Resuming Shooting after Heart Surgery?

[JohnT]

Two weeks ago I had open heart surgery. I feel very fortunate, and I am thankfully on the mend. My doctor says it will take 6 to 8 weeks for full recovery. The sternum needs time to heal, like any broken bone. I am curious if any THR members have had similar surgery, and what their experience was returning to shooting. Right now, the thought of shouldering my Marlin 44 Magnum or a 12 ga. shotgun is a little frightening. Any others with their own experience? Thanks!

 

[Preacherman]

I've had a few shooting buddies in this situation. Uniformly, their doctors stated that no heavy-recoiling shoulder gun should be fired for six months after surgery, because their chest muscles, tendons, etc. were long-healing things. One tried a shotgun after three months, and ended up having to go in for more surgery to repair the damage he'd caused!

Take it slowly, and don't rush things. I'm glad the surgery worked!

 

[HankB]

My mother had heart surgery (triple bypass) recently. She's doing quite well, considering her age and history of cigarette smoking.

She's not really a shooter, but her doctor said she could resume "normal" activity like driving and such after about 5 or 6 weeks, but she should avoid heavy lifting for a full 12 weeks, as that's how long it would take things to heal up "completely." My inclination would be to wait for "complete" healing before even THINKING about shooting something with significant recoil.

Your doctor - NOT a stranger on the Internet - ought to be your best source of advice, but I'd work up to that 12 ga. real gradually. (Note what happened to Preacherman's friend, who tried a 12 ga. at 3 months. Maybe 12 weeks isn't enough time to heal up for something that kicks like that.)

Good luck on your recovery.

P.S. If you don't have one already, maybe a light-recoiling .22 or .223 would be a good thing to buy now?

 

[feedthehogs]

JohnT,
Had heart valve surgery in Jan 02'.
Was home a week later kinda sore and tired easily.
Being I was home all day and bored for 4 weeks I shot a .22 in the back yard in a rest.
After 4 weeks, I drove to the range and shot nothing more than 9mm for another 2 weeks.
I was given a clean bill after my 6 week surgery check up and just progressed back to normal reducing my shooting if my arms got tired.
I did approved exercises to strengthen my arms back.
Key was moderation and if I was tired I quit.
No rifles at all for 6 months for me to heal the bones. Docs orders.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Probably never.

My wife had open heart surgery 9 years ago and the doctor told her NO VACUUMING!

I'm still doing the vacuuming.

 

[CWAdams]

In '98 had 5 way bypass surgery. Took about 8 weeks before I had the inclination to shoot pistols, but did so without any problems. Started the 12 ga. about 5 months in, with no ill effects. Best advice I got in rehab applied to shooting as well as everything else -- "if it hurts, don't do it".

 

[B36]

375 H&H

Had 6 bypasses on 10 Mar 90, did not shoot my 375 H&H until early July . No problem.

Best to listen to your doc.

 

[mnrivrat]

I would tend to error on the side of safety. 5 to 6 weeks is NOT enough time and I tend to agree that 6 months minumum should pass before shooting anything of substantial recoil.

I had to have a second surgery to re-wire the sternum which didn't heal properly the first time. Complications from the re-wire brought me way to close to playing a harp , so my advise is to not screw around with a long healing process. Have patience !

 

[MICHAEL T]

Do what Doctor says . I had quad by pass 12 aug 03 Ive never totaly healed and now on Social Security. Doctor can't tell me what happened just sometimes body can't stand shock of operation. Only good thing I gave up smoking.

 

[JohnT]

Thank you for all the replies. I am impressed with the number of people with experience and first hand knowledge. The various cautions about shooting rifles too soon are well received. I have a lot to be thankful for, and waiting 6 months is not unreasonable.

 

[fistful]

Isn't Cheney still hitting the game fields with Rhenquist? (sp?)

 

[P95Carry]

Take it easy John - in this situation I would just have a ball - with .22's!! Probably pistol for most part then rifle when the hold is manageable... beyond that - caution is the watchword.

I'm still doing the vacuuming.

Hmmm .... got into a rut there Larry methinks!!

Hi Sandy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just noticed John ... joined 2002 ... 2nd post!!! Wassup??!!!

 

[sfhogman]

Had a double bypass in Oct. '01. I'm back to shooting everything I own and have been for quite a while. Listen to your doc and err on the side of moderation. Patience!
I do hardly any rifle or shotgun, but was shooting my 1911 about four months after the surgery- maybe sooner. My accuracy had deteriorated, needless to say, but boy, did it feel good!
It's gonna take about 8 or 9 months to be completely healed, I believe- so it was for me, though I was back at work 9 weeks after the surgery. I have a fairly active job, by the way.

We have a lot to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff

 

[Roadkill]

Not heart bypass (glad you guys made it) but I had a ruptured disc removed a few years back, got carried away and fired a Enfield carbine in .308 way too soon, the recoil set me back several weeks. I was run over by a Humvee four years ago, the front right wheel centered my chest, really got messed up with that one, was nearly six months before I could shoot high powers (03, 03A3, Garand, .303, 8mm, ect) without tears after each shot. It will take a while but at least you are still here with the option of more time.

rk