Returning to your normal routine following a traumatic event like thyroid surgery is important, as it can help to bolster your psychological confidence and reassure you that recovery from your ordeal is not only possible, but highly likely. However, before jumping headlong into a relatively strenuous activity like weightlifting, some prudence is required. Making a gradual return to weightlifting with relatively minor steps can help you to avoid any possible complications down the line.
Instructions
Weightlifting After Thyroid Surgery
1. Consult with your physician to obtain his advice regarding the recommended recovery period before you receive the green light to return to the gym. According to information from Cancer Research UK and the American Thyroid Cancer Clinic, recovery time from thyroid surgery can vary greatly. Some individuals are back on their feet the next day, while others need to wait up to a week or two before returning to work and textracurricular activities. An average, relatively cautious period to wait before returning to the gym is about two weeks.
2. Don't begin your weightlifting by picking up where you left off. Take a more gradual approach. Use weights that you consider extremely light for all of your exercises to avoid potentially overstressing your body during your first days back in the gym. Remember that you will soon be lifting as much (or more) as before the surgery, so do not injure yourself or trigger complications by pushing too hard too soon.
3. Work back to your normal weight levels after a week or two of taking it relatively easy. Even after resuming lifting with your normal working weights, you might want to avoid any direct neck training to avoid irritating the site of your surgery. This means avoiding exercises like neck bridges, neck harnesses and shrugs. Beyond this, you will also want to avoid any exercise that triggers even the slightest pain in the affected area, as it is far better to avoid an exercise for the time being than to cause surgical complications.
Tags: your normal, After Thyroid, After Thyroid Surgery, avoid exercise, before returning
