Simple question; how long did you wait before lifting weights after you got your j-pouch?
I hear hernia can become a problem if one is not careful. Please do share your thoughts on this as weights are calling me more and more each day.
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After my pouch was completely done, I was probably lifting weights 2 and a half months later. I was definitely taking it easy and it was about another month before I was pushing myself more. Everyone is different and we all have limits, don't push yourself too quickly and take it easy when you start.
I went back to my powerlifting and core training pretty quickly, but I started very very light. I was lifting light weights between each surgery, usually about 4 weeks after surgery. But I started with about 20% of my previous max, and did very high numbers of repetitions. I gradually added weight and reduced repetitions. I also returned gradually to core stretching and training (it was very painful until the scar tissue was all stretched out). I was back to a 'normal' routine after about 4 months. However I have never put on my belt, as I am afraid it would hurt my pouch. I try to empty my jpouch really well and do not eat for a couple of hours before lifting. I have not had any incontinence, but sometimes I do have bathroom visits between sets.
Lifting is *not* risk-free for J-pouchers , but folks may judge it worth the risk if lifting is important to them. The usual suggestion is to wait six weeks after abdominal surgery to resume “unrestricted” lifting. A lifting belt can’t harm the pouch, and might help prevent some (but certainly not all) potential injuries.
The most likely lifting injuries related to J-pouch surgery are probably incisional hernias and pouch prolapse. Girlunky’s lower weight/higher rep transitional strategy probably reduces the risk substantially, but some risk persists over the long term. One approach could be to adopt that strategy permanently instead of transitionally. A J-pouch isn’t original equipment - it’s more like a clever Rube Goldberg invention, with some vulnerable attachment points.
Yes, well I did give up on the idea of competing in powerlifting again. I always leave two reps on the floor - meaning I don't push to my maximums ever.
The signals our body sends us about our lifting limits are mostly about muscle exhaustion, and don’t tend to provide good information about surgery-related risks. That being said, the less weight you lift the lower the risk. I know that is irritating information.