Working out after RARP

Simplest answer: "Start slow" and "listen to your body." I did not go back to the gym for three months. Frustrating...it is like I never worked out. Everyone says "you'll bounce back quickly." That isn't true when you are 70 years old. I had worked out 3-4 days per week for 2.5 years prior to my surgery. After my catheter was removed 11 days post-op, I was leaking too much and didn't want to experience the humiliation of an accident in the gym beyond what my diaper could handle. But that was a lesser priority, because I "couldn't" do much. I am divorced and live alone. I had to maintain my large home by myself, so I just paced myself each day, doing a little of this or that. One day it was dry mopping, then wet mopping my wood floors. Next day it was 2-3 loads of laundry. Next day is was change the sheets on my bed and clean the bathrooms; next day it was rake leaves in my backyard, etc. My body instantly told me: "Nope...won't/can't do that" when I took it too far. "I listened" and backed off things for a day or two. At my three-month follow-up I asked my urologist when I can resume my full gym workout? He said that I could have resumed workouts at 30 days or so, but with caution and to "listen to my body." I told him that there was no way that I could have resumed at 30 days post-op. BTW...I had the single incision (~3" wide) DaVinci Robotic-assisted RP, and what I felt was a very "DEEP" and "heavy" kind of pain. I felt like I had been beat up, assaulted, and pummeled below my navel...but DEEP inside of me. Bowel movements were difficult, first because I needed Percocet for post-surgical pain, which caused constipation (narcotic effect), but also, I just couldn't "bear down" like I normally did without that DEEP pain stopping me. The pain stopped me in my tracks. That went on for about 7-10 days post-op. There was also more outward/superficial pain like my incision for a while, but the deep pain lasted for 30-45 days, slowly decreasing over that time. So, long story, short...take it slow, don't over do it, and listen to your body. I walked in the gym the first day to start as I always do with a 4-5 mile bike ride...I barely made 3 miles because I had lost stamina...my legs were weak for three months of inactivity. So "I listened". I am not back yet where I want/need to be, but I am 3/4 of the way since my April surgery, and my mid-July resumption of workouts. Good luck.

It is so interesting to see how recovery varies for different people BUT the major point is - listen to your body and no matter what a "release paper" says, you have to adjust your activity to what feels right for you.

If you feel super fine after 6 weeks STILL take it easy and adjust any movement or activity as soon as you feel any pain or "pulling" feeling or a sudden fatigue.

My husband says that he feels "nothing" different now at 4 weeks mark, his stitches are long gone, no pain sitting on hard surface or anything but I watch him like a hawk 🧐 - only fast walking for couple of miles a day allowed as form of exercise and kegels, of course ☺️.

Better safe than sorry 👍 😎