I'm definitely NOT a powerlifter, I'm a bench guy. A little supporting info... I had a major injury to my right knee when I was 15 that left me with a nasty limp and limited normal movement in that joint. 35 years later and a couple surgeries later its a functional knee but not a very stable one. During those last 35 years of modifying movements to accommodate the knee has left me with hip issues, so leg work is out, unless I want to suffer for months after. I do air squats with a 45 pound plate to keep some muscle, but nothing even remotely close to the upper body. I'm the poster child for "skipped leg day", but my ability to walk and live without pain is more important to me than a squat or DL number. If anyone is interested last PRs on them were 350\390, I was in pain for 3 months after. I could hire a PT or DR to help with it but I'm 54 years old, I'm ok with where I am. But yes leg drive is a major component to a heavy bench for me so some leg strength is needed. As for Incline, that would be the death of me using any more weight than the bar, but I do a lot of accessory work that wasn't listed, I was just covering the heavy stuff, there's a lot that's done with bands, DBs and cables that I didn't type out.
As for the thyroid... 1/2 of it was removed, and levels are a tad low but nothing to worrisome. I'm scheduled for tests every 6 months. My issues was with clearing the anesthesia. I felt like I was still in recovery 9 days post, it drained everything out of me. I wasn't eating, or able to lift, I was walking like I was drunk. It really took about 3 weeks before I felt 90%. I'm still not sure if I'm 100%, and that alone is scary, but for another thread.
Backing up... I take what the pros say with the grain of salt. Many of them forgot what they were doing when they were at my level, and the steps they took to get where they are now. While the fundamentals are basically the same, there's a huge difference between a 500 pounder benchers workout and a 300 pound benchers workout, add in a sprinkle of pharmaceutical assistance and it's a whole nother world. I'm not saying that one can't benefit from their knowledge, but modifications need to me made for a lifter that's not as skilled.