Physical Fitness training following RRP

Folks:

I was just hoping to get some input on this question.

I just had an open RPP on 9/20 and am looking forward to Catheter removal this coming Tuesday. 

I know longer term symptoms are a concern for all of us.  Has anyone gotten any good advice about how to put together a fitness plan post surgery to maximize your opportunity to minimize side effects.

I know kegal exercises are huge, but I am also interested in a broader fitness plan.  I have gone to the gym all my life but am unsure of how to change my routine and what types of exercises to focus on.

Any advice/input would be great.

Retire

I did really good post surgery and had minimal SE's except for ED (and butt pain). I did a lot of walking and worked that up to getting back to weights, heavy bag, etc. My fitness was good...for a while. I was in very good physical shape going into my RP...lot's of cardio and weights before surgery.

Now, in relative terms, I am a terrible shlump and need to get my butt in gear...and get back into shape. My fitness is horrible compared to what it was a year ago.

I don't have the answer to your question, but, for me...if I could could get back to my fitness level pre-surgery, I'd be much happier. For some, fitness=happier...I'm one of those...

Mike

The kegel exercises are very big and  you can get Bio-feedback and an anal electric stimulator which you can use for training.

Dependent on your leakage, a pad usually suffices for lifting and other excercise.   Just take it slow with walking and doing kegels while walking.

Unforturnately with my case, I have had scar tissue several times which has caused large problems with leakage.   I am on catheter right now and will remove this tuesday.

With the new surgery techniques (my 9 yrs ago) and dependent on your physiology you should be fine.  Just remember you aren't 21 and it does take a little time to heal.

Retire: Good question, and one we're asking ourselves right now 13 wks. post surg this Tuesday. My husband's abdomen is hugely in need of some strengthening. I figured I'd see the usual comments about each person being a law unto himself (except for the generally accepted walking advice) but Fairwind's comment about a specialized physical therapist is intriguing. We'll be calling our surgeon tomorrow to ask him about this.

My uro/surgeon urged walking as much as possible, with a 5 pound weight lift limit for two months, then 10 pounds for one month following that.

At 5 months out, I was cleared for exercise in general, I.e. other than walking.

To be clear, I was forbidden any torso exertion beyond walking until 5 months out from DaVinci surgery.

Dear, 1965
I’ll be one year out November 3rd. While I was active with running/jogging prior to surgery I became very involved in my own rehab post operatively. I’m no different than the next guy… I would get in good shape, and then I’d get soft. My prostate cancer diagnosis cycled with me being relatively on top with physical conditioning. Along with the absolute great skills of my surgeon I attribute my conditioning and continued efforts at exercise, to my fortunate recovery. So at 9 months out with a ton of sweat equity this is what one post operative prostate cancer patient did for fun. My blog (walkbobwithjack.blogspot.com) doesn’t particularly talk about my prostate cancer but it does tell the story about what I was able to do at 9 months after surgery…I’ll still be working out tomorrow.
Hero

This may sound nutty, but I discovered yoga about two years ago (two years post surgery). I have done many kinds of training, and still do some running, but I have to say yoga blows all other forms of exercise I have done out of the water, and then some. My muscle strength is going up, but at the same time unnecessary muscle tension is going down. During the class, they talk a lot about how the exercises make room for the internal organs to work better (today, for example, the focus of the training was on the pelvic area). It also somehow puts the mind at ease, at least for a while.