Shoulder Dislocation Woes... Muscle Maintenance Suggestions?

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Shoulder Dislocation Woes... Muscle Maintenance Suggestions? - *Post-Surgery UPDATE

In Jan of this year I got into a snowboarding accident and dislocated my shoulder for the first time. A month later, I was back into a routine at the gym. Little by little I got more strength back, and my muscle mass all around was increasing from a bulking phase i was going through. Well 3 weeks ago it dislocated again boating for the 2nd time. It was put back into place fine but i knew that since it had happened two times, that surgery was probably the next option. In the past 2 weeks it's dislocated 3 more times (one of them today) from bad judgment on my part and carelessness... I'm getting surgery on the 24th for a bankart lesion repair, all arthroscopic. I've had surgery on my other shoulder, but it was a labrum repair and only two anchors were placed compared to the four doc is thinking i'll need for this one.

My question is this... Has anyone had this surgery, and if so how long was your recovery? Also, what can I do to maintain the muscle mass I've gained in the past year? Doc says I'll be in a sling for a month, but that a few days to week after I should be able to ride the cardio bikes and do lower body workouts until I can lift light weights again. After a month i should be able to lift "light light" weights he said also. Would taking this as my cutting/toning phase be the best to do for a couple of months?

It's a lot to read, so here is a summary.
---Cliff's---
-Dislocated shoulder in Jan. 06 snowboarding.
-Shoulder has dislocated 5 times in total (today being the 5th).
-Scheduled surgery (Bankart lesion repair) for the 24th of August.
-Has anyone had this repair, if so how long was ur recovery?
-Don't want to lose muscle mass.
-What can I do to maintain my muscle?
-Just got done bulking, would cutting be the best to do during recovery?
 
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You have two options really. I would not recommend working on it at ALL!
1. lower cals, incorporate cardio and cut.
2. Maintain caloric intake, play with ratios a bit and try to avoid muscle loss. Lifting on an injured shoulder would just set you back even further. Rest it up and make good with the food. I hurt my back once and was out of the gym for 3 months. I kept my diet in check and only lost a few pounds of LBM. Dont get discouraged. Heal up and come back with force! :)
 
Think of it this way, if you don't do what they say, you'll end up with a jacked up shoulder and will lose all that you've worked for - permanently.

So even if you do lose a little of what you just worked your ass off to get (which sucks I know), you can get it back after recovery.

I've had clients with messed up shoulders from previous years of doing crap they shouldn't, and it really really effects their workout.
 
Update - On August 24th I went in for surgery after 5+ repeated dislocations. Post surgery the Dr. told me I had a 180 degree bankart lesion which needed 3 anchors to close up, of which were drilled into my bone for lifelong support I guess.

I was left isolated in a sling for 2 weeks without any movement and limited movement 3 weeks after while still in the sling. I didn't want to get out of the habit of going to the gym, so I went while in the sling and did cardio on the bike. A couple of weeks after surgery and while getting the anesthetic out of my system, I started working on the sled and other leg workouts while still in the sling.

Today marks 2 months since the surgery and I feel great. After going to Physical Therapy 2-3 times a week for the past 6 weeks, I've gone from barely being able to move my arm 10 degrees to being 10 degrees away from the normal full range of motion. The therapist told me yesterday I have, "No restrictions" and will be discharged in the next week or two. PT was hell... The Dr. told me after surgery that he had tightened things up more than he would normally on anyone because of my "affinity for high-risk activities". I guess he'd know since he operated on my other shoulder 5 years ago from snowboarding. It didn't take me long to realize what he meant by "tightened".

This may seem like a long rant, but I want anyone who has or is planning to go through any kind of surgery that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Though I may not be there just yet, I am going to work to get to where I was pre-surgery slowly as my shoulder gets used to the weights again.
 
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