Loss of strength in back/arms

[CBH192]

Hi guys,

7 weeks post op for OHS and where I’ve being very careful with chest/back area etc obviously my strength is not as good now and feels like my arms are a bit weaker now as a result, hope that makes sense? Anyone else had this? Is it just a case of not using my muscles as much, they just need time to build back up? Thanks!

[gilreid1]

You will have time to build up your upper body strength. I used 3kg dumbbells after 10 weeks. Follow all the advice from your rehab team. Take it slowly it took me about 12/16 weeks

Take care

Gil

[CBH192 in reply to gilreid1]

Thank you Gil feeling stronger in general in terms of the op, just didn’t take in to account the loss of upper body strength. Doh! Silly really. Hopefully starting cardiac rehab in the next few weeks!

[Chappychap]

Yes, this happens to pretty much everyone. After the age of 30 you normally start to lose muscle mass anyhow (by the age of 65 you've potentially lost up to a quarter of your peak muscle mass) add on the forced immobility following OHS and you'll see your strength really fall off a cliff.

The key thing is don't be in too big a hurry to start resistance exercise to gain it back. You need a good three or four months following your operation before starting any kind of weight regime, and even then start low and build up slowly. There have been people on this forum who over stretched too early and ended up back in hospital.

The good news is that you can get it back. Twelve months after my surgery I was stronger than I'd been for many years, I can bang out 100 press-ups or 30 pull-ups now and I probably haven't been able to do that since my late 30's.

Good luck!

[CBH192 in reply to Chappychap]

Awesome thank you I just noticed lifting my arms to a certain level (without weights of course) my back/shoulder muscles just feel so weak! Like they get to a certain point and think nope no further lol! I think I’ve noticed it where I’m a bit more mobile now. I’m hopefully starting cardiac rehab in a few weeks so maybe that will help too!

[Hidden]

Only your arms and back you say??? When I were in’t hospital I couldn’t move ‘ead, arms, legs, back - ‘ad to b e fed, you’ve ‘ad it easy 😏

Seriously, it does seem to be a normal thing to experience post OHS. Just take your time and listen to your body…

[tapfoot]

Yes! The normal strength in my left shoulder and arm only returned at about 10 months post OHS. And the ache at the top of my shoulder joint has only just gone approaching 12 months post-op. It takes time. There has been no physio/ cardio class available due to covid so I’ve just improvised and tried to regain normal movement and strength with day to day activities. Happy to say I can how haul a heavy wheeled briefcase for around 2 miles a day for work ( outreach teacher- books are heavy) . I wish you health, strength and patience!

[andy110519]

I had mine just over 2 years ago and still haven't got full strength back, I'm 51 for reference. I can still overdo it if I am trying to push my hands together eg tightening a stubborn bolt I guess because the resultant force is trying to pull your chest apart.I also had physio about 18 months after for my shoulders as they were still giving me trouble.

Take it it slow and easy to start with and after 3 to 4 months build it up and listen to your body.

Good luck with your recovery.

Andy