Long story short, I just got over shattering my elbow about 5 years ago only to get knocked over doing squats that resulted in the SLAP surgery I just had last week.
I want to get back in shape quickly, I am 41 years old. I used to exercise daily with heavy lifting 3x a week. A lot of the people I know started doing testosterone around late 30’s and have been keeping in great shape.
I don’t want a crutch, but if it can really help me I’d like to talk to my doc.
I am recovering quick. I only took two percocets (one on the way home since it was recommended and one at bed time that night since it was recommended) since then no pain meds and I am getting mobility back nice. My doctor said I may be in a sling for up to 4 weeks but 7 days post-op had me out of it. I am happy and was able to cut my own grass 
(my shoulder hurt that night sleeping though, doctor says it will be expected).
My SLAP was type II and done arthoscopic.
Any advice is appreciated.
I have had four shoulder operations, the most recent was in September of last year and was a SLAP repair and coracoid debridement. My advice, first and foremost, is to have a good physical therapist and go twice a week and do the exercises every day you don’t see the therapist. Stop mowing your lawn, you aren’t far enough out to start pushing yourself like that. Your doc is an idiot if he didn’t call you an idiot for doing that. I was 28 at the time of surgery, and it was at least 3 months before I would attempt manual labor. Take your time and recover correctly - otherwise you will make shit way worse and end up under the knife again…and again…and again.
That said, you probably posted this in the wrong forum. This is for people who have been tested and their bodies don’t produce enough testosterone. You may want to ask in a different sub-forum if my answer isn’t adequate. And I’m only taking my time to answer this because I have a soft-spot for shoulder injuries. You really should have asked in the appropriate forum.
About 2 months after my September surgery I found out I had low T. Once I started TRT I immediately noticed that I was moving better and getting stronger more quickly than before. If you get tested and find out you are low (along with the myriad other tests to find out why) then going from low to normal T levels will help recovery a ton. TRT is for life, and if you don’t have symptoms of low T don’t get on TRT. If you only want to do Testosterone as part of your post-surgical recovery then I would go talk to the guys over on the steroid forums. Don’t get on TRT just to help recover from surgery, but if you do in fact have low T, you will notice that your recovery will go a lot faster once you bring your T levels back to normal.
I want to repeat this: Don’t rush your recovery! Stick with your therapy protocol and knock it off with the manual labor for now. There will be plenty of lawn left for you when you’re at 100%. SLAP tears are serious business, and the repairs (anchors) need time to bind your labrum to your glenoid. Right now you have anchors in your joint that are holding you together - don’t push it, or they could re-tear!
Take it easy, and keep me posted. Make sure to post any labs you get if you are thinking about going the TRT route.
Sorry I missed this. Still learning the site and used to automatic notifications on posts from other forums I take part in.
I had to have a major debridement as well. I have an excellent PT. My surgeon was sort of against her since she uses aqua therapy, but after over a year in traditional PT; she fixed my shattered elbow. She really pushes you (of course if you want it). People think “big pool” and just floating around, but she makes you do a ton of stuff outside that pool. Then when you are in it she puts flippers on your hands. I will admit many sign on to just float around, I was making waves.
She was upset today I didn’t continue when I told her it’s my last session. I have been guarding my left arm and now it’s time to let it work. I have 10 sessions left if I need them. My surgeon says I am not the first guy to have this kind of recovery, but it’s pretty unusual. In all honesty my surgery plus my BMW’s major maintenance between 30-40k and a couple other snafus had me taking on a ton of debt. PT was costing my $105 in co-pays plus another $30 in gas each week. I am happy I feel good now, but the financial hit from this would have been better if I wasn’t looking to have to move any day now. I need to get all this drama out of my way and this albatross off me.
Since this post I went and got tested. I was at a 328 total Test. Really bad. Just did my first shot two days ago and my HCG/e-block today. I was at my primary care physician today as well because due to all this mess my blood pressure and cholesterol are out of wack. She is very conservative and wasn’t happy about HRT, but agreed at my levels something has to be done. I am in the middle of a bunch of stuff right now, but I did get my labs sent to me this morning so I will update the threads I have started.
This didn’t help me much since to do this is about $30 a week, I have spoken to quite a bit of people that have done this and they all had major life changes for the better. To me that is really worth it. The guy that got me started actually is an old high school buddy. He is also a doctor now. He was always athletic and majorly into marital arts. He found he was having a lot of issues like mine. He discovered HRT and now prescribes it. At 41 he is competing at MMA where real champs are on the score cards. He has had opponents chickening out. He has his 18 year old body again at 40+ pretty much.
Just saw my surgeon yesterday and have been cleared to return to normal lifting. He said as long as my form is good and I am not doing anything unconventional, I can start ramping up the wieght.
My left shoulder actually feels better than my right.
My gains have been pretty steady. I started three weeks ago with doing maybe 30lbs for 15 reps (dumbbells) in bench, yesterday I was able to do 60’s for 12/10/10. My squats have gone from 95 to 175…etc. I have a long way to go, but I am happy.
My waist is down 2 inches and I have shed about 15lbs. My stomach is much flatter.
Energy levels are very high, I can keep going now.
I am getting bloodwork done at the 8 week mark, my surgeon doesn’t need to see me anymore. My primary care wants to keep a close eye on my blood pressure and trigycerines. She also doesn’t believe in TRT in men under 50-60…so I see another doc for that.
One side effect from my weight gain and inactivity was developing a Diastasis / Diastasis Recti. Basically my abs split down the middle. Women get it during pregnancy at times. I will be seeing my primary care for treatment advice. Until then I am avoiding crunches and leg raises which are contradictive to the condition.
7 weeks back, last workout of the week is Saturday. Getting happier again. My knee bothers me more than my shoulder at times.
Back up to 80-90lb DB bench press, 60-65lb DB overhead presses all for 5-10 reps depending on sets. Rest of my lifts are ramping up nice as well.
