Resuming training after partial neph surgery

Mav1969a
Mav1969a Member Posts: 22
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hello fellow partial nephs,

As of today, I hit the 1 month mark since surgery.

Like many of you, I was pretty active prior to surgery:    mostly a road biker, but I run a bit (not very fast) and swim (even worse).  Couple tri's over past year... .  My question is about how you have handled recovery with respect to re-engaging working out.

 At this point, 1 month out from surgery, I have done little more than walk a mile or two at any one time and bike 5/6 miles at a leisurely pace.  My doctor, who is a pretty fit bloke, tells me to not do much until I hit the 6 week mark. 

I am starting to get a little "itchy" for the gym.

 So how have you guys handled recovery with training and how did your system(s) respond?

 Thank you for anything you can add.

 

mav

Comments

  • butterfly wings
    butterfly wings Member Posts: 28
    #2
    hi

    Well done to getting to 1 month.  I'm just a couple of weeks ahead of you.  I'm back to very slow 4 km jogging and football training.  I'm taking it super easy.  I've been nervous to get back on my bike but I'm hoping to this weekend.

    I went swimming this past weekend and found if I tried to exert myself at all I would feel a slight pain.....my body was saying no.

     

    Hope you are feeling well and you are back training again real soon.

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #3
    butterfly wings said:

    hi

    Well done to getting to 1 month.  I'm just a couple of weeks ahead of you.  I'm back to very slow 4 km jogging and football training.  I'm taking it super easy.  I've been nervous to get back on my bike but I'm hoping to this weekend.

    I went swimming this past weekend and found if I tried to exert myself at all I would feel a slight pain.....my body was saying no.

     

    Hope you are feeling well and you are back training again real soon.

    My fiance started swimming a

    My fiance started swimming a bit more than 2 months after his partial. He got very tired at first, but mentioned no pain. 

  • Mav1969a
    Mav1969a Member Posts: 22
    #4
    butterfly wings said:

    hi

    Well done to getting to 1 month.  I'm just a couple of weeks ahead of you.  I'm back to very slow 4 km jogging and football training.  I'm taking it super easy.  I've been nervous to get back on my bike but I'm hoping to this weekend.

    I went swimming this past weekend and found if I tried to exert myself at all I would feel a slight pain.....my body was saying no.

     

    Hope you are feeling well and you are back training again real soon.

    Thank you Butterfly

    Thank you Butterfly.

     

    I've thought about swimming as well.  

     

    Just to clarify, was the slight pain at the incision or more internal?

     

    Thank you.

     

    mav

  • Blueraidermike
    Blueraidermike Member Posts: 25
    #5
    Fellow Ironman Triathlete

    What I did for the first 6 weeks is walk a lot.  Then in week 7 started adding a little jogging.  It took me another 6 weeks to get from walking to all running.   Don't rush it.   After the 12 weeks, I was able to run , swim and bike with no real issues.    In fact 5 months after my surgery I did an half ironman race and damn near PR'd the event. 

    So for now, walk more, walk an incline on the treadmill.   Stay away from strength training until after your 6 week post op visit with the surgeon. 

  • Mav1969a
    Mav1969a Member Posts: 22
    #6
    Allochka said:

    My fiance started swimming a

    My fiance started swimming a bit more than 2 months after his partial. He got very tired at first, but mentioned no pain. 

    Thank you Allochka.

    Thank you Allochka.

    Good call.  Swimming may be the best jumpstarter.  But I can definitely see that the endurance factor (lack of that is) will play a role early on.

     

    Thank you.

     

    mav

  • Mav1969a
    Mav1969a Member Posts: 22
    #7
    Blueraidermike said:

    Fellow Ironman Triathlete

    What I did for the first 6 weeks is walk a lot.  Then in week 7 started adding a little jogging.  It took me another 6 weeks to get from walking to all running.   Don't rush it.   After the 12 weeks, I was able to run , swim and bike with no real issues.    In fact 5 months after my surgery I did an half ironman race and damn near PR'd the event. 

    So for now, walk more, walk an incline on the treadmill.   Stay away from strength training until after your 6 week post op visit with the surgeon. 

    Thank you Blueraider

    Thank you Blueraider.

     

     

    You and many others on this forum are such an inspiration!

     

    Yes, I don't want to rush it.  (But at the same time, I don't want to do too much laurel resting or I'll get use to it.)

     

    mav

  • Positive_Mental_Attitude
    Positive_Mental_Attitude Member Posts: 454
    #8
    My surgery was July 10. 

    My surgery was July 10.  Starting on July 14, I started walking 6 miles per day- 3 in the morning, 3 in the evening.  I live 1.5 miles from the beach, so it was worthwhile.  Prior to surgery I would jog on weekends about 6 miles per day.  If I recall correctly, it was uncomfortable for me to jog until about 8-10 weeks after the surgery. For me, the bouncing did not feel right.  It took me a while to get my endurance back.  I'm a volunteer firefighter, and about 3 months after my surgery date, we had a house fire, and I was pretty gassed after about 20 minutes of work--but going to work at a house fire as an interior firefighter is very strenuous and high intensity exercise.  It took me about 6-8 months to regain my stamina.  There are quite a few runners on here, and I recall one guy was at it pretty quickly.  Follow the advice of your doctor, and do what feels comfortable.

  • aamdsi
    aamdsi Member Posts: 284
    #9
    Yay on the 1st month!

    I am a Tri. person too 8-)  Had my open partial last March (2014).  FOr the first month I did A LOT of walking and very minor weights (5 lbs). I was told not to run or swim for 8 weeks - which was REALLY HARD.  But I listened.

    At 8 weeks I started a very slow 1 mile and worked up from there. Swimming was the same(and felt so good), a slow 1/4 mile the first week.  Biking was easier. I lifted weights (much lighter than normal) and all felt great. I did my first tri. mid-July and did well. 

    Now that being said...I pushed too hard too fast after that and the 2 tri.s and a long trail relay marathon that followed were HORRID. Felt awful, did awful.  No fun whatsoever. I got scolded for them 8-(

    Take it easy.  I should have stayed on the slow and steady course instead of going, "Hey I did as well as I noramlly do. I must be all better"  and took off 8-(.

    My simple advice (hindsight) this summer should be recovery focused.  Do a tri. or 2 but don't push to be "up to snuff".  5k's were easier and more fun. 

    Take your time - trust me, I know how hard that is. But I woudn't wish the experience I had after one race last year on anyone 8-(

  • Mav1969a
    Mav1969a Member Posts: 22
    #10
    Positive_Mental_Attitude said:

    My surgery was July 10. 

    My surgery was July 10.  Starting on July 14, I started walking 6 miles per day- 3 in the morning, 3 in the evening.  I live 1.5 miles from the beach, so it was worthwhile.  Prior to surgery I would jog on weekends about 6 miles per day.  If I recall correctly, it was uncomfortable for me to jog until about 8-10 weeks after the surgery. For me, the bouncing did not feel right.  It took me a while to get my endurance back.  I'm a volunteer firefighter, and about 3 months after my surgery date, we had a house fire, and I was pretty gassed after about 20 minutes of work--but going to work at a house fire as an interior firefighter is very strenuous and high intensity exercise.  It took me about 6-8 months to regain my stamina.  There are quite a few runners on here, and I recall one guy was at it pretty quickly.  Follow the advice of your doctor, and do what feels comfortable.

    Thank you P_M_A,
    Great

    Thank you P_M_A,

    Great tips.

    Been doing a morning and evening walk for last week and it feels great.

     

    Mav

  • Mav1969a
    Mav1969a Member Posts: 22
    #11
    aamdsi said:

    Yay on the 1st month!

    I am a Tri. person too 8-)  Had my open partial last March (2014).  FOr the first month I did A LOT of walking and very minor weights (5 lbs). I was told not to run or swim for 8 weeks - which was REALLY HARD.  But I listened.

    At 8 weeks I started a very slow 1 mile and worked up from there. Swimming was the same(and felt so good), a slow 1/4 mile the first week.  Biking was easier. I lifted weights (much lighter than normal) and all felt great. I did my first tri. mid-July and did well. 

    Now that being said...I pushed too hard too fast after that and the 2 tri.s and a long trail relay marathon that followed were HORRID. Felt awful, did awful.  No fun whatsoever. I got scolded for them 8-(

    Take it easy.  I should have stayed on the slow and steady course instead of going, "Hey I did as well as I noramlly do. I must be all better"  and took off 8-(.

    My simple advice (hindsight) this summer should be recovery focused.  Do a tri. or 2 but don't push to be "up to snuff".  5k's were easier and more fun. 

    Take your time - trust me, I know how hard that is. But I woudn't wish the experience I had after one race last year on anyone 8-(

    Thank you Aamdsi!

    Thank you Aamdsi!

    Great advice.  

     

    I actually jogged a bit on my walk this morning.  It felt great, no discomfort at all.  I'm am itching to get in a pool.  Hope doc gives that the OK this week.  I'll keep your advice in mind though and refrain from pushing too hard.  As my doctor reminds me, what's a few weeks to ensure healing compared to decades of health.

    cheers.

     

    Mav

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #12
    Mav1969a said:

    Thank you Aamdsi!

    Thank you Aamdsi!

    Great advice.  

     

    I actually jogged a bit on my walk this morning.  It felt great, no discomfort at all.  I'm am itching to get in a pool.  Hope doc gives that the OK this week.  I'll keep your advice in mind though and refrain from pushing too hard.  As my doctor reminds me, what's a few weeks to ensure healing compared to decades of health.

    cheers.

     

    Mav

    Oh dear

    I am officially a lazy git! Mowed the back lawn. Aches like buggery! Thinking about mowing the front lawn.

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