Return To Shooting After Heart Surgery...When?

NevadaBob

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
421
Reaction score
206
Location
Reno, NV
I'm having heart surgery July 2 and am wondering if there is any "wait time" for pistol target shooting after surgery. I shoot 9mm & 38 Special with normal to mild recoil (115-124 grain reloads). Thanks for any help.
 
Register to hide this ad
Well, ask the doctor. But, I wouldn't think there will be any issues with 38 and 9mm handgun..

I had it done 20 years ago and had to lay off skeet shooting for a few months....12 ga hurt!!:)

By the time you heal enough to want to go pistol shooting you should be good to go.

GOOD LUCK..............
 
These days they tell people to get active right away. Hopefully as soon as you get to where you won't pull the staples/stitches out you'll be able to shoot.:)

What is with the "staples/stitches"?? My chest was put back together with super glue............
 
You will know when you are ready.
I have more zipper scars than Frankenstein and It took a while for me to wander up the hill in my back yard.
My activities are limited more by chemo/radiation side effects though.

Hope you burn some powder soon.
 
I'm having heart surgery July 2 and am wondering if there is any "wait time" for pistol target shooting after surgery. I shoot 9mm & 38 Special with normal to mild recoil (115-124 grain reloads). Thanks for any help.

First, unless you know that your doctor is "gun friendly", don't mention firearms to him/her. Many in the medical profession are on the opposite side of the gun issue (I know, my wife has to deal with it at work all the time). Second, when to come back depends on the procedure, I've had stents done on a number of occasions, one time I had the procedure on a Friday and shot a match the next Tuesday. I think you will know when you are ready. :D
 
Had my chest cracked a few years ago (bypass) and the surgeon took the best two months of our shooting season away to give my chest time to nit back together. If it doesn't nit properly then where they split it open just rubs together for the rest of your life.
 
I'm having heart surgery July 2 and am wondering if there is any "wait time" for pistol target shooting after surgery. I shoot 9mm & 38 Special with normal to mild recoil (115-124 grain reloads). Thanks for any help.

That's a question for your health care provider
 
It depends a lot on how you heal. You've got to give the incision time to close back up properly. And particularly how the rib cage heals.
I asked my doctor the same question. He wouldn't let me shoot so much as a .22 for two months. :(
 
I got back out in about a month after double bypass.
As mentioned above, your body will tell you.
Only issue with the dr. is his/her limitations on lifting things.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies & well wishes. Gives me a general idea. I certainly don't want to rush it, things need to "knit" back together. The procedure is an ascending aortic aneurysm repair and aortic valve repair/replace. I'll be having an angiogram Tuesday to determine if a coronary artery bypass graft is needed. I'm under good care doc-wise and spiritually (Jesus). Appreciate your comments.
 
The actual shooting portion should be fine a week after you get released. Now as far as looking at the price of ammo!!!!!!!!!!!! You better wait a few months before you do that.

9mm pricing is slowly dropping, but it is nowhere near where it was 3 years ago when you could pick up a 100ct value box for $14.99 on sale.

Now, $14.99 is the new normal for 50.
 
Depends on the surgery.
I had a fourple bypass 2 1/2 years ago. The whole sternum broken open, etc.
I was discharged on Sat. afternoon (I've forgotten how long I was in the hospital, post surgery. Maybe 5 days?), by Tues. I was so bored, I drove myself to breakfast.
I was back at work after 6 weeks.
I was still very sore, and afraid to shoot. I finally picked up a .380 after about 6 months.
I didn't fire a .357 for about a year.
You may do much better, I was just over cautious.
A rifle will be a whole other problem!

Oh, I also couldn't wear a seatbelt for about 7 months.
It's still uncomfortable and irritating.
They described the feeling I would be having as "bugs crawling over your skin", but mine was more like an irritating chemical burn.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
 
Had a quad done the end of July last year, a week before my sixtieth b-day month later had my right carotid done. The surgeons PA said to wait till next year for hunting. Shot my 625 about three months later no issues. Yes it was like a driver Sun burn and numb at the same time, it's still numb and my neck is he'll to shave. Hope you do well don't get in a hurry! Try to get up and walking as soon as you can.
Good Luck!
 
I had it and generally they won't let you pick up anything 10# or over for 10 weeks. I'd say about 3-4 months recovery though. Take my word when they crack that sternum you really won't want to lift anything or feel any recoil for a long while.

Shooting hell, you can't even get out of a chair, in and out of bed, or God forbid sneeze for a long time before you feel like you won't blow your chest apart. You ever been run over by a freight train? That's what it felt like when I came out of recovery.
 
Last edited:
My dad had four bypasses and a new cow valve installed, and his surgeon gave him the green light for low recoil handguns at about 4 months. He didn't do a great deal after that until his death but qualify annually to meet HB 218 requirements.
 
Back
Top