HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

SCUBA Diving After Prostatectomy

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/8/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Are there any SCUBA divers out there?

I am an avid diver (Master Diver, Stress and Rescue, Deep Diver, etc.), and I'm curious how long after surgery one would be able to dive again.

_________________________________

Age at Diagnosis: 60
Biopsy: 2 of 12, both on LT side, G3+3
Clinical Stage T1C
Have my post-op appointment and have catheter removed on 6/10/2015.

Post Edited (Skyguy8068) : 6/8/2015 1:15:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/8/2015 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a PADI instructor and would highly recommend only commence diving again after your Doctor ok's it. Remember you're subjecting your body to abnormal pressure.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/8/2015 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
SkyGuy,
We had an amusing discussion about this about 6 weeks after my surgery few years ago. At the time I was profoundly incontinent and wondered if it was safe to go in the water.

Look here: Incontinence - Physics question Read down a little. Some divers answered.

The discussion might help. And if not, at least it will brighten your day a bit.

Jeff (Who still has not been in Lake Ontario.)
Posted 6/8/2015 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Worried Guy!  That was hilarious!! :-)

I have posted an inquiry with Divers alert Network.  I'll go with what they say before I follow the advice of a non-diver doctor.

___________________________

Age at Diagnosis: 60
Biopsy: 2 of 12, both on LT side, G3+3
Clinical Stage T1C
Have my post-op appointment and have catheter removed on 6/10/2015.

Posted 6/8/2015 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
You are going to have the catheter remove....6/10/15 that is tmr.
I m not a diver, but I strongly recommend proper rest for the healing period as what your urologist or surgeon would have advice you. Never stress your body during this period...
All the best to your recovery.
Posted 6/8/2015 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
That's sound advice YK!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/8/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
True quote from my PADI instructor some years ago. "Two types of divers we have. Those who pee in their wet suits and those who lie about it".

Ah, to pee freely!

I imagine this crowd could crow about this topic.
Posted 6/9/2015 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Peeing in the wetsuit is a most excellent way to warm it up. 😎
__________________
Age at Diagnosis: 60
Biopsy: 2 of 12, both on LT side, G3+3
Clinical Stage T1C
Have my post-op appointment and have catheter removed on 6/10/2015.
Posted 6/9/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, here is what the medical experts in the science of diving within the Diver's alert Network (DAN) have to say on the subject.
-----------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Hardwick,

Thank you for your e-mail and membership support. We wish you all the best for the future and successful recovery. There is no specific time frame to wait before returning to diving. Once the catheter is removed and there are no complications and you can urinate without difficulty diving is possible. If we can be any further assistance do not hesitate to contact DAN.

Divers alert Network

Marty McCafferty, EMT-P DMT-A
DAN, Medical Information Specialist
(800) 446-2671 ext. 286
(919) 684-2948 ext. 286
(919) 493-3040 Fax
E-mail: [email protected]
-----------------------------------------

Hopefully, this will be good information for all of the other SCUBA divers out there.

Thank you for all of your responses! They definitely served to brighten my day!

__________________
Age at Diagnosis: 60
Biopsy: 2 of 12, both on LT side, G3+3
Clinical Stage T1C
Have my post-op appointment and have catheter removed on 6/10/2015.
Posted 6/9/2015 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Watch out Lake Ontario! Summer's coming! smilewinkgrin

Jeff
Posted 6/9/2015 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
You guys are too funny. I had my RPP on 3/42015 and am still leaking. Yuk. I will be In Bermuda in late July and want to do some scuba diving. I'm Padi certified and have nerver dived in Bermuda. I'm hoping to find some quality shore dives around 20-40 feet. I'm 68 and very strong and healthy. If anyone has any recommendations or thoughts. Please let me know. Oh first PSA <.1, undetectable.
John
Posted 6/9/2015 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
As a PADI instructor I would not have a dive buddy who is not 100% fit. There's more to it than just the physiological effects to consider!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/9/2015 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Doug. Maybe I'll just go snorkling.
John
Posted 6/9/2015 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, Doug, I'll bite. How long did you wait after your surgery to go diving again?

__________________
Age at Diagnosis: 60
Biopsy: 2 of 12, both on LT side, G3+3
Clinical Stage T1C
Have my post-op appointment and have catheter removed on 6/10/2015.
Posted 6/9/2015 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
It's not a matter of biting it's a matter of common sense. You start putting your gear on, lifting, straining and twisting is not going to do the healing process any good, and that's on the surface. Next you've got your entry, either boat or shore, followed by an exit. Underwater your buddy is depending on you. Are you going to be fit enough to get to him in an emergency?

Personally I wouldn't even consider it until the 6 month mark. How long did I wait? I'm still waiting, haven't been fit enough since my RALP.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/10/2015 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Good points, Doug.

I guess I'll just find out tomorrow after they pull the catheter out and the doc goes over the pathology report.  If I feel like I have to wait 6 months, then so be it.  I don't think there's a rubber stamp solution that can be applied to everyone.  I think it depends, as most things do, on personal level of physical fitness prior to the surgery, level of success of the surgery, and how well everything heals up after the surgery.

I was diving 2-3 days a week on average and placed 2nd in the 60-64 age group in the Running for Dreams 5K in Jacksonville, FL several weeks ago.  That was my second 5k in as many months.

Considering everything that's happened, I feel fit as a fiddle!  I'm sure that feeling will improve an order-of-magnitude more tomorrow when I get this tube out of me.  At any rate, I doubt I'll be waiting over a year to go diving again. 

__________________
Age at Diagnosis: 60
Biopsy: 2 of 12, both on LT side, G3+3
Clinical Stage T1C
Have my post-op appointment and have catheter removed on 6/10/2015.

Posted 6/10/2015 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe you didn't notice but I also had an Orchiectomy. I know you're new to this PC thing and it's good that you want to get back to normal asap but, your plumbing has been rearranged. If you're fortunate enough to be continent when they yank your catheter don't do anything to screw it up, unless you want a lifetime heater for your wetsuit. As a G6 you'll probably have many more years of enjoyable diving ahead of you just don't rush it. Mine are over.
Best of luck!

Cheers, Doug
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply