Going for ACL Reconstruction in 2 days, any fitness advice :(

[adrian_uk17]

Well i have been hitting the gym hard for the last 2 weeks, doing 6 day weeks, getting my sorry ass out of bed at 6am.

Well the truth is, i am booked into hospital this wednesday for an ACL reconstruction on my knee.

So i am going to be out of action for at least on upper body 2 weeks maybe longer.

I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice in order to stay lean what i can do, i am at my peak in physical strength and fitness, dont think i have been this strong in my life and i am well chuffed with the results and am truly greatfull for all of the info and advice a have received so far from JSF.

Hopefully i will not loose too much upper body mass

[Banditfist]

I just had rotator cuff surgery 40 days ago so I know exactly how you are feeling. The best thing that you can do is continue to eat right. Eat the right things at the right time. Over the last 40 days, I have only been able to hit my legs and cardio on the recumbant bike. I have no doubt that I have lost mass. I just tried to make sure that I am getting enough protein throughout the day to minimize anything catatonic that might be going on.

The good news is that with your knee surgery is that they are going to want you to immediately start using your knee. You will be able to do cardio all day. Not an expert, but I would guess that weight training with your knee will need some time. I know that my shoulder will not be fully healed for six months. I will not be able to really work my shoulder until months 3&4. I certainly don't want to risk reinjury.

Good luck! Don't fret some muscle loss.....you will be able to get it back in due time.

[Enigma66]

Since you mentioned it twice I'm assuming it isn't a typo -- why would you lose upper body mass/strength if you're getting your knee operated on? I'm assuming you'll be on crutches for a while, but you'll still be able to hit the gym, won't you?

[Coachese]

Originally Posted by adrian_uk17

Well i have been hitting the gym hard for the last 2 weeks, doing 6 day weeks, getting my sorry ass out of bed at 6am.

Well the truth is, i am booked into hospital this wednesday for an ACL reconstruction on my knee.

So i am going to be out of action for at least on upper body 2 weeks maybe longer.

I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice in order to stay lean what i can do, i am at my peak in physical strength and fitness, dont think i have been this strong in my life and i am well chuffed with the results and am truly greatfull for all of the info and advice a have received so far from JSF.

Hopefully i will not loose too much upper body mass

Well, I had ACL/MCL reconstruction surgery about 3 years ago but I wasn't lifting at that time. I still haven't gotten my left quad as big as my right quad I hate to say it, but you will lose MUCH of the muscle definition in the affected leg (especially the quad). You won't be able to put ANY weight on the affected leg for months. However, now, aside from some occasional numbness around the knee, I was back to full strength (for me) in about a year --also, I was grossly out of shape, and very non-athletic at the time.

However, nothing should stop you from lifting for your upper body. Maybe check out Txitalians guide to 8x8's where he cut without the use of cardio? (since you will be doig NO cardio for months).

Good luck mate.

[adrian_uk17]

You guys are right, i am going to get back down the gym and do upper body as soon as i can drive myself there, i have been told that i will be back on the static bike within 2-3 weeks, all be it wont be at the level i do it now, think HIIT is probably a no no, but i should be able to go fairly quick and as long as i can keep my BPM up in the high 130's i would be happy, just means i will have to do it more often i guess

Been looking forward to getting the OP for so long and now its here i just want it to be over and done within a month, but things just arent that easy in life............. I will get though it, thanks for your replies guys!

Speak real soon.

[adrian_uk17]

Just had a long look at the 8x8 routine, sounds very gluelling. But could be an option if i cannot get any heavy cardio on my legs for a while.

Has anyone got any diet advide to try and keep as much muscle mass as possible?