I've had a pilonidal cyst for probably close to a year now. Had the cyst drained in early December and will probably get surgery soon. Being active and working out is a huge part of my life. I was wondering how long after the cleft lift surgery did you workout? How long until back to 100%? I know it varies with everyone, but just looking for personal experiences
How long after Cleft lift surgery were you able to exercise?
- Thread starter Jordan99
- Start date
Cory1
New Member
Hey Jordan,
Definitely opt for the cleft lift surgery!
You sound just like me! My largest concern was getting back to the gym! I was back to light exercising after 4 weeks. I waited a full 8 weeks to start lifting as usual including bench and overhead presses. I didn't do any squats for a few months.
I probably could have started sooner, but I just wanted to be safe. Recovery was not bad at all! Much better than I expected.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Definitely opt for the cleft lift surgery!
You sound just like me! My largest concern was getting back to the gym! I was back to light exercising after 4 weeks. I waited a full 8 weeks to start lifting as usual including bench and overhead presses. I didn't do any squats for a few months.
I probably could have started sooner, but I just wanted to be safe. Recovery was not bad at all! Much better than I expected.
Hope this helps and good luck!
2 days post cleft lift I did some light chest work with cables and added in some arms. The next day I also got in some light back work. I’m now 5 days post surgery and have been getting in very light cable upper body work. At least enough to keep what I have and get a little pump until I can get back to lifting normal.
I’m going to wait until I am VERY comfortable sitting before I add in any leg extensions but may add in the standing leg curl machine at the end of the week. No squats for quite some time unfortunately but I was SUPER surprised when I was able to get in there and move a little bit the past few days
Keep me updated on your progression!
Will do! So today I am 6 days post op and I must admit I think I overdid the walking this weekend. On Saturday my wife and I went and did some shopping and I walked a ton. Today I went back to work and had to wear normal pants and they definitely aren't comfortable on the incision. Everything still looks super good just a little soreness. Every day I can sit better and better. I am trying to walk a little less these next few days but still plan on getting in some light exercises again and limit the walking between sets.
Well it seems like really good progress! Fortunately everything is going well! Do you use any cushion for sitting/driving? Or any other adjustments in terms of daily life?
flamingoezz
New Member
I couldn't sit comfortably for over a week, let alone think about working out. I'd give it at least 2 weeks, and maybe more before you start light workouts.
Everything is going really good so far! I do experience some discomfort with sitting still that’s for sure. I’m exactly a week out today. I use some foam padding to sit on when I drive and at work and that helps a ton! I am a chiropractor so I haven’t really been able to adjust like normal this week but thankfully my coworkers have been able to take over my patients and they totally understand. Wearing normal pants isn’t the most comfortable thing at all. I can’t wait to get home and change into sweatpants that’s for sure. Yesterday I laid off the workout but felt better today so I got another cable chest workout in with some ball pushups too so I’m super happy about being able to do that!
Just to update I’m Day 12
Feeling super good. Little tiny bit of discomfort when sitting on certain chairs (soft ones). I have been able to sit and use hammer strength chest machines and today I could use the lat pull machines and a few row machines. Can’t do the cable seated row as that is too uncomfortable and I just don’t want to push it at all. Shoulders and arms I do all standing still.
As far as legs go, there is no squatting recommended for 6 weeks and there is no way I would even think about attempting that at this point anyway. I was able to get some leg curls in the other day. I sat in the leg extension machine and that was uncomfortable so I’ll wsit for another day!
Feeling super good. Little tiny bit of discomfort when sitting on certain chairs (soft ones). I have been able to sit and use hammer strength chest machines and today I could use the lat pull machines and a few row machines. Can’t do the cable seated row as that is too uncomfortable and I just don’t want to push it at all. Shoulders and arms I do all standing still.
As far as legs go, there is no squatting recommended for 6 weeks and there is no way I would even think about attempting that at this point anyway. I was able to get some leg curls in the other day. I sat in the leg extension machine and that was uncomfortable so I’ll wsit for another day!
Thanks for the update! I scheduled my surgery in about a month, so I am trying to get in as much exercise beforehand before the reduce in volume and training frequency. I am glad everything is going fine! I'll make sure to update my progress once the time comes after my surgery to see the progress and hopefully it's as steady and forward progressing as yours! And thankful that by the looks of it, i won't be completely immobile for a considerable amount of time because it was daunting to think about losing considerable progress because of a problem out of my control.
But i'm here for more updates so if its not too much trouble, keep it coming! Also, do you deadlift? Have you tried? How long do you think it would be before it is comfortable?
I was able to get pretty comfortable on the leg extensions today so that was good. All that I can do for legs currently is extension and curls (laying and standing). I just want to be super careful and not engage glutes a lot as I don’t want to harm the incision at all. It still isn’t very comfortable to stretch that area much either. Hopefully 2 more weeks and I can add in some deads and rdls. I also think I could do leg press and hack squat in a few weeks but will probably lay off on actual squats for awhile yet. I am basing this all off how the last 2 weeks have gone and if it continues to heal this fast. I have wishful thinking haha.
As far as laying on a bench for flat, incline, etc. I’m nowhere near being able to do that. I can do most every back exercise aside from bent over rows because it stresses the area. Also cable rows because the seat is uncomfortable on it.
Congrats on scheduling it by the way! Where are you doing it?
My local surgeon who did my I&D will be performing it. I'm hoping even though he isn't listed on this website, that the results would be equivalent
It seems like you can do more and more everyday! Which is amazing. From the sounds of it, i'm hoping i can maintain some progress, while knowing i'll lose strength on the major lifts for being unable to perform them for about a month
The awesome thing though is that muscle memory will have you right back to where you were in no time! When is your surgery scheduled for?
Exactly 3 weeks from today, March 6th
How's the recovery process going?
Sorry I haven't posted! I was going to this weekend and forgot. Recovery is still going really well. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks post surgery. I only have discomfort when I lay back on the couch and occasionally in bed, but otherwise it feels great! Workout are pretty normal now and I can do some things laying on my back. No dumbbell bench or anything because rolling back still puts too much pressure on it. I have still been sticking just with leg extensions and curls because he strongly urged to wait until 6 weeks and I did some lunges and that was on the verge of discomfort so I just avoided them. All other workout are normal now aside from what I mentioned above. I am SO happy I did the surgery, it has been WAY easier of a recovery than expected. I can't wait until I can add back in all my lower body stuff though haha.