bike riding

 had robotic prostatectomy in march 2010 and suffered from bad rectal pain until 2 weeks ago. i missed riding my scooter and my bike and it seemed i would never recover from thepain. i used a donut until 3 weeks ago. i am thrilled to report that the pain has disappeared and i'm riding my bicycle again. advice? be patient but don't mollycoddle yourself either. push yourself, but gently.

  Mick9 What a timely post.  I was running 24 miles a week pre-operatively.  I had a very quiesecent recovery after my robotic surgery; however I was unable to get back into the running/jogging because of reoccuring b/lat hip pain and acute inflammation of my left foot which had a crushing injury 15 years ago.  This was and is a major bummer.  I had failure of several standard medical therapies and the physician and PT are pointing a finger at my significant weight gain post operatively which may be the correct diagnosis as I was at one point up 57 lbs, currently I up 25 lbs. So at the suggestion of a person outside of the medical field I got me a bike.  I have never done any biking in the past.  I was able to finish 30 miles yesterday (i understand this is nothing for the real biker) and I started riding to and from work which is almost exactly 10 miles round trip. (darn hilly round trip) The amazing thing is that aside from a slightly sore bottom (not the former prostate area) I'm having no physicial problems.  I have realized that biking does have real challanges that I did not appreciate in the past.  So, from my perspective at 6 months out I am having no complications related to prostate surgery from biking...I would appreciate any suggestions on bike reading material as I need to do some self education. Hero

Hi
As someone who lives in Holland with all its bicycles I can report that IO was back in the saddle about 6 weeks after da Vinci, after checking with uros that it would be okay.
Bumpy cobbles are the real problem (and always were!) A good saddle is a must, and you may not be able to sit on a narrow racing saddle. I find I have to adjust where I am sitting regualrly.

I cycle just about every day, but too tired at present to do it due to RT,

Alfred

Sharp18 said...

Mick,

I am planning to resume my stationary bike exercise (3 months after robotic prostatectomy). 

You mentioned that you used "donut" seat.   You are not the first person who mentioned using donut seat, but I do not know how to get it (even how it looks like).  Could you please let me know where I can purchase it from, and what the exact name of it?

Thank you,

Sharp

A donut seat is what is also known as a "prostate cut-out" seat. Coincidence? I think not

There is a cutout section to relieve the pressure to your prostate. 

Jacketch,

Thank you for the information.

It would be helpful if anyone knows where a "donut" or "prostate cut-out" seat can be purchased.

Sharp

My first bicycle ride was 8 weeks post-op. It was quite tender and I squirmed in the saddle a bit -- also tilted the nose down a little to relieve the pressure. That evening after the first ride there was a very small spot of blood in my underwear from the urethra. I called the doc and she said not to worry. They second ride a week later had no pain (other than the usual from not having been on the bike in awhile) and no spots. Now it is just a matter of gradually getting back into shape.

Donut pillows can be found at pharmacies or more likely at home health equipment stores. Good to know so many of us at this age are still quite active. Enjoy that biking Mick and Hero. JB if you get that sheep skin cover for your Hog please post a pic for us.
Michael