick! I do mean ohp with back support. With the above I can hit most muscle groups, just a pity my legs can’t get much work[/quote]

I mean if I was you, id cut out OHP and hit some seated side laterals

#5

[quote]BHOLL wrote:

[quote]panzerfaust wrote:
Cheers, yeah it is not fun, but much nicer than being sick! I do mean ohp with back support. With the above I can hit most muscle groups, just a pity my legs can’t get much work[/quote]

I mean if I was you, id cut out OHP and hit some seated side laterals
[/quote]

Good point, I hadn’t thought of side laterals at all, will throw them in the list!
My goal is purely to get active again and start getting some muscle back, so I’m open to pretty much any lifting exercises.

#6

[quote]panzerfaust wrote:

[quote]BHOLL wrote:

[quote]panzerfaust wrote:
Cheers, yeah it is not fun, but much nicer than being sick! I do mean ohp with back support. With the above I can hit most muscle groups, just a pity my legs can’t get much work[/quote]

I mean if I was you, id cut out OHP and hit some seated side laterals
[/quote]

Good point, I hadn’t thought of side laterals at all, will throw them in the list!
My goal is purely to get active again and start getting some muscle back, so I’m open to pretty much any lifting exercises.
[/quote]

Keep positive, if your feeling tired maybe split your training sessions into 2 shorter sessions during the day. Isolation

#7

I have no advices for you, but will be following along as always. Here’s to good health and good lifting in the new year!