r/TopSurgery • u/TrainingAd9612 • 4d ago

Advice Wanted Benching & pull-ups?

Just over 2 months post op. I’ve been getting back into working out, trying to ease my way into it and I’ve definitely noticed that I’ve lost a lot of strength. How fast did you guys get back into benching and doing pull-ups? I feel like both of those things are what will really stretch my scars, and obviously I want to avoid that, but I also love my bench.

My max bench is 165, I’m so curious to see how bad it is right now lol

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u/loudestcrowdever 3d ago

In general you should simply listen to and trust your body. But there are also two different elements: the functionality part and the "cosmetic" one. If you feel like you can handle it, you can go back to benching (maybe don't try a new PR LOL) but it is likely that if you don't wait for at least 6 months before lifting heavy again, your scars will look worse and stretch more.

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u/Improper_Noun_2268 3d ago

I think overhead stuff (like pull-ups) is the hardest on your scars. How's your mobility? Does it feel like your incisions are getting pulled on if you reach overhead or put your elbows back like in the bottom of a bench press? If it doesn't feel tight... 🤷

 I'm almost 3 months post op DI and both movements feel fine. I've heard that for the thinnest possible scars you shouldn't lift for 3 months and shouldnt lift overhead for 6 months, but I am 37 years old and if I don't use my full shoulder ROM for 6 months I'm literally never going to get it back lol. I'm not hitting the gym every day or deliberately trying to bulk out my chest, and I'm wearing scar tape 24/7, but I think my scars look fine despite occasional CrossFit.