| EliteFTS

Being strong going into surgery is so important. My shoulder surgery was such a success. The most important part of my rehab was listening to my Doctor. If I have one word of advice for anyone it would be to get strong and stay strong. Being resilient and overcoming injury is so important, not only to our bodies but to our mental state.

Nobody can predict injury, it happens to athletes, it happens in accidents, it happens at work when people trip and fall. Injuries are never foreseen but can be easier overcome if you take precautions with your body.

Also, a must read, Signs & Symptoms Of Injury, Not To be Ignored.

I am happy to report I have full range of motion with my shoulder. My lifts are going up and I am pain free. I'd say I'm making progress. This never would have happened so quickly if I did not take the 4 months off work as prescribed by my Doctor and taken the time to re-strengthen my shoulder and the rest of my body.

I am prepping for my first Powerlifting meet 6 weeks out on June 18th, the RPS Nationals. This meet is simply to get myself back on the platform and build some confidence. My lifts won't be lifetime P.R.'s for me but for 8 months post surgery they will all be P.R.'s. If I lost anything from this injury it would be my confidence. Lifting is a continual learning curve and retraining your body to lift all over again can be a great thing. Leaving all bad habits behind and starting from scratch the proper way.

Some of my training highlights post shoulder surgery are :

Belt Squats and GHR's were my go to post injury and during my recovery until I could get under the straight bar again.

Deadlifts were my strongest lift and will be again, there is no pain when I deadlift and my ultimate goal is to pull 500 lbs.

Kettlebell swings came back quickly, this is a huge P.R. I have never swung a 115 lb kettlebell before.

Pushups were part of rehab at the 3 month mark only from the wall of course but it did not take long to do full range of motion pushups without pain.

Bench Press, how I tore my Rotator cuff so I'm hesitant on this move, 200 Lbs is my P.R. I am back up to 145 Lbs post surgery.

Kettlebells were my main go-to for rehab and the reason my tendons and ligaments are so strong and surgery was such a success. This was my first competition post surgery, all reps on left arm, 10 min set.

Squats, hard to get back under the bar with my ROM but I have finally did it, thanks to both Ken my Hubby and Coach and Dr. Ken Kinakin for the shoulder treatments to allow me to get back under the bar. Post surgery I have squatted 275 Lbs, my P.R. previous was 355 Lbs.

Kettlebell Compounds are amazing, trying to get my right shoulder even with my left, Kettlebells are the best tool in your gym if you use them correctly.