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surgery recovery timeline?

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User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 09:47

My husband is due to have robotic prostate removal in the very near future. Although I know a lot is down to the individual and lifestyle etc, I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences please?

We are wondering how soon afterwards he is likely to be able to drive? And also when he is likely to return to work? Bit of background...he is 60 and is a JCB driver/works on building sites, so quite a physical job. I know everyone has different recovery journeys and that the surgeon will explain do's and don'ts, but he is self employed so we are trying to make some sort of plans. Thank you!

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 12:48

Willowtree, I was back behind my desk as a contracts manager after 5 weeks and driving all over the UK visiting commercial refurbishment sites after 7 weeks. It is easy to do too much too soon, forgetting you have had major surgery. 

Incontinence will be a major factor,he may need a urine bottle and towel, building site toilets are not the most hygienic of places. From what I see of TV programs you get shaken about quite a bit in a JCB.  I did find I needed a quick nap when doing a long round trip.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 13:53

Hi Willowtree.

Nice to meet you and welcome to the forum.

Here's an older thread that may help you  regarding your driving query.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30404-driving-and-car-insurance

As well as road traffic act legislation and insurances issues. Driving/operating a JCB off road, on a building site, may also involve health and safety legislation. I'm sure that your husband will know when he is safe to drive in both cases. 

 

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 14:34

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks for sharing. 7 weeks seems a long time to not drive. Is that because of the length of the journeys you were travelling? 

Hi , sorry I didn't explain that very well. My first day back at work was five weeks after surgery. My desk was 20 miles from home so I was doing a forty mile round trip after five weeks, I then got back to my normal activities after 7 weeks.Yes restricting the amount of driving and length of days did come into the decision.

It was Lynn on this site who educated me to the need to speak to my insurance company before driving after surgery. I had checked the DVLA website about driving and surgery and felt I complied with their requirements,I didn't think about the contract we have with our insurance companies. As Adrian points out operating a JCB may have other requirements.

Thanks Chris 

 

User
Posted 30 May 2025 at 09:44

Everyone is different and their experiences vary. I started to drive 6 weeks post op but could only manage 30 minutes as I got tired plus my wounds were still healing. I returned back to work after 7 weeks (desk job) and it was probably around 4 months post op before I started getting my energy levels back to some level of normality. One thing to be careful of is to avoid heavy lifting for a good few months due to possible hernias. Although the outside may look healed it is major surgery and the insides take much longer to recover. Good luck

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User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 12:48

Willowtree, I was back behind my desk as a contracts manager after 5 weeks and driving all over the UK visiting commercial refurbishment sites after 7 weeks. It is easy to do too much too soon, forgetting you have had major surgery. 

Incontinence will be a major factor,he may need a urine bottle and towel, building site toilets are not the most hygienic of places. From what I see of TV programs you get shaken about quite a bit in a JCB.  I did find I needed a quick nap when doing a long round trip.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 13:53

Hi Willowtree.

Nice to meet you and welcome to the forum.

Here's an older thread that may help you  regarding your driving query.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30404-driving-and-car-insurance

As well as road traffic act legislation and insurances issues. Driving/operating a JCB off road, on a building site, may also involve health and safety legislation. I'm sure that your husband will know when he is safe to drive in both cases. 

 

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 13:58

Thanks for sharing. 7 weeks seems a long time to not drive. Is that because of the length of the journeys you were travelling? 

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 14:01

Thank you! I'll check out that link. I'm sure he will know when he's ready but I thought it might be good to try and get a rough idea from people who have experienced it. It's the unknown I guess, especially being self employed. Thanks again.

User
Posted 29 May 2025 at 14:34

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks for sharing. 7 weeks seems a long time to not drive. Is that because of the length of the journeys you were travelling? 

Hi , sorry I didn't explain that very well. My first day back at work was five weeks after surgery. My desk was 20 miles from home so I was doing a forty mile round trip after five weeks, I then got back to my normal activities after 7 weeks.Yes restricting the amount of driving and length of days did come into the decision.

It was Lynn on this site who educated me to the need to speak to my insurance company before driving after surgery. I had checked the DVLA website about driving and surgery and felt I complied with their requirements,I didn't think about the contract we have with our insurance companies. As Adrian points out operating a JCB may have other requirements.

Thanks Chris 

 

User
Posted 30 May 2025 at 09:44

Everyone is different and their experiences vary. I started to drive 6 weeks post op but could only manage 30 minutes as I got tired plus my wounds were still healing. I returned back to work after 7 weeks (desk job) and it was probably around 4 months post op before I started getting my energy levels back to some level of normality. One thing to be careful of is to avoid heavy lifting for a good few months due to possible hernias. Although the outside may look healed it is major surgery and the insides take much longer to recover. Good luck

 
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