shooting after surgery

longwalker · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:49 pm Post subject: shooting after surgery

Four weeks ago I had bypass surgery. I know I 'm not the first to have this happen. Has anyone here gone through this proceedure? If so when did you resume shooting long guns?

The doctors and nurses all look at me like I'm nuts for even thinking about it.

It may be an other handgun deer hunt, darn.

longwalker

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

A friend of my dad had quad bypass ... 3 days later he was back to work in his cabinet mill. I dont know what the doctors told him but he felt good enough to resume (some) work within a few days. I'm an advocate of following doctors instructions but in the end it comes down to how do you feel.

-DallanC

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

I'm not sure there is a hard and fast rule here. In the absence of rules I guess it will depend on how you feel. I had an operation for Spinal Stenosis about 6 months ago. It's not as bad as it might sound. They make an incision in your lower back, go in and thin out the nerve endings.
I was in the hosital about a week, and one week after that was at the range for the entire day with no problems. I'm still not walking pain free but sitting at the firing line causes no grief. I think that you'll probably have to be your own judge on this one. You might have to avoid the young chicks for a while though! They can really hurt a guy. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject: Shooting after surgery

I agree with these good folks. It depends on the medical advice you receive and how you feel. I have had several eye surgeries. After the lens implant, it was weeks before I could lift, bend and shoot. The lasik surgery was easier and I was shooting .22s a week after the procedure. All the best...
Gil

longwalker · Guest

Thanks guys,

Looks like Sunday I will go shoot a few rounds of 45 acp. That should be easy. If I feel good after that I may touch off some 44 magnum. I guess I'll just wait until I see the surgeon in August.

Best Regards,

longwalker

nedrob · Rookie Member Joined: Sep 04, 2005 Posts: 9

The rule of thumb for bone healing is six weeks. Soft tissue like ligaments and tendons take between 8 and twelve weeks. The main issue you have to discuss with your MD is your cardiovascular health what exactly are current and former problems and how it relates to your hobby. Don't give up demand an answer one that makes good sense and is without bias. Good luck with your new lease on life. regards john

Gil Martin · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:55 am Post subject: nedrob

Welcome to the Forum! Good to see you here and hope you post often. All the best...
Gil

nedrob · Rookie Member Joined: Sep 04, 2005 Posts: 9

Thanks for the welcome Gil. I am impressed with this website for many reasons not the least of which is the pleasant and helpful nature with which the members communicate. regards john

515034s10ring · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:04 am Post subject: Re: shooting after surgery

You know, this is a great subject because many shooters (including me) are and have been adversely affected by surgery.

Mine was anterior lumbar surgery that the final result had made my situation worse. Now i can no longer shoot a compound bow, and have a hard time shooting rifles while standing as well. In essence, i lost a severe competitive edge because i used to shoot in a bow league and various rifle/shotgun sports, which i don't have the ability to do now....unless i'm shooting while on pain meds, and like that's ever going to happen because i don't shoot high!

The thing in my case, i had a doctor say that i'd be fine to shoot again..... Well, it's been about three years since and i use my lower body (lumbar) as a pivot point as least as possible. Although (and thank God) pistol/revolver and precision rifle shooting has been a great strong point of mine, i can shoot rifles in a sitting or modified prone position, and i'm trying triditional archery now which 'so far' i'm having minimal problems shooting a recurve (which it seems my recurve is 3 times lighter than what my fully dressed compound was).

But i will admit this, the pain i deal with now has given me the ability to not 'jump the trigger' so to speak, and has calmed my nerves quite a bit. Very Happy

How many others have been affected by any other surgeries?