I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

Exercise post prostatectomy

User
Posted 01 Dec 2021 at 20:33

I had laparoscopic robot assisted radical prostatectomy three months ago.  I’ve made a good post op recovery and I’m back to normal levels of activity.  I’ve always done a lot of exercise and am now back into long walks and running, but haven’t yet returned to cycling.  Can anyone advise me on whether I should leave it longer?  Is it likely to slow or prevent any chance of function returning to the erectile nerves? I understand that even in the best situation it can take many months.

User
Posted 01 Dec 2021 at 21:56

This conversation seems relevant.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t24512-Cycling-after-RARP---surgeon-said-wait-6-weeks

Some people say six weeks others six months. So I would say after three months probably start giving it a go. I would say any light exercise will be fine, but don't start lifting heavy weights don't play golf competitively. If you set yourself back you may have a long life to regret it. So everything in moderation.

Dave

User
Posted 02 Dec 2021 at 00:34
John's surgeon made it clear that J was not to get back on his beloved bike until after the 6 month mark. Others here have been told 6 weeks, as Dave says. If you want to start cycling again, invest in a prostate friendly saddle, available from most good cycling stores
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 02 Dec 2021 at 09:04

I don't think anybody really knows how long you need to wait before cycling. Everybody is different; their operations are different, their surgeons are different, their exercise history is different. If your surgeon has offered an answer, I would follow their advice.

Otherwise, I would just ease into it gently if you are keen. I started (a lot sooner than anybody on here) by cycling standing up (assuming you have a bike where you can do that easily). Then, I gradually increased the amount of time that I was sitting on the saddle until it felt comfortable again. After that, I just carried on as normal.

Some people will wait six months or longer to give their erectile nerves the best chance of recovery. For me, the health and mental health benefits of cycling as part of my recovery were more important, but you have to make your own decision on that. Two and a half years after my operation, I get erections with and without Viagra, but not as hard or frequent as before. Maybe they would have been harder/more frequent if I have waited six months before cycling. Nobody will ever know, but I am happy with my approach.

User
Posted 02 Dec 2021 at 22:45
Many thanks for your reply, very helpful for planning my own return to cycling.
User
Posted 02 Dec 2021 at 22:46
Many thanks for your reply, very helpful for planning my own return to cycling.
 
Forum Jump  
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK