When looking to return to athletic training following surgery, the first thing you need to remember is that you must follow your doctor’s instructions. He or she will know what’s right for you and your particular situation.
Everyone wants to get back to his or her normal routine as quickly as possible after surgery. When you’ve been out of training for too long, it can take that much longer to get back to where you were. However, if you don’t adhere to the instructions you’re given, you might not recover as quickly as you would have. If you have questions about the recovery process, it’s best to ask them before you even have the surgery. Go into the procedure knowing all the “before, during, and after” facts, confident that you are doing the right thing for you.
Wait the recommended time before you restart any type of training. Your doctor will let you know how long he thinks is appropriate for you. Typically, it is between six and 16 weeks. You can train areas of the body that are unaffected by the surgery but be careful not to overdo it and end up with uneven muscle tone.
When your doctor gives the okay, start your training slowly and follow every instruction given. Over a short time, you will begin building up strength. In a reasonable amount of time, you can increase your scheduled workout but proceed cautiously until your doctor has said that you have fully recovered. You want your recovery to progress as smoothly as possible.