8 Years, One Month, two days.....

[bustasinclair]

I thought I was bulletproof.

I thought it could never happen to me, I'm too careful.

Well, on Thursday morning at about 7:40 am, 8 years, one month and two days after starting my fitness journey, I finally have a MAJOR injury!

It happened on bench press. I was testing my strength so that I could set up my training for the next three months leading up to my next PL'ing competition.

I was also doing some upper back training, so I was pretty warmed up after doing about 6 sets of T-bar rows. My bench progression went like this:

135 x 12
225 x 8
275 x 3
315 x 2
350 x 1 + ...........

Sure, I could have squeezed in a few more warm up reps, but I felt great.

First rep at 350 was smooth as butter, I lowered it very slowly, touched to my chest for a two count and slammed it up with good force. Felt nice, so I went for a double. Even the spotter was like, dude, you got three of these. I lowered the second rep at the same speed. Tapped my chest this time, and then pressed. It too was smooth until about 8 inches off my chest. I was pressing and heard a ripping sound like velcro coming apart and Pop! I held it there as long as I could as my spotter tried like hell to do a 350# BOR. Guys came running over and slid plates off as quickly as possible and saved me from being crushed.

Luckily for me there was a Doctor there who proceeded to get me some ice and motrin from the convenience store across the parking lot. Spotter saved me from some other uncertain doom. For that, I am very thankful.

I'll say more for those interested. Ask away!

Pics:

[shaneinga]

Ouch Busta, sorry man. That sucks. Heal fast man.

Good thing your spotter saved you, 350 pounds is a ton of weight to have over you.

[mirroroferised]

Really sorry to read this. Hope you heal up quickly man!!

[ChazWood]

Well that fukking sucks. Sorry brother.

The bad news is that it may need more than dirt rubbed on it to fix.

The good news is that you're a fukking warrior and you'll overcome.

Please keep us updated.

[Jtbny]

Damn Matt that sucks to hear. Hope it heals up fast! I always wonder if there is some sign that something is around the corner when it comes to injuries like this.

Your pyramid up looked like plenty to me. I can't imagine you weren't ready to handle heavier weight. How long do you think it will take to heal and does there need to be any surgical intervention in order to get things back to normal or is it just time?

[pryme]

Man sorry to hear this and see those pics. Hope it heals well.

Knock on wood. I'm at about 20years now without something like this.

[bustasinclair]

Ouch Busta, sorry man. That sucks. Heal fast man.

Good thing your spotter saved you, 350 pounds is a ton of weight to have over you.

Thanks, Shane. Spotter deserves major kudos as 350 is some heavy stuff.

Really sorry to read this. Hope you heal up quickly man!!

Thanks, Man!

Well that fukking sucks. Sorry brother.

The bad news is that it may need more than dirt rubbed on it to fix.

The good news is that you're a fukking warrior and you'll overcome.

Please keep us updated.

Thanks for the props, Chaz. I'll keep updating this thread. Yes, dirt won't fix this.

Damn Matt that sucks to hear. Hope it heals up fast! I always wonder if there is some sign that something is around the corner when it comes to injuries like this.

Your pyramid up looked like plenty to me. I can't imagine you weren't ready to handle heavier weight. How long do you think it will take to heal and does there need to be any surgical intervention in order to get things back to normal or is it just time?

Therein lies my fears going forward. My right side is my strong side. Absolutely zero indication of any problem on the horizon. All I can guess is that righty was getting sick of over compensating for lefty.

Surgery is definitely needed. MRI Friday showed a complete tear. Right chest is double the size of the left because it's not attached to my arm and the muscle belly (pec minor) is balled up under the pec major.

Thanks for the well wishes, John!

Man sorry to hear this and see those pics. Hope it heals well.

Knock on wood. I'm at about 20years now without something like this.

Good on you for going that long. I always thought it would never happen to me. Thanks, Man!

[MrNismo]

Ahhh man so sorry to see this happen to you. Many years ago I was spotting a guy on DB bench and his tricep snapped. To this day I will never forgot that sound. I hope your healing goes well. If anyone can come back stronger it is you

[ljimd]

Owwww!!! Sometimes the freakin iron wins.

Heal fast brother.

[NorwichGrad]

Matt,

You are without a doubt one of the hardest working members here.

Sorry to see this happen to you.

Hope you heal soon.

[Bo_Flecks]

Therein lies my fears going forward.

There's always fears moving forward after a bad injury like that one, Matt. When you are out of the gym because of one, it feels like you'll never get back to your old self. This will all be nothing but an ugly memory soon.

ETA: It won't be long before

you shave your body and oil up and have other men judge you in your panties you find out that you're still imperfect

again.

lulz

[bodyhard]

Thats some f'cked up sht right there.

How long does something like that typically takes to heal?

[ironwill2008]

Very sorry to hear of this, Matt.

[bustasinclair]

Ahhh man so sorry to see this happen to you. Many years ago I was spotting a guy on DB bench and his tricep snapped. To this day I will never forgot that sound. I hope your healing goes well. If anyone can come back stronger it is you

Yeah, that sound will haunt me until the day I die. Thanks, Man!

Owwww!!! Sometimes the freakin iron wins.

Heal fast brother.

Thank you, Larry! The iron definitely won that day.

Matt,

You are without a doubt one of the hardest working members here.

Sorry to see this happen to you.

Hope you heal soon.

I appreciate the props, Joel!

There's always fears moving forward after a bad injury like that one, Matt. When you are out of the gym because of one, it feels like you'll never get back to your old self. This will all be nothing but an ugly memory soon.

ETA: It won't be long before



again.

lulz

LOL, I saw that guys post in that thread that got locked. I didn't have the energy to respond anyway. Good times.

I know you have had your share of misfortune in the iron game. You, too, are a warrior. Thanks, Steve!

Thats some f'cked up sht right there.

How long does something like that typically takes to heal?

Hey, John. I have heard three months, but it depends on the severity.

Also, I don't have insurance, so there is a good chance the surgeon will turn me away by asking for a down payment I cannot afford. I'm crossing my fingers. Hoping to know something today.

[bodyhard]

Hey, John. I have heard three months, but it depends on the severity.

Also, I don't have insurance, so there is a good chance the surgeon will turn me away by asking for a down payment I cannot afford. I'm crossing my fingers. Hoping to know something today.

Wow, damn that is f'cked up, hope it works in your favor Matt, here is to a speedy recover man!

[Get-n-fit]

Ouch man, looks painful!!
Is surgery needed?
Either way, I hope you heal up quickly!

[itsagoodday]

Aw man, that's awful. So glad the spotter and others were there though! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[bustasinclair]

Wow, damn that is f'cked up, hope it works in your favor Matt, here is to a speedy recover man!

Thanks, John!

Ouch man, looks painful!!
Is surgery needed?
Either way, I hope you heal up quickly!

Yeah, surgery is definitely needed. Thanks for the well wishes!

Aw man, that's awful. So glad the spotter and others were there though! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thank you! Yes, I owe the spotter big time. I plan to go in tomorrow and thank him in person.

[bustasinclair]

Quick Update:

The MRI disk just arrived at the surgeon's office after lunch today. They are trying to slot me in for an appointment tomorrow afternoon. If that slot doesn't become available, it will be Wednesday morning.

I was cleared to do light cardio and legs as long as my right arm is not involved at all. Good news there!!!

[Iceman1800]

Hopefully they can get you on the table this week. I've had 5 lifting related surgeries so feel free to pm me with questions or concerns.

[Jtbny]

Quick Update:

The MRI disk just arrived at the surgeon's office after lunch today. They are trying to slot me in for an appointment tomorrow afternoon. If that slot doesn't become available, it will be Wednesday morning.

I was cleared to do light cardio and legs as long as my right arm is not involved at all. Good news there!!!

I see a lot of safety squat bar squats in your future

Good news about getting in that fast.

[bustasinclair]

Very sorry to hear of this, Matt.

Thanks for the concern, Bill. I will return!!

Hopefully they can get you on the table this week. I've had 5 lifting related surgeries so feel free to pm me with questions or concerns.

That was my thinking. If not, it will be after July 4th holiday, which would suck.

Thanks for the PM offer!

[bustasinclair]

I see a lot of safety squat bar squats in your future

Good news about getting in that fast.

Haha, you got that right!

Not out of the woods yet. My hope is that if he has to turn me away that he can recommend a newer surgeon who needs surgeries under his belt and will do it for a smaller fee and less up front.

Not gonna lie, I'm scared ****tless that I will have to just deal with it without surgery and be a gimp.

[Plateauplower]

Wow that's awful Matt. I would be trying to find the best sports surgeon I could regardless of fee etc. That's not something I would want to roll the dice with a resident. You have a lot of years ahead.

Edit to add I spotted a guy today benching 365. He and I were the only guys in the weight section. If that would have happened to him he might not be alive, cause there would be little I could do. Really makes you think.

[pius36]

That is awfull, sorry to see you do that to yourself. Best wishes for a full and fast recovery.
What a joke that we live in one of the richest nations in the world but can't even offer health care to people who need it.Also disgusting that a surgeon will turn you down cus you don't have enough money, what a disgrace.

[trev71]

I thought I was bulletproof.
My bench progression went like this:
135 x 12
225 x 8
275 x 3
315 x 2
350 x 1 + ...........
Sure, I could have squeezed in a few more warm up reps, but I felt great.

That is basically my exact warm up. So I'm a bit spooked now.. hah.

Damn, GL with the surgery and heal up!

[bustasinclair]

Wow that's awful Matt. I would be trying to find the best sports surgeon I could regardless of fee etc. That's not something I would want to roll the dice with a resident. You have a lot of years ahead.

Edit to add I spotted a guy today benching 365. He and I were the only guys in the weight section. If that would have happened to him he might not be alive, cause there would be little I could do. Really makes you think.

Thanks, Tim!

The surgeon I was referred to is a good one. Don't want to drag my personal financial issues into this, but I have no options. I'm willing to gamble with a junior surgeon. I understand what you're saying. I guess I'm just a bit less risk averse than you.

Yeah, 365 is some heavy ass weight. I have a feeling you would have figured out a way to save him when your adrenaline kicked in. It is something to ponder.

That is awfull, sorry to see you do that to yourself. Best wishes for a full and fast recovery.
What a joke that we live in one of the richest nations in the world but can't even offer health care to people who need it.Also disgusting that a surgeon will turn you down cus you don't have enough money, what a disgrace.

Thank you for the well wishes. I cannot blame the system on this. I knowingly let my insurance go. It's my fault.

[ElrondHubbard]

Just, just ouch, man. Reading this gave me shivers. I've got no spotter, so I rely on safety bars. But bars or no, that's not something I would want anybody to go through. Hope it all heals up ok and in good time.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Dang....................

Heal quick brother.

[kimm4]

I'm so sorry to see this. I'm such a fan, always have been and I have no words. Healing vibes to you my friend and you'll be back even stronger no doubt!