Posted by trey_gee on July 01, 2008 at 08:08:51:In Reply to: Considering MMA-- Question posted by EDomain on June 30, 2008 at 21:55:53:
EDomain,
Although I am only 7 months out from my MMA surgery, I couldn't resist responding to your post and perhaps you will find some of this input useful. I too am very active, and so much more now than I was the few years prior to my surgery. I do a lot of running and bicycling and while it was good to get out and be able to do some physical activity prior to even being aware that I had sleep apnea, it was very very difficult for me. My sleep was so poor that I couldn't recover from a workout, and when I did hit the pavement or the bike lanes, I tired quickly and I wasn't seeing any long term gains with my stamina. In short I was miserable and frustrated. Now I easily run about 40 miles and bike over 100 miles per week and am seeing excellent results with my stamina and muscle strength. I am 52 years old, 5'10" and have my weight down to about 175 from a surgery date high of 225 pounds. My physical activeness started only a few weeks after surgery with several walk/runs as I slowly got back into the groove. I can exercise now because I sleep really well, and my sleep continues to improve because I exercise and eat well. I know that MMA has helped me extend my lifespan, and I wouldn't go back to the way things were for any amount of money. Here is the downside however, I am still experiencing some pain which I would characterize as moderate and occasionally severe. The running and biking are two activities where I don't even notice the pain (yippee for endorphins!)so for me the trade off works. As others have posted, it is quite unusual to have a lot of pain this far out from surgery, but there is that small possibility.
On the appearance aspect, well this is yet a different story. You are probably too young to remember a singing group The Monkees, but their drummer was this guy by name of Mikey Dolenz. Prior to my surgery my chin was very recessive. Today, after the surgery (16mm lower jaw advancement) I look just like Mikey Dolenz did back in the 60's. Nearly everybody who sees me for the first time since after the MMA makes this comment. Yes I think my appearance is a bit Neanderthal-ish, but I look like a 30 year old Neanderthal!
So, yes still some pain but activity really mitigates that, and yes I look a bit ape-like, but
my laugh, voice and mannerisms are still me and I am, for the first time in years, very healthy.Hope this helped.
Goldfish