Minimizing Post-Surgical Atrophy

[Dyabolic]

I had posted this in the Injury and Rehab subforum, but there is so much more traffic up here, I hope to get a little bit more action.

Greeting everyone,

I ruptured my pec yesterday (confirmed by the best orthopedic surgeon in Austin). I have my MRI scheduled for tomorrow, so we don't yet know whether the tendon tore from the humerus or whether the muscle tore from the tendon. Regardless, the road to recovery is going to be long and arduous. I've mostly come to terms with the fact that I could rehabilitating my chest for months if not years. My surgery is scheduled for Monday.

I've worked so hard to put on the mass that I have now, and I want to minimize the atrophy as much as possible.

I've already bought Biotest BCAAs and Creatine to try to limit the atrophy through supplements. I plan to train my lower body as much as possible without putting any stress on my chest (leg extensions, standing leg curls, body weight lunges, body weight squats, eventually moving onto Smith machine squats, safety bar squats, squats with a Manta Ray). Upper body training isn't really an option generally until at least 8 weeks after surgery when I'm scheduled to start my physical therapy. I might attempt to do some unilateral work with my non-injured side insofar as it puts NO stress on my wound. I will not take ANY risk of rupturing it again.

I've accepted atrophy will happen. How can I minimize it?

How should I adjust my diet? I'm carrying about 18-20% body fat right now and had just started my summer vanity diet when I tore my pec. Should I keep my Calories high, adding a bit of fat to try to keep mass, or should I take this opportunity to try to lose some unwanted body fat since I'm going to be dropping weight anyway?

Can anyone recommend any other exercises that I haven't mentioned that I can perform while recovering?

Here's the big one, and what I need to most input with. I will be in an immobilizing brace for upwards of 6 weeks after surgery. Should I ask my doctor is he will prescribe me testosterone or another anabolic to combat the catabolism? If my doctor will not prescribe test, should I seek alternative means of acquiring steroids to combat the muscle loss?

I appreciate any feedback anyone can offer. Thank you.

[crazy mike]

Wow, sorry to hear all that bud. I just had a hernia operation but my rehab is only 4 weeks. too much but not like you so I send my regards so to speak. I have no clue as you see but I just wanted to step up and wish you well. That's all I got. Chin up....crazy mike

[Dyabolic]

Hey man, thanks for the encouragement. I need all I can get right now. Every time a new person asks me what's wrong with my arm and they start asking me how long it will take to recover, I start to lose it a bit.

[APIs]

Here's the big one, and what I need to most input with. I will be in an immobilizing brace for upwards of 6 weeks after surgery. Should I ask my doctor is he will prescribe me testosterone or another anabolic to combat the catabolism? If my doctor will not prescribe test, should I seek alternative means of acquiring steroids to combat the muscle loss?

Doctor will not prescribe AS so forget that. 6 weeks being immobilized in a brace = atrophy. There's no way of getting around it. Be more concerned about healing properly. My advice would be to follow your surgeon’s recommendations, eat right & take the physical re-hab very seriously. Many people blow off re-hab & start working out again too early. That's the worst thing you can do. Remember, PT is basically meant to create an irritation at the surgical site which promotes blood flow, healing & increases range of motion. I was in a similar situation myself from a distal bicep tear. Recovery is a long road, but it can be a very gratifying experience in the end if done right. Good luck...

[Dyabolic]

Doctor will not prescribe AS so forget that. 6 weeks being immobilized in a brace = atrophy. There's no way of getting around it. Be more concerned about healing properly. My advice would be to follow your surgeon’s recommendations, eat right & take the physical re-hab very seriously. Many people blow off re-hab & start working out again too early. That's the worst thing you can do. Remember, PT is basically meant to create an irritation at the surgical site which promotes blood flow, healing & increases range of motion. I was in a similar situation myself from a distal bicep tear. Recovery is a long road, but it can be a very gratifying experience in the end if done right. Good luck...

I plan to take my nutrition and PT VERY seriously, and I have accepted that there will be atrophy. That being said, if I could distill the question from the OP: Can I significantly reduce the atrophy by using anabolics during my rehabilitation? I of course will ask my doctor, and I recognize that there are some concerns of weakened tendon strength at the cost of reduced atrophy.