Push bike after operation advice

I'm 10 months post op,  kept off my bike for 6 months after being advised by consultant. Before starting back on the bike I had a saddle fit but still not 100% comfortable so still experimenting with saddles and position 

I was advised by my surgeon 6 weeks if using a saddle with a perineal cutout.

It was one of my questions at the initial consultation and seems to be the standard in Oxford as it was also printed in the literature I was given on discharge. (I don't have ED).

Edited by member 10 Aug 2023 at 09:00  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Jules,

Sorry to hear that…do you do a lot of cycling? I’ve never encountered any discomfort since RT…I. Normally cycle twice a week on my ebike maybe doing 30-50  miles each time. Have you got a prostate friendly saddle?

Im more troubled by the effects of HT than RT but Going out on my ebike is one thing I am so glad I am still able to do….it really  gives me a buzz😊

Derek

I switched to a saddle with nothing under the perineum. Actually, nothing under anywhere except your sit bones, so you can't sit on the wrong bits. It took a few rides to get used to it and get it adjusted just right, but been using them for 4 years now. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0957HZ1JG/

The debate about ED and cycling goes on forever. Some research found a very strong correlation in those who cycle frequently, particularly more than 3h per week. You probably want to guard against sitting on the nerves or blood supply and sending vibration into those tissues. Other research finds no correlation.

Before prostatectomy (robotic keyhole) I loved cycling, I'd do 40-50 miles on MTB  (round south Herts bridleways so not that extreme)  and some days cycle from Watford to work in London for fun.   After the op I had a lot of general discomfort  (sore balls, pain in penis and perineum) for some time so didn't even think of bike until 7 or 8 months after (op was autumn 2019).  I just kept walking 3-5 miles a day. When I tried bike again it was OK but would be sometimes a bit sore riding and uncomfortable after. I had to stop (another story had to pick up a motorbike that fell off stand and nothing felt right for weeks after. Then it was wet and winter, I couldn't face starting ). Tried again 2021 gave up as not comfortable. In 2022 I started again surgeon said try and push through it, which I did and it worked, and I kept going through winter even.  I'd feel some discomfort after riding but it got less and less.  Now I'm up to 50km around roads of South Devon (a lot more up and down than  Watford St Albans area) and it feels fine, and generally discomfort has gone . I'm not going as far as I used to but  I was 59 when I had the surgery and at that age it takes time to regain fitness after a long lay off.

It took lots of experiments with seats and riding position and patience , building up and accepting some discomfort  at first

Originally had Fizik saddle that was a no-no. Tried an ISM seat which was good to start. Now I use a Specialized Power expert which is more conventional but with a big cut out and is comfy

I treated myself to new Scott Scale (hard tail) carbon MTB in 2022. That brought back the discomfort after riding,  changing to shorter stem and bars with a bit more rise helped but mostly just getting used to new  riding position. After several weeks it was fine. 2023 I tried road bike (Trek Domane which is endurance geometry and pretty compliant). Sure enough was a bit uncomfortable afterwards but soon settled, now I find that much  the better option, despite the skinny tyres. The weight difference is a revelation!

I suppose the story is be guided by your body but don't give up, take your time