rich's Photos

Martin Smith  Rich, wow! You've kept at your passion and that must be so satisfying! You're obviously performing your sport at a very ambitious  level. Have you always had the support of your doctors as you resumed the heavy lifting involved in bodybuilding? I ask this because my cardiologist discouraged me from several activities post operation two of which are: 1) lifting of heavy weights/low reps and 2)  sleeping and skiing at high altitude ( i.e. Colorado). I'd really appreciate if you could share some details of the guidance you received upon resuming your sport. And thanks for sharing your success here on this site, Rich.

Timothy Williams  Would love to hear more about your recovery process and return to physical activity.  Did you simply attempt progression and follow what your body told you?

Susan Lynn  Rich - Congrats on your continuing participation in competitive body building!   You look like the poster from  my college anatomy class!   Clearly,  you remain dedicated to your sport!  Glad to see your repaired heart is keeping up with your activity!   All the best to you!  ❤💪

Deena Elani  Wow-wee. Have no idea how you get this strong, but amazing.  I don't see  a glimpse of your OHS scar either!  

rich monoson  Dear Martin, Timothy, Susan and Deena, thank you so very much. Being a dinosaur I have not figured out how to respond individually on the time line (like comment or reply button) so I'll go to the message section. Thank you all. 

rich monoson  Hi Martin, I had a plan before surgery and I told the doctor to fix that valve, stuff the heart back in my chest and I'll handle it from there. I walked constantly in the hospital and resumed as soon as I got home. I was at my gym 9 days later to start leg work, elliptical and light upper body but nothing that would pull on my sternum. I never asked my doctor for any rehab direction. I promised my cardiologist to go to cardiac rehab and I went 1 day. It was too tough walking that slow on a treadmill. I gradually started lifting heavier when I was confident the sternum had fused. Martin, i was very driven and after the doctor did his job it was time for me to do mine. I imagine your doctor is concerned with blood pressure from straining under a heavy load. Proper breathing and exercise technique should great reduce that. At 62 and multiple orthopedic surgeries I focused on moderate weight performed at a slower  cadence which stimulates great time under tension. I started incorporating isometrics and time static contractions. I can go on and on but if I can offer any experience or advice Martin I'd be glad to do so. 

rich monoson  Timothy, I was back at the gym 9 days after surgery. I had a plan to be very aggressive, pro active after surgery. My thought process was a dynamic body heals better than a sedentary one. We are meant to move. I outlined a bit of the rehab in response above to Martin but you are 100% correct in progressing as your body allows. I pushed the body but in a defensive manner at first. Didn't want to have a non union of sternum (my biggest concern). One after affect of surgery was AFib which was very uncomfortable for about 4 weeks. I hated that Amiodarone. I loved being back in a gym environment and attitude and the psychological component are so important to healing.  Honestly, the heart surgery was a much easier rehab than the two complete rotator cuff tears i had a few years prior to OHS. Exercise was performed with absolute focus, concentration and high effort. Slower cadence to repetitions. Learning how to maximally activate muscles and being very mindful of what I was doing I learned is a much better way to train. Also I discovered Isometrics and they are incredible. All these years of training and i stumbled upon them and they are gold. Any way I can help I'd be glad to do so!!

rich monoson  Susan, thank you as always for your wonderful and warm comments. The mitral valve now is on my mind but when the time comes I'll blast out the surgery and get back to business. Its so important to do what you love and I really dont feel like a heart patient (aside from the daily medications and greater than moderate mitral regurgitation!) and returning to natural masters bodybuilding and mens physique has been such a positive and joyful experience. Truly so grateful to Cedars Sinai, the heart crew and this community for the incredible comradery. Plus Adam aint too bad either! Warmest thank you

rich monoson  Deena, I was surprised how well the scar healed. Upon close inspection the wires are like a line of bumps that look like little bubbles down the sternum. Thank you kindly for your comment and it's nice meeting you. 

Ginny Turner  Congrats on being in such great shape and still being able to compete. My 55-yr-old Pilates instructor just returned from a show in Pittsburgh. You guys inspire us old folks!

Deena Elani  Wow. You're in incredible shape, Rich. So little body fat. Is your resting HR and BP also very low?

rich monoson  Thank you Ginny and Deena so much. My BP is 110/65 and resting heart rate was 56 last checkup. I still have moderate mitral valve regurgitation that the doctors are keeping an eye on. I'm so hopeful that surgery is not necessary but I suspect I'll be back for round two. Thank you both for your very kind words.

Bob McRae  Congrats Rich ! You look beyond fabulous and are an inspiration to all of us heart warriors to never give up and always strive for our highest physical goals even if they at first seem unattainable !!! Again, Great Job Rich !

rich monoson  Bob, thank you so much for those kind words. We received the gift of improved quality of life after the surgery and then it's up to us what to do with it. Blessed to be part of such a wonderful community. How are you doing with everything? Your kindness is appreciated and I'd be glad to help with anything I can do. Thank you Bob

Deena Elani  What zipper scar? What fat? Yes, muscle. Congrats, Rich. You definitely have focus and discipline.

Adam Pick  Insane Rich! Congratulations! I don't think anybody in the audience would have a clue that you had heart surgery.

Susan Lynn  Rich - Wow! That takes discipline! Congrats on your results and win! Good to see you're doing well and continuing to compete!

rich monoson  What an incredible community you are and I feel blessed to be a part of. Just so grateful to modern medicine miracle of preserving and enhancing life with the surgery. The aortic valve works great. Now the mitral valve is up next but hoping not too soon as regurgitation is moderate. Thank you wonderful people for your kind words and support. If there is ever anything I can do I'd be honored to do so.

Deena Elani  Wish you well on your echo! Mine is the same day. Five months. First one since the hospital. There is no (good) reason for our echos to be anything but excellent.

rich monoson  Thank all you guys for the wonderful comments. Richard, I'm not sure about over 79 but I'm soon to find out. I know there is a 70-79 year old class. Deena, pork chops are fine. It's the carbohydrates that are very restricted. Low glycemic foods work great. It's really fun being with like minded physical culture people and mostly everybody in my class had or has some health challenge they overcame. Hello again Susan and thank you as always for your precious comments!

Deena Elani  Thanks Rich for the diet guidance The very few bodybuilders I have met at the gym always talked about boiled chicken and white tuna. :) Guess Richard has a better chance at the over 79 now!!!

Richard Munson  That sounds so delicious. Boiled chicken and white tuna every night. Will i be able to swim upstream after awhile?

Ana Brusso  Who cares if you didn’t win, look at you! Wow great picture and post. Congratulations and may God bless you and keep you well. 🎉🙏🥳

rich monoson  Thank you Alex. You will. Just set that mindset and it's done. I appreciate your kind words and please let me know if I can help you in any way.

Susan Lynn  Wow! Two years! Happy Anniversary, Rich! Time certainly did fly! Glad you're doing well! Continued good health!

Adam Pick  Happy 2nd Anniversary Rich! Great to hear Dr. Esmailian and the Cedars team helped you out. Dang. I can barely see your scar. Amazing healing. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Fardad-Esmailian-Los+Angeles-California.php

rich monoson  Thank you Adam. It really is barely visible but I'm so pleased with the end result. I did a men's physique competition in Phoenix July 24 and the scar was not really noticeable. Dr E did a great job inside and out

Susan Lynn  It's hard to believe it's been a year! Congratulations on your first anniversary, Rich! It looks like you're doing well and your scar is barely visible! Wishing you many, many decades of future celebrations! ❤

Adam Pick  Hey Rich! So happy you are in celebration mode on your 1-year anniversary! Congratulations! Thanks for being such a great member of our community. I can barely see your scar. Amazing how well you have healed. All the best, Adam

Rob Sparling  Rich, that is the most badass scar I have ever seen juxtaposed with the least scarring possible. Congrats, Unicorn! ❤️💪

rich monoson  Thank all you guys so much for your never ending warmth and kindness. I'm so glad to have met you guys here Marie, Susan, Rob and the man who put this all together......Adam.