I had surgery to replaced a crushed disc 4+ years ago only because the doc said I was at risk for a floppy foot or loss of bladder control. The pain sucked but was not my major motivation. Long story short, foot and bladder are no longer in danger but still have same pain I had pre-surgery...maybe even more. Got tired of being fat and had put on 45lbs since the surgery and didn't pick up a weight until two months ago after putting them down 6 months prior to surgery. I WAS 215lbs and 12% BF, in the best shape of my life at 35. Fighting back now. Down 20lbs total weight in a couple of months and lifts slowly coming back.
When I started back I could barely bench reps of 155lbs and am now up to reps of 245lbs. Pre-surgery I was benching reps of 355. One year pre-surgery I was squatting 545 for my last set but hadn't done deads since my college days. Anyway, I am trying to fight back at 40 but it's obviously a little more difficult now. All pics are intentionally relaxed to get full effect of tummy chub, etc.