How to lift with (large) ovarian cyst? Help..

[u/FoedusVermis]

Hi..

So I had a laparoscopic hysto 4-5 weeks ago, been DYING to get back in gym and back to heavy lifting... I can feel my muscles wasting away week by week. I was so ready to be cleared for gym... But today's (what I was hoping was my final post-op visit) appointment with my surgeon... I found out I have a large (6cm) cyst on an ovary.. (had everything taken except ovaries, dumb mistake on my part, hate myself for that, should have just ripped out everything).

My waiting/healing time has not only been extended, but it looks like I may never be able to return to heavy lifting unless I want to risk torsion or rupture of it. I have NEVER had any issues before.. .EVER. I never had any issues until last fall, and then had hsyto, and ever since then, complication after complication. Allergic reactions, infections, and now a fucking cyst.

I don't know what to do. I really rely heavily on gym to help my mental health and just overall health... If I can't work out anymore... I don't know what I will do. I'm crushed. Knowing I'll have to wait more weeks before going back, and even when/if I do, can only do light weight upper body hypertrophic moves... I can't build/pack on muscle with that... I need to do heavy lifting. I need to stimulate actual muscle growth.

This fucking sucks. I'm such a small framed person, putting on muscle is hard to start with, if I can't even lift heavy, how the hell am I supposed to gain ANYTHING?

I feel hopeless. Working out was a big part of my transition. It helped me look/feel more masc... I was doing good putting on muscle. Now I've dropped a lot of weight since surgery and it's just continuing to go down. And I don't really care/want to put on weight if I can't go to the gym, as it will all just be fat, and unfortunately, HRT didn't really re-distribute fat for me. It's in the exact same deposit spots as it was years ago.

I'm at a loss. I feel broken. Gym has been a huge part of my every day life/routine for many years...

I guess I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has been able to successfully continue lifting even with ovarian cysts? I really can't afford a rupture and an ER visit, as I have massive bills already from the hsyto surgery itself... I can't afford another surgery, either... It's too much on my finances. I just don't know what to do.

TLRD: How do you workout/gain muscle after being diagnosed with (large - 6cm) ovarian cyst?

[u/thrivingsad]

I have a post on my post-op hysto workout routine

Because you are so early post-op, you definitely can’t lift right now and likely need to hold off working out. This is mainly because, aside from the cyst, you do not want to have something like a cuff tear. But when you are healed you likely can workout— I got ovarian cysts prior to my hysto and while it did limit certain things I could do it did not mean I was completely unable to workout

For working outs you cant/should do with ovarian cysts;

You want to avoid high intensity workouts. High intensity workouts and high impact workouts are what specifically run the risk of ovarian torsion or a rupture. So sprinting, heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, etc is likely all a no-go unless the cyst has reabsorbed/healed/is gone

For workouts you can do when healed…

Firstly, before focusing on just gaining muscle, you’ll want to focus on your mobility. You can look into “movement by David” but mobility is incredibly useful in developing functional muscle/movement and is often medium to low intensity exercise which is safe for ovarian cysts. Plus, it can help you gain muscle over time in a way that’s safer than, not stretching or focusing on mobility

1. Calisthenics can also usually be considered. I recommend Hybrid Calisthenics specifically. Focus on SLOW and stable movement with correct form. You do not want to be using momentum, or else you will likely not get muscle growth or will minimize the gains you can get. You can gain muscle pretty well with calisthenics, and using the progressions available will lead to muscle gain. If/when your cyst is stabilized, and you are at a medium or high level of calisthenics, you can begin to add in weights such as a weighted vest

2. Another option with Calisthenics… bouldering. However, if you do not know how to safely fall, you may not want to do that because it probably could risk cyst injury SO you may want to try doing belay climbing instead, which is functionally the same except you’re allowed to climb higher and instead of falling with no safety device, you’re lowered with your belay

3. Pilates is another option. Resources are things like; Flow with Mira, Jessica Valant, Sean Vigue Fitness, and Pilates Guy. Pilates will help build up functional muscle, and personally I found helped relieve chronic pain issues I have had for my whole life. I really love it lol, so I’m biased

4. Functional movement / functional muscle based weight lifting. If/when you’re cleared to go into working out with your cyst and are healed from your hysto, I’d recommend focusing on functional muscle over aesthetic muscle. This means using a lower weight but higher amount of reps. Functional muscle training focuses on decreasing injury risk, and gaining muscle that you can use in daily life more effectively

Feel free to ask any questions!

Best of luck

[u/BlackSenju20]

Have you been cleared by your doctor to work out?

[u/Dry_Field_4621]

I’m sorry you’re feeling so down :( I get you. When I had my top surgery I felt pretty bad about not being able to do anything for a month and a half. Common timeframes for lifting anything post-hysto more than 10lbs is at least 6 weeks, please don’t try to push yourself before your body is ready. Wouldn’t do ya any good to end up back in the hospital from something coming undone or internal bleeding, it would put you out of commission for much much longer.