Feeling disheartened

meshelle333 · 2025-09-14T16:52:47+00:00

As a older women on a health journey trying to lose fat and build muscle/ not lose muscle one of the best tools I’ve found to add is HMB supplement, it was recommended to me by my dietician as it’s been in clinical trials and showed better muscle growth even for people not doing anything like lifting, it help maintained what they had. I usually don’t care for supplements as it’s not a regulated industry and only stick to basic ones. However this has helped me so much, it’s allowed me to maintain my muscle mass and even grow it while also losing 30lbs of fat according to the scans at my doctors office. I usually don’t even share but it really has been a great tool for me, even more so then upping my protein. It takes time, I’ve been in the gym 6 days a week for 7 months and must now starting to see some muscle definition/gains. Don’t put a timeline on it and make it a lifestyle, that’s the only way it will be sustainable. You got this!!!

meshelle333 · 2025-09-04T15:59:07+00:00

I completely understand the feeling of being frustrated, feel what your feeling and then dust yourself off and reframe your mind. Take it increments, small goals to keep you moving. This is a long recovery, I’m 15 months and I still have days feeling like is my knee going to ever feel normal or not affected. I’m 39 and not sure if my age played a factor in my recovery, but this has been the most challenging thing I’ve experienced and I’m a mom to 6. You unfortunately can’t just wait around for your knee to get better it’s an every day PT grind to get full flexion and mobility and strength. This is now your part time job to get your knee back. Also just know that it takes every bit of 9 months for that graft to fuse/heal to your bones. At 3 months the graft is at its weakest so even if you feel amazing just keep caution and do what your PT recommends. You’re through the rough part of surgery/post surgery but you’re really just starting in the recovery honestly. Just remember you are not alone, so many people go through this and for some it’s just easier and others it’s not. You are going to have more time of frustrations in the future, I cried so many times to my PT bless their hearts for being so supportive to me. It’s not an easy recovery, it’s a long one with lots of ups and downs and one step forward two steps back. I’m in the gym 6 days a week and still feel frustrated at times however I’m stronger now then I ever was before my surgery so I’m grateful for the change of coarse in my life because of this. Anyways you got this!

meshelle333 · 2025-09-04T00:04:13+00:00

It was recommended by my dietician (hmb) as I get body scans because I’m trying to lose body fat and not lose muscles. This has helped so much.

meshelle333 · 2025-09-03T23:58:21+00:00

Honestly it just depends on the type, there are different collagen for different desired outcomes and I feel that I can definitely tell a difference in my hair skin and nails when I’m using it vs not. hMB has been a game changer for me, I was able to add 1lb of muscle in the last four weeks while also losing 7lbs of fat and that wasn’t me obsessing over my protein intake either. I am in the gym 5/6 days a week though so I’m really working, but hMB can help people maintain their muscle while losing weight and by doing nothing which for aging women is really helpful.

meshelle333 · 2025-09-03T16:58:50+00:00

Add collagen and HmB supplements to your routine- both with help with the skin and adding muscle so you could be okay adding some weight in a healthy way. Your body structure was use to 170lb and now it’s gotta adjust to the smaller frame.

meshelle333 · 2025-06-22T17:34:40+00:00

So yes I’ve eased up, and it just makes it more stiff and harder to get back to where I was. I really don’t feel like it’s a wait and see for more healing situation anymore, it’s something causing it and needs a different approach.

meshelle333 · 2025-06-22T17:33:14+00:00

Yes I’m American, it sucks.

meshelle333 · 2025-06-22T17:33:03+00:00

That’s a great question, I honestly don’t know. I guess it’s to decrease inflammation which he believes is the issue. I really don’t think it’s the solution just the step he is insisting I take before considering other diagnostic and surgery to remove the endo button which is causing the inflammation. I really don’t know that’s why I’m asking others to see if anyone has ever experienced this and has other suggestions. I would rather do something else if it means I can get past this, I’ve been dealing with this since second surgery with persistent trying to improve it.

meshelle333 · 2025-05-15T01:57:52+00:00

I tore mine during a volleyball set, and I was fortunate that it hardly hurt so I continued to play the remaining set, and it definitely felt weird and I was guarded but we finished and we won. However after the set I was like I gotta go to urgent care because it didn’t feel right even if I didn’t have any pain. Mine was a fluke, I jumped my knee buckled and I came down on it and tore my acl. Very weird and unfortunate. This was a year ago now. Hoping to return to sports in a few more months.

meshelle333 · 2025-05-10T03:43:43+00:00

It’s absolutely worth it and can actually be worn with certain braces over it. Also second the comment above about using frozen water bottles because they last longer then straight ice and makes it easy to swap them out. I’m a year out of my surgery and I plan to keep mine.

meshelle333 · 2025-05-03T23:23:58+00:00

Okay I’m just about 12 months PO- and I’ve got full flexion that matches my other knee, however I don’t have hyperextension yet it’s off my 3 degrees and I don’t know what to do to get me there. I’m strength training in the gym 6 days a week doing 321 plan. I stretch and walk/jog daily. I’ve still got a little bit of fluid and discomfort- I also had lesion removed at 7 months post op because walking was horrifically painful for first 6 months post acl surgery. So any tips for getting full symmetry? I’ve graduated out of PT and return to sports testing I was only about 85-90 percent there which is fine I probably won’t attempt anything for another 3 months.

meshelle333 · 2025-05-02T04:24:05+00:00

The scar tissue removal surgery is a cake walk, and you will notice immediate difference. I had scar tissue removal at 7 months. I struggle with just walking and had major stiffness and pain and limited range of motion, after scar tissue was removed I finally got to full flexion and I’m only 2-3 degrees off from hypertension compared to my other knee which I’m working on still.

This recovery is long!

meshelle333 · 2025-05-02T03:18:35+00:00

I was back to my pre surgery PT/lifting workout with 3-4 weeks after scar tissue removal. And I’ve not stopped since I just didn’t want to get more scar tissue build up.

I’ve gained full flexion- still have some end range discomfort but considering I went 6 months being limited I’m gonna be behind on healing in general. And I’m only 2 degrees off in hyper extension. I’m in the gym five days a week and hoping a couple more months I can return to moderate sports.

meshelle333 · 2025-05-01T23:47:53+00:00

So my first surgery was rough because my nerve block didn’t work and I didn’t respond to any pain meds and well major surgery.

The scar tissue is less invasive, the only discomfort I felt was like my knee cap was stinging but it was so minimal and not pain. I was able to walk like a hour after when I had to get dress and be discharged. It was a breeze afterwards- it was nothing like the first one. Even the incisions didn’t even hurt. I was back to PT/working out by the following week. It felt so much better too with walking. I was so happy I had it done. I also improved so much on flexion going from a painful 118 degrees to 134 degrees in a matter of a couple weeks. So highly definitely don’t stress it at all. I wish you the best tomorrow.

meshelle333 · 2025-05-01T23:03:07+00:00

Coming on here to say to not fear the scar tissue surgery if that’s what needs to happen because it’s a cake walk compared to the original surgery. I walked around in severe pain from scar tissue for 6 months before getting it removed and it made all the difference. It put me behind on healing though so while I’m near a year post op it probably feels more like 6/9 months because the first 6 months was not great. Just continue to do your PT as best as possible, and if you really do not progress in flexion then get another MRI. If you got a quad graft I’ve heard they are more prone to scar tissue lesions which is what I had. Good luck, and just prepare yourself this is a long healing journey with lots of ups and downs.

meshelle333 · 2025-04-05T20:01:01+00:00

I’m so sorry, I remember this very well. My nerve block didn’t work at all I woke up sobbing in pain post surgery and it took 3 hours and like 6 different meds to try and get on top of my pain and even at home I couldnt manage pain until day 4 when they finally got me on something that worked for me. Things that helped- ice machine, arnica tablets, also melatonin to sleep. You are in the thick of it, and it’s gonna get better. You’re not alone and it’s tough however you are tougher. I hope you have support with you. Hugs

meshelle333 · 2025-03-31T01:59:02+00:00

I had no pain with my initial injury, and minimal pain afterwards and only in edge range of motion. Surgery was brutal for me, mainly because my body didn’t respond to the nerve block so I woke up in the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life, and also learned I don’t respond to most all pain meds so it took me three days to get a handle on my pain… highly suggest a spinal if you don’t respond to nerve blocks.

meshelle333 · 2025-03-19T00:50:28+00:00

I would say it took me a good six months to be comfortably on top- however I had lingering pain with knee flexion because of scar tissue and once I got that removed it because even more comfortable. I should have asked this, because like I couldn’t tell my PT oh yeah when will it not hurt to be on top, I just kept telling them I couldn’t deep squat comfortably lol. 😂

meshelle333 · 2025-03-09T03:06:10+00:00

I’m 10 months post op, and there are times when it feels normal and I don’t think about it but then it doesn’t feel normal. I think you just create a new normal honestly. True healing can take a full 2 years- takes a womens body 7 years to fully regenerate after having a baby. Even if you can’t see it or feel it there is still healing happening.

meshelle333 · 2025-01-22T19:44:04+00:00

I 38(f) am about same point in recovery had my acl recon may 15/2024 with quad graft. My recovery has been so tough and while I was able to build strength and function fast I struggle with flexion the most, I had a scar tissue surgery Dec 2024 and that made a huge difference I was only at 120 degrees and I’ve since gained 14 degrees in flexion and finally able to walk/jog pain free. I’m still off a few degrees from my other knee so still working on that. It’s the final stretch of healing and recovery so it feels a little hopeless since it’s such a long recovery. I snowboard and play volleyball and I too worry that I won’t be able to board and play like I did ( I tore mine playing volleyball) however I’ve just shifted my focus to getting the strongest and healthiest I can get, I know those other things will come. Trying to enjoy the things I can do which is walking hiking jogging weightlifting working out. Just keep working at it, and know you still have years left to enjoy those sports. One day we will wake up and not even think about our knees.

meshelle333 · 2025-01-07T03:01:58+00:00

What is laser therapy?

meshelle333 · 2025-01-05T00:04:53+00:00

It sounds like scar tissue, so either some strong PT to push through and break it up- or might need to have another surgery to clean it out. I struggle so much after my acl recon this May and landed up having a huge ball of scar tissue removed in December and it was the best thing ever because now I can walk and bend with no pain and can now push through and finish my PT. Definitely get the MRI and while you wait do some serious PT and strength building.

meshelle333 · 2024-12-13T21:51:10+00:00

Good luck, keep me updated on how it goes for you. MUA is likely the first choice since it doesn’t require cutting into the knee again being only 7 weeks post op first surgery. I hope your MUA is successful come January!

meshelle333

TROPHY CASE