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whne to resume normal activity after robotic surgery

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Posted 6/8/2008 4:15 AM (GMT -8)
 

my doctor told me not to lift anything greater than 10 lbs for 6 weeks after robotic surgery?  did any of you have the same restrictions.  also, did you resume activities after 6 weeks.  i haven't been able to mow the yard, etc. because of the restrictions.  i don't want to start anything too soon. 

Posted 6/8/2008 4:31 AM (GMT -8)
Rob2 - that's about the norm - 6-8 weeks. Yes, that includes riding mowers - the bouncing around. And, think about the efforts it takes to even close the hatch of an SUV - that also exerts pressure. Also, there's the risk of developing a hernia when resuming activities too fast.

And this is only for "normal" activities - not strenuous biking, etc.

BTW - we were cleared for surgery 8 weeks after (for a pre-existing hernia).

It'll go by quickly - and worth the patience- or impatience - in the long run.
Posted 6/8/2008 5:23 AM (GMT -8)
I did not have robotic surgery, but did have radical and I to was told not to do anything strenous for several weeks. What I did do was get out and walk alot, that helped get my energy level and mood back up. Be sure to take it easy so you can fully recover and resume a normal life.

Peace to you my friend
Dale
Posted 6/8/2008 5:48 AM (GMT -8)
thanks for the info. i have been very careful. i may have lifted things a little over 10 pounds by mistake but am very careful. just picking up the dirty clothes hamper was over 10 pounds. never thought i would look forward to mowing the yard but i can't wait.... i walk about twice about day with each walk being about 1.5 miles. living in houston, i have to leave out early in the morning and late at night. it is getting very hot here as it is almost everywhere these days. it is summer and i am enjoying every minute of it.
Posted 6/8/2008 7:56 AM (GMT -8)
Rob,

You and I were the same age at the time of surgery. I was back doing whatever I wanted within reason except for lifting, 2 weeks after of surgery. The Doc's statement was "just don't do anything stupid." He wrote on my return to work papers, "no more than 25 pounds, non repeatative lifting until return appointment." If I had to lift 25 pounds all the time, he intended to set a limit of 10 pounds. On desk duty the heaviest thing I had to lift was a coffee cup for a month. Went back on full duty in 6 weeks with no problems.

Paul
Posted 6/8/2008 10:02 AM (GMT -8)
thanks. i went back to work part time afer three weeks and i too have a desk job. heaviest thing for me was carrying my computer home (7 pounds). i am much better after the 4 week mark. feel almost back to normal. as they say time, patience and let's not forget those kegels!
Posted 6/8/2008 4:55 PM (GMT -8)
Rob2 - My surgery was one week before yours. I worked half days last week (Monday was the 4 week mark), and tomorrow I will start full days. I was told not to pick up anything "heavy" for 6 weeks, not sure what heavy is. After 52 years I finally caved in and signed up for a lawn service to do my yard. They started a week before my surgery. The wife and my 2 daughters mowed last summer during my shoulder surgery, and they had no desire to continue that process. I must admit, the lawn service is sweet.

We all heal at different rates, I am just not sure I am as far along as I'd like to be. My butt is still killing me (I have good days and bad days), and I am dribbling a LOT more than I'd like - and kegels hurt my butt. So I'm walking, and I kegel as much as possible - which isn't much.

Energy-wise I feel pretty good. I was just outside watering and weeding in the garden (8:30 PM). I coached my daughter's soccer team in the blistering heat Saturday morning, and that did not kill me.

In my building (450 people) incredibly there are two other guys who have had the robotic surgery in the past 6 months. They seem to have come back a lot fast than I have so far - and they are both a little older than I am. Very frustrating.

ANOTHER friend of mine (an older guy) had the robotics, tried to get back to exercising too early, and apparently has a huge hernia (?) from about his belly button to his sternum. So you can be active, but I would be careful about really exercising for at least 6 weeks.

We'll all get there eventually, I guess.
kcragman
Posted 6/8/2008 5:20 PM (GMT -8)
kcragman - thanks. signed up for the lawn service too (first time ever). not sure i will get rid of them this year. it is already a 95+ degrees in houston. as for kegels, my doctor is adament that they work. i spend 5 minutes each morning when i wake up doing them (20 reps) and another 5 minutes right before i go to bed. it seems to be helping. my doctor said to lay on your right side and do the kegel for 5 seconds and relax for 10 seconds and then repeat it up to 20 reps.
i do not want a hernia. i had to push pretty hard 7 days after surgery during a bm and was scared i was doing hurting something. i sat on the toilet waiting on the bowels to do their job so long that my feet feel asleep. i ending up pushing, etc. before i left the hospital they said not to force the first one but assume they meant a lot of them.
Posted 6/8/2008 5:48 PM (GMT -8)
It was right about the six week mark that I felt anywhere close to "normal" after my robotic surgery.

I took a week off. Started working from home (on computer) the second week and just collapsed the second day of work from home (was sitting in my bed and just couldn't stay up with work mentally or physically). Took the next day off and then went back to half days from home.

I started by full time from home the middle of the third week and didn't go back to work in person until about a month after (working from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays to give me a break).

The recovery for me was much, much longer than I anticipated but exactly what the doctor had given me (six weeks).
Posted 6/9/2008 11:03 AM (GMT -8)
Patience, my dear friend.......patience!

That's the one word you have to remember.

Try telling a guy he's not allowed to lift anything over 10 lbs...Yeah, RIGHT!

You'd be amazed how much things weigh. I was fortunate because I had my surgery done in the winter (Jan 2008). Wasn't much yard work to worry about. My biggest thing was that I couldn't take the trash out to the curb. After doing it for so many years, it's "programmed" in you. It killed me watching my wife take it out (hey! that's MY job!!). 

Even worse, we had a mild snowstorm in Feb, I figured I'd lightly "push" the snow.........again, my wife said, "NO WAY!!!"  (Of course, she was right).

Sometimes the mental recovery is worst than the physical recovery.

Be patient, don't push it.........you'll have a better recovery in the long run.

Posted 6/9/2008 12:03 PM (GMT -8)

Be berry berry careful.  There are several cases of hernia stories from our brothers having da DaVinci on this site.

I am 9 weeks out and am still carefull at certain lifts.  I had a pain from a lift that lasted a couple of days.  Your energy comes back quick and that can give you a false sense of security.  I would take it real easy for 7 weeks and then ease into it.  I put in 5 windows in a house with help and had myself in a situation where I had to lift alone.  That scared me.

Be patient I have heard the hernia surgery is worse than the DaVinci.

Be Goooood.

Frank

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