Running

dawgfan,
Paul was on the tread in 2 days at an average walking pace and able to do a run in 3 weeks...slower pace. By 6 weeks he could do a normal mile run without any problems. His surgeon only ordered him ..."don't do anything stupid and you'll be alright" when he asked about excersise. If it hurts, swells, drips too much, bleeds or strains...you're trying to do too much!
I suggest you not train for some marathon but you should be able to run in a fairly short time. You and Paul are the same age. Good Luck, Swim

My surgeon's instructions:  no heavy exercise for six weeks post surgery (this includes running).  It takes this long for scar tissue to form.  I am four weeks today post surgery and have two weeks to go.  However, slow paced walks are appropriate.  You'll only want to do slow paced anyway for a while.  I'm walking a couple of slow miles without any problem.  Plan to pick up the pace in two weeks. 

Why are you not keeping up the wieghts...and a ball for the abs...silly boy! Get right back there and do some weights get a ball to focus on abs and make those muscles long and lean. Cardio isn't the whole answer....whole body excersise is. Make those muscles long and lean again. Perhaps try pilati's twice a week instead of weights but don't leave out muscle training.
Having no joints because you decided to run 7 days a week isn't gonna help you much...makes being on top painful...OOOO, did I say that?
Good Luck Dawg. Swim

And our doc said to wait eight weeks before doing much - including getting on a riding mower. So, probably depends on the doc and healing ability surely is a factor. (?) Husb. is walking every day, but at a slower pace than normal and we're at week 3.5 post-daVinci surgery. But, he's still having some peripheral testicle pain and hoping it isn't hernia-related. I believe Spinbiscuit is the only one so far who reported the testicle pain. That can really slow things down.

TimG - nice description of how the healing goes. Glad to know it. Thanks. (Husb. lost 11 pounds and now is way too thin - trying hard to get it back.)

Dawgfan - regardless of which option you choose, think about kegeling - it won't hurt!

My surgeon also said nothing but walking until 6 weeks.  I have been walking lots and a fairly quick pace.  I feel like I could run (and did just a little) but found out my bladder wasn't quite ready for that!  He did say no running until then too.

3 weeks post so I will wait another 3 weeks.  I lost 8 pounds and plan to keep it off.  Another 5 pounds and I would be exactly where I should be.  I have to fly next week at (4 weeks post) for business, so I will have to pack light and be overly cautious.  This was my first week back to work full time and I do get amazingly tired by the end of the day.  I am trying not to over do it as I know will delay my recovery.  So, don't push it if you can help it.

Michael

Hi, guys. Glen, you described the "extra" pain to a T. And yesterday was the first day post-surgery that it was gone! Fatigue is still strong, though. After a morning walk and then groceries and lunch (no lifting/just exercise, although he kept trying to do things), that about did him in.

Michael - glad to see you're progressing so well! Do be careful - sounds like you're being reasonable. However, when you get into busy airport situations, it's tempting to rush things.

Glen,
You shoulda done your V-8! Seriously, some amount of fatigue is common following any surgical procedure. Our body tells us what it wants. All we have to do is listen. Children are perfect examples for us. When they get tired...they sleep...where ever they are and when they can't, they cry!
Children are self-regulated. We should learn from them.

Dawg,
Because you already do weight training and fittness training you will feel more like wanting to do things. Everything is moderation and listen to your body when it says...don't do that! The burn we feel while excersisiing is not giving you the same warning as fatigue and "the burn" does following surgery. One says hey, I feel good..while the other is trying to tell you you've done too much. Don't let your body tell you you've excersised too much. YOu goal at first shuld be to feel healthy, not tired. Weights are out for 6 weeks and then it's a slower transition. Beware, those hernias that can happen sooooo much more easily if the abs haven 't had time to completely heal.

Take a simple B-50 , a B-12 an A, E and C. That's it for a few weeks. Those will keep your energy at a decent level and promote healthy tissues. This is especially helpful for dark skinned people who already tend to build more scar tissue.

Don't go hog wild on vitimans. They do no good in large doses but they will waste hard earned money! L-Arginine 500-1000 and Pycnogenol between 30 and 50 depending which you can find, (note the spelling) twice a day is always a good for promoting healing as well. A lot of athletes will use L-Arginine as an extra energy booster. Actually it adds a little oomph to your own NO stores by helping the body use it more effectively. Taking more is not better!!!! Large doses of Arginine cause stomach upset so keep it moderate. For those with liver or kidney problems Arginine is used with caution.

I wish all surgeons would put their patients on Arginine. The label says not to take it with PDE5 drugs but that's not true at all unless you're young, have normal function and no nerve damage. I have never heard of Arginine causing super erections in anyone nor drops in BP. It' shalf life is pretty short. There are no side effects when taken properly.

The erection (male or female) depends in part on the release of NO, as does the normal health of all tissues. Those 2 things are screwed up for at least a while after prostate surgery. Arginine is a routine supplememnt for men with peyronies desease and low testosterone. Prostate guys have been left out of the loop it appears. We're going to see an NO doner in our next generation of PDE5 drugs. Remember that before paying 20 buck a pill for the new and improved Viagra someday! Swim