How long after spaceOAR is inserted before physical activity?

My RO said a day or two, but has had patients doing it that same day.
What does your doc say?

The SpaceOAR doctor said not to mow lawn on ride on, no 5K race 4 days later, and to wait until a week when the radiation oncologist would do the CT scan and mark my body for the future radiation treatment.

I don't know if there was a chance that the gel might move within the body or what.

I guess it is best to follow the docs advice. I took it light the following day, then was at the gym, golfing, hiking.......

Seems doctors are all over the place on this one. Mine told me no biking for three months and it's my favorite sport, and a week before doing anything else. Seems he was overly cautious.

My radiation oncologist does the placement himself, which is a little less common. He said it solidifies in minutes and therefore I could resume normal activities immediately. I walked 5 miles that day and 11 the next. Since he does it all - SpaceOar, Simulation and SBRT, I feel like he is in a position to know. He and physicist/dosimetrist said placement was great.

My RO also did the placement, but I had Barrigel, not SpaceOar.

I had SpaceOar implanted in April 2024, a few weeks before SBRT, Neither the urologist who did the work nor my RO gave me any physical restrictions. I was walking and working out the next day. And the rest of the treatment plan went on as scheduled, after my RO confirmed the SpaceOar was still in place.

@bobv48
I am reading a lot of diferent experiences and what was told to them. I would suggest you talk directly to your R/O and urologist for specific guidance for you.

SpaceOar is a gel that hardens around rectum to help push away rectum away from prostrate and lesson radiation damage.

My specific advice was NOT to bike ride immediately after getting it, and during all the time of getting radiation. This is to keep the SpaceOar from being moved by pressure put on area during biking which can affect how you radiation treatment was set up and parameters set up.

I know you have not gone through treatments but even having gas can affect your treatments. This is because can push prostrate around and again affect the R/O radiation set measurement and parameters set up. I made a mistake once eating soy protien and indeed had gas. The radiation tech. had trouble finding prostrate as had moved by the gas. I was told would have to change the parameters around to adjust to the movement.

My restrictions after treatments were NONE. I could start bike riding immediately. I did not receive and restrictions on walking, running ect. Remember though each person is an individual and what is best or told one patient does not mean it is good for you or best for you. If your R/O wants to restrict your exercise after it for any reason need to follow that.

You guys are lucky to have received "spaceoar" . I was told they didn't offer it. Did 39 IMRT sessions in 2022. I now have radiation proctitis. Lots of urgengies and a few accidents. For obvious reasons I am now at Mayo Phoenix.
Best of luck to all of us.