Guys:

I am looking for some anecdotal experiences regarding big bore shooting after major surgery.

A couple of weeks ago I had open heart surgery--quadruple bypass. Everything worked out fine, and in fact I was released from the hospital earlier than most who've had a similar procedure.

I can't drive for another couple of weeks and have some other restrictions.

I shoot in a skeet league and will probably miss the spring rotation--that's OK; at this point I have no interest in shooting anything.

I see the surgeon on March 24 and with luck, I'll be cleared to drive. At that time I'll ask him about resuming the shooting sports and will follow his instructions.

I shoot a .375 H&H and a .458 Win Mag, and wonder when I'll be able to send a few rounds downrange? I don't have any trips planned but do like to punch paper every few months, just for fun.

If any of you have had a bypass procedure and would like to comment on resumption of activities, I'd appreciate hearing your experiences.

Again, I'll follow the doctor's instructions without fail; I just would be interested in how others have fared after an event like mine--which, by the way, was totally unexpected--I'm 67 and in reasonably good health; the blocked arteries showed up on a test to rule out blockage as a factor in a much less serious problem I was having.

I was lucky--due to the amount (90%+) of blockage, I was a heart attack looking for a place to happen.

Damn glad to hear you will be OK!

Yes, glad to hear everything went well and you are doing well.

My father had open heart surgery some time ago. What delayed his return to some of the activities, including doing some shot gun shooting, was the time the breast plate took to heal.

When you visit your doctor on the 24th, you should ask how long that might be. I am sure he will have at least a rough idea.

JPK

Glad it is taken care of, and you will be fine.

You might want to read the book by Caldwell Esselstyn
"Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease". It is the program that President Clinton is following after by-pass surgery and later a stint. He was told to look into this if he wanted to help raise his grandchildren. The diet is no fat vegan, but you can always add an exception of meat from any game that you personally shoot.

A friend of mine had this surgery a couple years ago. His doctor told him 6 months assuming he stuck to the fitness program they recommended, but that some individuals needed 9 months to a year before it would be comfortable.

Nitro I got opened up in March and started shooting my 30 Gibbs mid-summer and used it for guideing that fall. My chest was sore for almost a year due to my working abuse but the next year my 358 Norma was online and the next yr back to the 425 Express. I use a lead sled to get my 458 close and then shoot sitting a few shots at a time to fine tune!

Glad you are fine and recovering quickly. Take care.

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
...was the time the breast plate took to heal.

When you visit your doctor on the 24th, you should ask how long that might be.
JPK

This is the medical issue, ask you MD about your sternum relative to your case.

Ditto on viperidae...I had a quad 6 years ago and ask my doctor the same question...He said "I wired you up so tight nothing will break it...but I guarantee you won't be wanting to do anything but sit in a chair, unmoving, and watch videos for at least 6 weeks due to the discomfort and pain.

He was right and I can pretty much shut pain out of my consciousness...not this time...too much over to large an area.

It took about 2 months until the hurt went down enough to move around with mid level hurt and to shoot small cals. I worked up to the large cals over the next several months.

This is one time you should get off the macho wagon unless you're a sado-masochist and love pain...then have at it. Your body will tell you when it's time to get hairy legged and he-maled.

AND...LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR.

This might be of some use, at least regarding recoil discomfort:

I use an Evoshield shirt/recoil system. Works like this. T shirt is very stretchy and tight. There is a pocket for the pad. The pad comes in a plastic envelope with a catalyst. You mix the catalyst, mount the rifle and hold it until the pad hardens. I made a little sling from the basement ceiling to hold the rifle. The pad is about double the area of the rifle butt, so spreads the energy over a much larger area.

Evoshield makes a lot of sports stuff, like batter elbow guards. Cost for the shirt and pad is around $70. It really takes the sting out of my 458 Lott.

Best wishes for a good recovery.
Brice

Guys, thanks for all the advice, guidance and good wishes.

I went to the surgeon today, who pronounced me in good health and recovering without incident. I won't be seeing him again; now the cardiologist takes over.

I am cleared to drive, lift up to 20 lbs, and do most other low-impact activities.

Fortunately, in talking with my surgeon I discovered he shoots a lot of sporting clays, so I didn't have to worry about any anti-gun/shooting prejudices.

I am to wait at least 12 weeks from my surgery to shoot (or fly fish, run a weed-eater, play tennis, or engage in other activities that involves pulling, overhead motion, or recoil), and then it will be up to me how I feel.

That will put me back on the skeet field shooting sub-gauges around the middle of May.

He also said shooting a 7x57 or 30-06 in November for deer season shouldn't be a problem.

I think I will err on the side of caution and take things slow. Doubt I'll shoot any big bores until about a year has gone by. Maybe sooner, if I feel really good, but as I said above, the 375 and 458 are just for fun, to check the zero and make sure the handloads are still working--no need to rush as I have no DG trips on the books.

Again, thanks for the advice and support.

Glad your healing up and hairing over..Thats not a internet decision my friend, thats between you and your doctor!!

I had valve replacement three years ago and waited three months before I started shooting my new 404 Jeffrey (it came from AHR about 3 weeks after surgery). It was great fun when I finally was able to go test it!

I had my open heart surgery in January, along with 1/3 of my right lung taken out. Still undergoing chemo and radiation therapy until mid-July. At close to 71 years old, healing is slower for me. I won't even think of shooting anything bigger than a .22 until a couple of months after I'm pronounced healed. A gun at .30-06 recoil level maybe after a year but nothing at .416 level for two years or more. It's not worth it for me to have my chest split open again by getting back to shooting the big bores too soon. It would be bad if I were in the African bush with my chest split and thousands of miles from competent emergency medical care. Take your time and heal properly.

Double for the Evoshield. Took the bite right out of my large caliber rifles. I finally realized I'm not 25 any more. Next month I'm looking at 68. Guess the 'ol bod ain't what it used to be.

I'd start slow and move up if it doesn't hurt! Loading down even with a .416 will keep a smile on your face. That's what I'd want!-Rob