Connect
Recovery after liver resection: When did you get back to activities?
Following bowel cancer surgery in November 2022 and 3 months of chemo I had a good 14 months of normal activity until May 2024 when a follow up CT scan revealed 3 lesions on my liver which looked cancerous. This was confirmed following a CT PET scan and an MRI scan and resulted in a successful open surgery liver resection on 16 August. It was strange feeling 100% fit on 15 August (cycled 35 miles that day) and so thank God for scans. I'm aged 79.
Recovery is going reasonably well, constipation permitting, but I'm seeking advice as to when I can start lifting heavy items and getting back on my exercise bike without doing damage to where I was sliced open? I'm averaging around 3,000 steps per day at present, driving my car and plan to buy some new skis in January.
I found the Mayo bowel cancer support group extremely helpful (and still keep an eye on it). I'm looking forward to hearing from fellow sufferers recovering from liver cancer. Thanks.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Liver Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Congratulations Martin. My spouse had a malignant tumor (large 6 cm) and had his left lobe of his liver removed (resection) on 6/24/24 via assisted da Vinci robotic and 2 surgeons. Was told excellent margins, cancer not found any place else. He started oral chemo in August 2024 for 6 months with 2 weeks on chemo and 1 week off of chemo. This is precautionary and to kill and ‘floating cancer cells’ he may have. Every 2 months he has a MRI of abdomen and CT of Chest, every 3 weeks blood work. This regimen at Mayo Clinic will be done for 2 years due to the type of cancer he has recurrence is high. He will be a patient at Mayo for 5 years.
Since you had liver resection, you would need to follow instructions from your oncologist as to when you can return to ‘normal activities’. I am guessing you are not on chemo? What is your plan with your doctor?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello Sunflower 88. Thanks for your reply. I'm glad to hear that your husband is receiving excellent treatment from Mayo and I hope he does well over the coming months.
I met with my oncologist last week who gave me the good news that no chemo is needed for the time being. He's waiting to see the results of a recent CT scan and is also arranging an MRI of my liver, with follow ups every 4 months if all clear. Like your husband, the chemo I had after bowel cancer in November 2022 was 2 weeks on and 1 week off over a period of 3 months. Unfortunately that didn't appear to have stopped cancer spreading to my liver but might have slowed it up.
Yes, the recovery advice I'm receiving is that as a recent patient in hospital I have to be also patient now! I'm finding this hard as I just want to get back on my bike as soon as possible and get gardening again, but unsure about lifting / digging. All best to you and your husband.
Hello Martin,
Your doctor should be able to provide you with a timeline. If your liver resection was done laparoscopic and no chemo, after 8-12 weeks you should be able to proceed back to your normal life. My husband’s surgery was kinda laparoscopic, robot fingers went in thru his naval and clipped of the left lobe of his liver. It was not a big incision, above his waist he was cut maybe 1” in four areas. Only in the hospital for 48 hours. Love Mayo and the team we have.
Hope you get back to your normal life soon. You are very active which is good.
Thanks Sunflower88. I had open surgery and was in hospital for 9 days so I guess quite a time before everything stitches itself together again. But I'm averaging 4,000 steps a day and the occasional ride on my exercise bike and so getting there slowly. It was much quicker after the bowel cancer operation but that was keyhole like your husband's. Kind regards. Martin
Hi Martin, you probably need to wait until 8-12 weeks after surgery before you go back to your regular schedule. Baby steps for now.
You are on the road to recovery that is for sure