Prostate surgery… How soon can I ride again?

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I had prostate surgery about six weeks ago and have stayed off the Guzzi. I have a 1200 sport with the stock seat. When could I get back to riding? Anyone go through the same experience? Any thoughts?

[injundave]

I had mine done in early March. I started riding again when I could sit on the bike with no discomfort. It's all in how you feel.

All the best.

Dave

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Just wasn’t sure if my stock seat would put pressure at the wrong area.

[Ncdan]

Seek the advice of your doctor would be recommendation👍

[Navydad]

I had robotic surgery to remove my prostate and I was on the bike in six weeks. Not a long ride, but I was riding. It was probably ten weeks before I ventured a hundred miles and that was a bit too far for comfort. Only you can decide how comfortable you are when riding. My doc told me to give it six weeks and then let my body tell me what was comfortable.

[Cam3512]

Patient:  Doc, it hurts when I do that.

Doc:  Then don’t do that.

[StuCorpe]

I started riding again about 5-6 weeks after prostate removal.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I had robotic surgery to remove my prostate and I was on the bike in six weeks. Not a long ride, but I was riding. It was probably ten weeks before I ventured a hundred miles and that was a bit too far for comfort. Only you can decide how comfortable you are when riding. My doc told me to give it six weeks and then let my body tell me what was comfortable.

I had prostate and kidney exorcised at the same time. The cutter said 6 weeks if you are feeling ok. Don't get 300 miles away and decide that was a bad idea. 
6 weeks to the day..

[pete mcgee]

On that seat?
They were uncomfortable without surgery.
Im impressed.

[SIR REAL ED]

Seek the advice of your doctor would be recommendation👍

Shirely there's no way any doctor could match the combined knowledge of the Wild Guzzi Brain Trust!!!   

Let Dr. Prostate be your guide.   

He might not say much, but his opinion will be very difficult to ignore.

[guzzi4me]

After my surgery it was about 5 weeks when I sat on the bike. Body told me 1 more week please. Went for a small ride and felt OK. Slowly increased the length of rides and everything felt good.

Everyone is different....listen to your body!

Jeff

[n3303j]

Radical Prostatectomy.
Conventional Surgery.
I was riding to and from work (40 mi tot) on the 11th day.
I was back up to my 450 mile rides 8 weeks after surgery.
That was 12 years ago.
I was 64.

[Stevex]

Do you mind if I ask you guys...was your prostate removed due to cancer or some other issue?
Once removed do you have to use a bag to collect urine?
I ask because I've had an enlarged prostate for at least the last 10-12 years and am on daily meds to make 'going' easier.
Last year I had a prostate biopsy which luckily for me came back negative.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^Yeah, cancer of the prostate and when we did a routine MRI found a kidney about to blow up. Apparently unrelated.. but I used to be elbow deep in what are now known as cancer causing chemicals at GM when I was a pup.
I can pee like a teenager, but some have incontinence issues. Fortunately, I don't.

[n3303j]

Cancer.
Bag for the first 10 days until the urethra healed.
Depends for the first month until alternate muscles could stop the stream.
Since then no problem with stoppage.

......35% chance that erectile function disappears.
I do miss it

[guzzi4me]

Cancer.
Bag for the first 10 days until the urethra healed.
Depends for the first month until alternate muscles could stop the stream.
Since then no problem with stoppage.

......35% chance that erectile function disappears.
I do miss it

Same here except I used pads instead of depends after prostate removal.

Yes, I lost my erection. But dead men don't have them either. I'll take life over death anyday!
It helps a lot that I have a loving and understanding wife and best friend.

And yes I miss it too!!

Jeff

[Mr Pootle]

I had prostate surgery about six weeks ago and have stayed off the Guzzi. I have a 1200 sport with the stock seat. When could I get back to riding? Anyone go through the same experience? Any thoughts?

ride it round the block. If it feels ago, then the next day ride it half a mile, the day after that, one mile and so on. Let your body tell you.

[PeteS]

Since it hasn’t come up, it depends on what sort of surgery was done. Complete removal or a TURP where tissue is removed from benign enlargement. If the latter was it done the conventional way with cutting tools or a laser? I would suggest your doctors opinion but if it was for benign enlargement then waiting a few more weeks may be better to avoid scarring that might require followup treatment.

Pete

[Texas Turnip]

I had 56 radio active seeds put in at the VA Hospital in Seattle 20 years ago in Feb.. My 20 yo wife and dog couldn't sit on my lap as the seeds were active for I can't remember how long.  Still some leakage if I'm cutting wood all day with the chain saw.

Dr. Kent Wallner has written 2 books on prostate cancer. No conclusive results as some in their 60's say the hell with surgery and still live 20 years.

Everyone handles pain differently. I had a vascetomy and went out and kick started my panhead Harley and rode 30 miles home on mostly gravel roads.

Good luck with it. Do what you think is best,

Tex

[Ted Town]

I opted for the Rezum procedure (steam cleaning) over the TURP surgery last March. (No cancer, just an enlarged prostate that made peeing troublesome.) Up here in the Great White North riding in early spring is not a lot of fun, so I was able to wait until May. No worries, and I ride a pre-rubbermount Sportster.

[Navydad]

Prostate cancer with prostate removed by robotic surgery in 2018. Follow up radiation a year later. I'm at near three years now with PSA at undetectable levels. It doesn't get much better than that. If going to a function where I may be away from restroom facilities I will use a pad just in case. I do have an occasional drip get out if straining or moving a certain way, but I have older friends that say they have that issue and they still have their prostate I am riding long distances and enjoying life. As far as sex is concerned I have had some success, but things don't always work like they used to. BUT as already stated I am alive and cancer free.

[Chuck in Indiana]

BUT as already stated I am alive and cancer free.

Yes. There is that. It was caught in a routine PSA test. I have a friend that won't go to a doctor..I told him I'd already be dead if I had that attitude. <shrug> My half brother wouldn't go to a doctor either.. he died at 59.

[ChuckH]

Sounds like my experience is a little different.  My PSA level was elevated during a normal annual physical and my urology doctor recommended a biopsy.  That indicated cancer on one side of the gland, not the other.  A bone scan and CAT scan indicated the cancer was isolated to only the prostrate gland.  Due to my age (87 at the time) an operation to remove the gland was not an option; only "do nothing" and let it run its' course - or - "focused radiation treatments with hormone shots".  I chose the latter.  Twenty-eight treatments and four hormone shots later my PSA level is unmeasurable and I'm living a "normal life". 

What's that "normal life stuff" mean for an 89 year old??  I'm doing the same physical activities now after all the medical stuff that I did before it happened.  I seem to get tired a bit easier -- doctors tell me that could be the hormone shots - or - it could be "that age thing".  As far as urine elimination, no leakage but gravity is my friend.  I stay away from pain, if possible, so I'll avoid the "pipe enlargement" until absolutely necessary.
As far as an erection, I have to dig into my long term memory for that vision.  But, my wife (of 64 years) and I decided a long time ago that we did not want any more children, so that solves that problem.

Unfortunately guys, if we live long enough, there's a high probability we'll have to deal with either a prostrate or colon problem.  By the way, the ladies don't get off "Scot-Free" either -- they have their own set of problems they deal with.

My advice -- get regular medical check-ups so you can possibly find out what's happening before it gets really bad.  Once something bad is found, get the best medical advice you can and follow it.  And, pray a little bit.  That may help more than you think.

Ride safe out there.



 

[Stevex]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences, it's much appreciated.

[Ncdan]

Sounds like my experience is a little different.  My PSA level was elevated during a normal annual physical and my urology doctor recommended a biopsy.  That indicated cancer on one side of the gland, not the other.  A bone scan and CAT scan indicated the cancer was isolated to only the prostrate gland.  Due to my age (87 at the time) an operation to remove the gland was not an option; only "do nothing" and let it run its' course - or - "focused radiation treatments with hormone shots".  I chose the latter.  Twenty-eight treatments and four hormone shots later my PSA level is unmeasurable and I'm living a "normal life". 

What's that "normal life stuff" mean for an 89 year old??  I'm doing the same physical activities now after all the medical stuff that I did before it happened.  I seem to get tired a bit easier -- doctors tell me that could be the hormone shots - or - it could be "that age thing".  As far as urine elimination, no leakage but gravity is my friend.  I stay away from pain, if possible, so I'll avoid the "pipe enlargement" until absolutely necessary.
As far as an erection, I have to dig into my long term memory for that vision.  But, my wife (of 64 years) and I decided a long time ago that we did not want any more children, so that solves that problem.

Unfortunately guys, if we live long enough, there's a high probability we'll have to deal with either a prostrate or colon problem.  By the way, the ladies don't get off "Scot-Free" either -- they have their own set of problems they deal with.

My advice -- get regular medical check-ups so you can possibly find out what's happening before it gets really bad.  Once something bad is found, get the best medical advice you can and follow it.  And, pray a little bit.  That may help more than you think.

Ride safe out there.

Chuck, thank you so much for sharing your story and life’s experiences on this subject. You have offered some great advice for all of us aging gentlemen here. You are added to my HERO list👍

[Road Rocket]

Interesting topis as I have friends who have gone through it...Some had life changing issues, some not. Best of luck to all of you....With tongue in cheek, I have a terminal disease, but urination and erection are good to go 

[Navydad]

If you are 50 years of age get your PSA checked. If a history of prostate cancer in your family get a check at 40. It is a simple blood test. There is no reason to die from this Cancer.

[SIR REAL ED]

Interesting thread.  All opinions appreciated.

My doctor of 30+ years recommends getting your PSA check regularly once you are past 50.  Other doctors, and I think even one cancer organization claim there are so many false positives that testing PSA level is a waste of time.

Reminds me of the "eggs are bad for you, eggs are good for you" or the "butter is bad for you, butter is good for you" debates.

Let your conscience be your guide.  There are "experts" of every opinion imaginable out there.  Kinda like Baskins-Robbins, pick the one you like the best.

[Mr Pootle]

Interesting thread.  All opinions appreciated.

My doctor of 30+ years recommends getting your PSA check regularly once you are past 50.  Other doctors, and I think even once cancer organization claim there are so many false positives that testing PSA level is a waste of time.

Reminds me of the "eggs are bad for you, eggs are good for you" or the "butter is bad for you, butter is good for you" debates.

Let your conscience be your guide.  There are "experts" of every opinion imaginable out there.  Kinda like Baskins-Robbins, pick the one you like the best.

Many British doctors are loath to give PSA tests. Their argument is that the tests throw up too many false negatives or false positives, and that PSA stands for "promotes stress and anxiety". But when pressed, a consultant urologist I was talking to conceded that too many men come to him too late for him to make a difference.
I have a number of friends who've been found to have the cancer as the result of the test, and insist on having one every year as part of my annual checkup.

[Roebling3]

 I've been the luckiest sob, imaginable. Logged big miles from 2 wheelers to 6 axle rigs, while getting a degree; through 11 years of night school - when you had to show up in person!. A fun & very rewarding job, with much travel, is a hoot to recall.
 I retired @ 81, always certain I'd catchup to Fred Marsh - (rode motor driven 2 wheelers @ 101, passed @ 104).
 On the positive side? Pre-surgery, as a prep for the inevitable, I had the seat of a favorite bike (RS125 'trenched?'), and the cover put back on. I have a hoot with that little stinker and 3 other bikes less than ~ 330#.
 Now I'm too busy chasing health related appointments to do anything 'else'. I have a DNR.               
            Remember the good stuff!  Good fortune,   R3~