(just venting and complaining to get it out) Was getting back into the Sunday habit of lifting then a walk or jog after lunch and kind of enjoyed it. Stayed in bed as long as possible because there was nothing else to do except train and I wanted to savor the time. Shot new check-in photos after the session to see the state of things after three months of recovery. Plenty of regrets. Compared to pre-surgery on the left side of each photo and current on the right. Spent hours deciding whether to share them at all. Furious that three years of work disappeared during the period I could only do limited training. Knew the arms would take a hit from the shoulder procedure and the bicep lat teres changes but the quads vanished too and the new fatty cellulite on inner thighs and stomach was unexpected. Back to square one I guess.
Took updated progress pics today three months post shoulder surgery—
how much muscle progress is lost after three months of shoulder surgery recovery
The original poster vents frustration over losing three years of gains in arms and legs during recovery, noting unexpected fat and cellulite changes. Others respond that proper healing time prevents worse long-term damage and that muscle memory means regaining strength will be faster than starting from zero. Personal experiences highlight learning patience during the rebuild phase.
What this discussion establishes- Healing time was required to avoid additional shoulder problems
- Arms were expected to suffer but leg mass also declined noticeably
- Recovery puts the person at roughly square 1.75 to 2.5 rather than complete reset
- Muscle memory allows future gains in about four months instead of three years
- Rehab phase can be used to build mental resilience alongside physical return
Nothing here is advice.
Bodies go through ups and downs with steps forward and back when problems arise. You gave it the healing time required. Skipping that would likely have led to more issues and an even longer setback. No point in beating yourself up now that the proper recovery window has passed. You can move forward knowing the shoulder is secure and rebuild gradually from here.
I am so beyond despair. Same situation here though I never had nearly the muscle you carried. From what I know internally it is not square one you are on. More like square 2.5.
I had shoulder replacement last August. It set me back but I treated the rehab and rebuild period as a chance to practice patience and stoic thinking with gratitude. Focused energy on mind and spirit while slowly restoring the body. It is working. Trust the process and better days will come.
Split the difference at 1.75. You guys are right. I really hoped the step backward would not be this large. Expected to lose the arms or at least the one side but hoped the lower body mass would hold. Still many months before the shoulder allows hack squats and serious leg work again.
Alright then I'll try to brighten your mood. The next attempt shouldn't require three years at all. Something closer to four months when handled the right way.
Those cell nuclei hang around in the muscles afterwards which is basically that memory phenomenon.
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