UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi

With a graft due soon, I was wondering if there was anyone on here who has had a graft, and carried on with their weight lifting after their operation? And if they did, how long they waited.

I understand after the graft I will not be able to do such things for a while, but I am hoping this won't be forever, infact I want to start training again as soon as possible.

Hope someone can shed some light on this for me.

Muz

mzfp2

We all vary. I was told no 'sport' for six to eight weeks after the graft. some have been advised to abstain even from all sorts of intimacy.

Best advice I can give is that you ask your consultant. Tell him or her the sorts of training you have in mind, and the values you are used to pressing. Your ophthalmologist will then be in a position to give you advice.

All the best.

do you have a date for your graft?

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your reply, I can live without training for a few months, but I dont think I could live without ever training again as its a natural partt of my daily life!

My graft is on the 6th April, hoping all goes well

All the best on April 6!

do you know if they are planning a DALK or PK graft?

Either way, I am pretty sure that you will be able to get back to trsining after a bit, but probably not right away!

Andrew

mzfp2 wrote:Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your reply, I can live without training for a few months, but I dont think I could live without ever training again as its a natural partt of my daily life!

My graft is on the 6th April, hoping all goes well

Doing without the training I could do without (like I train anyway), lack of intimacy could prove a challenge though - will have to prepare the spare room I think!

Good luck on the 4th April - will be thinking of you.

Paul

mzfp2

Like Andrew said, recovery varies from person to person.

When I had my graft I was too told tnot to excercise for 8 weeks+. I wasnt doing any weight lifting a such, but general CV work was still a no no.

Best advice I can give is that you ask your consultant and another thing right down all the question you (regardless if they sound silly or stupid).

thanks for your replies, I have a pre op assesment on thursday so i'll be asking the nurse my questions, regarding a PK or a DALK, I have no idea ... I think it wiill be a full graft coz I do have very deep scarring and alot of it!

Thanks once again.

Muz

Weights wise; youll have to stop for at least 6 months.....thats being a realist and honest...and you will need to be very careful whilst doing anything in the gym.

I had the Full PK and had to stop training overnite...was a shock to me.....as I had been training near 4 days a week since 15!! so going from 13 years training to Zero was a massive blow to me and my body!....however I did get back to light cardio at the 2 or 3 month mark....weights wise I started at around 20% of weights pre-graft and had stayed at that level untill the 6-7 month mark......I am now probably at 40% mark....but I am very careful...and I always ensure I breath during the straining parts...NEVER hold your breath as the pressure in the head and eye can easily rip open the sutures.....not to give you scare stories...but my Consultant has seen a fair few corneas actually rip open after people have gone back to the gym too early under the assumption that they can push the same weights....(not a nice thought I know!)......

Also, try and avoid the Compund movements until at least 9-12 months; so no Squats, Rack Deads or Deadlifting......or at least none with weights either side that will cause you to strain

The best person to give you an indication will be your consultant.....as he can actually determine how the healing is going

Hope that helps

J

Paul

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
By way of impaired sight. Out, out, brief candle!
I see but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is cleared by knife: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing but a journey back to light"

Apologies again to Mr Shakespeare (McBeath)

Andrew

Best of luck for your graft! I wasn't concerned about weights or gym work etc but was really upset to not be able to swim anymore!! Due to the big risk of infection it is difficult to be able to swim again which is hard as i used to go around four times a week.

Hoping to be able to go back soon but yes ask your opthalmologist loads of questions as they are best to advise you.

Sweet X x X