Post op upper body exercises

[MtBiker]

Anyone know of any good post op upper body exercises so my arms don't totally atrophy? I've been doing supported curls with 5 lb weights - about 40 a side, supported wrist curls (the same) and reverse wrist curls. I can't come up with a safe tricep exercise though since the ones I usually do put my arms above my head or behind my back in an awkward way that's probably not good for the sternum.

Any ideas?

 

[epstns]

I can't help much there. I didn't get back to push-ups for over a year. I was afraid it would hurt, I guess. I did start with bench presses using light weights (15-30 lbs.), but even that was well after the usual healing period for my sternum.

 

[ElectLive]

If you do a search for threads started by our member "TheGymGuy", I believe he's put together very thorough discussions of exercises at various stages of recovery, including the initial period when caution is in order for the sternum. He is a powerlifter but pretty sure at least one of his threads was geared towards giving just general approaches for anyone.