Those 1+ years out: how is strength training going?

I am curious if anyone has the same struggles as I do, or if you’re able to build muscle without having issues?

Before surgery (July 2022) I was able to use 12lb dumbbells for the larger muscle exercises (squats, lunges, bicep curls, etc). I would do both upper body and lower body twice a week, for 4 days or strength training.

After surgery, I have been trying to rebuild my muscles so I can do what I used to do. I can currently do 8lb dumbbells for those same muscles, but it takes me ALL WEEK to heal. So I can only do upper and lower body once per week. And forget about 30-45 mins. I can only do a 20 min session without causing my muscles to reject me.

On top of this, once in a while I will throw out my back and can’t work out for 3-4 weeks. In that time, I lose almost all of my progress and have to start with even lower 5lb weights. It’s getting so frustrating!

Does anyone else have these struggles? Any advice? I get my recommended 60 g of protein per day, and more on the days I strength train.