Post Shoulder Surgery Ramp Up

[JstnGSD]

Last week I had surgery for a torn labrum which had prevented me from lifting for the better part of a year. The biceps tendon was damaged so he cut it and reattached it to the humerus with a screw. I was told not to load the shoulder till December. When that time comes I plan on doing SS.

My main concern is not tearing out the screw. With that in mind, is it safe to start the program with 135 BS, or should I start with an empty bar and go from there? (if that's the case what would be a safe amount of weight to increase from workout to workout).

Thanks

[Mark Rippetoe]

The weight on the bar will be quite irrelevant, I assure you. The critical factor will be the position, and doing it with a broomstick will be most fucking painful. You are correct in the desire to not tear loose the screw. Move as much as you can, but be careful please. Don't do anything stupid, like either be absolutely still or try to wash your hair with the hurt-side hand. The shoulder will tell you how much weight to use, WHEN IT IS TIME.

[JstnGSD]

Thanks Coach