Lifting

Randy--The general rule of thumb with abdominal surgery is a wait of 6 to 8 weeks before lifting more than 10 lbs. The surgery requires an incision thru skin, fat, muscle layers and peritoneum.

Recovery is usually rapid--the peritoneum, skin and fatty layer heal within days. Muscle takes the strain of intra-abdominal pressure and requires healing in two stages: (1) A thickened inflexible scar forms with nerve endings (2) Scar tissue becomes flexible and adapts to movement.

Healing must be allowed to occur to prevent weakness in the scar line and potential for rupture or herniation of the abdomen thru the weakened muscles. Exercise can begin at about 6 weeks and gradually build up to full use of the muscles.

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Age 59 PSA 2.6 PSA velocity quadrupled in 1 yr 

1 of 12 biopsy cores positive (5% involvement) Open RP 6/21/06  Gleason 5

Cancer confined to prostate  Post-op PSA's non-detectable

WD -- Wait at least 8 weeks before wrestling with tires or you'll wind up giving money to your doctor and your mechanic.
Trust me, it takes time for the internal muscles to heal.

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D.O.B - 8/9/52

PSA: First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1

DRE: Negative

Biopsy results 11/22/06.  Both lobes involved.  Six out of eight cores positive - from 100 percent to 90, to 60, to 50, two 20s and two zeros.

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Da Vinci Robotic RP surgery, City of Hope, Jan 12, 2007

Post surgery pathology – Organ confined, Gleason still 6, margins clear.  Volume of tumor much less than biopsy suggested.  12 percent overall.

First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07

Second post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 9/11/07