Breathing and kegel exercises

Kegels were helpful during my recovery, but the exercise that really moved the needle for me in terms of regaining continence was rowing. I would suggest that if you have access to a rowing machine, start that before your surgery and continue it following surgery. I would wait about 4 weeks after surgery.

I am having the RARP procedure on August 13. I met with my urologist’s physical therapist who gave me this routine to practice before and after surgery (post catheter).

1. Inhale, contract muscles while breathing out for a count of 2, rest for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times 3x per day

2. Inhale deeply, contract muscles while breathing out for a count of 10, rest for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times 3x per day

Start while lying down for a few days, then transition to sitting and then standing

Excellent!

Thanks for sharing.

I think you missed one thing.

When you breathe in, you’re supposed to breathe in to your stomach, not your chest. After filling your stomach with air, you contract the muscles.

These are instructions. I was given by a physical therapist who specializes in problems with pelvic floor muscles.

You absolutely have to breathe.

If you hold your breath you are restricting your pelvic floor muscles. When doing a kegel breathe in, engage PFM while exhaling if you are doing a long Kegel ( 10-15 seconds) breathe while holding

Thanks Edin : ))) ! How are you doing, by the way : ) ???? I hope that you are resting except when you do your Kegel's ?

Thanks for sharing.

She also has a companion video of Kegel for Men a Beginner's version.

A physical therapist who specializes in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles would definitely add one thing to this.

Before doing all that tightening breathe in to your stomach, not your chest and then tighten.

Now it does say it’s a beginning lesson. What I mention is what I got taught when I went to a physical therapist who only sees people for pelvic floor problems. She even brought in her boss (another PT) to go over the breathing instructions, more closely along with the sit to stand instructions, for more advanced pelvic floor exercising.

Thanks for asking Surftohealth
I really hope you and as many out there as possible are doing OK
For me the glass is half full. I just had my second PSA since RARP in January and it is very low. that is the most important thing.

I see an experienced surgeon next week to see about possible hernia repair, Gallbladder removal and cyst on my abdominal wall I have no idea if I will have any surgery or a combination surgery

meanwhile, incontinence is improving but very slowly. I am a very slow learner. I have been going on walks every day usually between 2 and 8 miles every day total. I am not ready to try the exercise bike again especially sinoe I have been having some on again off again perineum pain. . I do fine with this ( a 3 mile early, perhaps a midday 3-4 mile and then a one or two mile near dinner time minor leakage minor pain near hernial area.

However, when I babysit after about just an hour or two I am leaking considerably and sometimes tender. what I am learning is that all the sudden movement, twisting, picking up things etc my pelvic floor muscles are not used to this quick activation and de-activation I cannot control what these one, two , three and four year olds will do. I love being around them and will not stop but it is an unpredictable environment

How are you doing? How long post RARP?.