If swimming means wading in a pool for 10 or 15 mintues the answer is yes, If it means more than a 25 yard lap training for the ironman the Answer is no. For the next few months treat it like walking, if it becomes painful, stop.
It sort of reminds me of my wife crashing the waves at a remote beach in the B.V. I. a couple of years ago on one of our Caribbean cruises. I was talking with a fellow about his big boat when my wife comes over in obvious pain after a hard fall from one of the waves and complaining she had broken her arm. The boat guy says I really shoudn't say anything, but I am an Orthopedic Surgeon. After a quick checkup it was determined that there was nothing wrong. The moral of the story is make sure that you have medical assistance available if you get in over your head.
I just want to get in the pool, walk around, and chill, nothing major, I'm at a resort and wasn't sure if it was ok. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking 15-20 minutes is all I can take in the sun.
My surgeon gave me permission to swim/soak/hot tub after five weeks. He was most adamant about not doing so prior to that time--it was my impression he was concerned about the potential for infection (water around here is notoriously bad), but I think the Iceman has a valid point about injuring yourself.
I'm nine weeks out from my surgery, and got the okey-dokey to swim a month ago. Of course, the irony is that I don't want to swim because I feel like I look like the Michelin Man (still really bloat-y).
I'm sure your water is not a scrofulous as Albuquerque's, but I would err on the side of caution.
I've heard Albuquerque's (and all of New Mexico's) water (if you can indeed call it that) described in many terms over the years, but "scrofulous" is a new one! Hahaha!
Tiffany, Icemantoo has given great advice. You have nothing to prove by being a superstar. You are a superstar because you are kicking cancer's ***! Take your time and enjoy your recovery.
I'm at 4 weeks, but I just want to walk around in poOl. I have the bulge, I'm still swollen to the point where I haadd to wear a size up, but I need to be in the water at least once before my summer ends next week
I agree with the other posts, I started swimming again around five to six weeks, I say swimming it was something between breast stroke and doggie paddle, it was a little painful to start with. At first i was concerned about swimming out in the deep end because I would tire so easily. I enjoyed it though and i think it helped strengthen my stomach muscles. I have a little pouch left over from the operation, just over my right kidney, it is slowly dissapearing and I think that is down to regular swimming.
I was thinking of lookin into aqua therapy and see if it would help me loose this excess weight.
As for now I just want to walk around nothing major no real swimming I just want totally know its damage ttbrio in chlorine pool thanks for the advice. I hate my pouch!
Unfortunately, Michael, that's very bad advice you're giving and liable to do some readers a lot of harm. We've seen that proved many times here on this forum (though probably not dramatically during the time in which you've been on board).
Most certainly, it's always a good idea to pay close attention to what your body is telling you, but it's a serious mistake to suppose that it will never play you false. Long gone, for most of us, are the days when (if ever) we were finely tuned into our bodies' messages and could safely depend on them to direct our actions. Your statement:
"Believe me, it will let you know, IN SPADES, very quickly if you are pushing too hard."
is very far from the truth. We have a wide spectrum here in age, general physical condition and overall health, such that generalisations about what's best are almost always dangerous.
Among our younger friends here we have quite a few endurance athletes, such as triathlon types, whose normal state is an enviable level of fitness and strength. We have seen far too many from those ranks rely to their cost on the assumption you've made above. They've come roaring back into their previous life-styles and done themselves a lot of damage before they've discovered their current limitations.
Troublesome hernias are one frequent consequence but, in general, setting back their recovery and healing processes, often by many months, has been a feature we've seen all too often.
SO! don't rely on your body to tell you if you're overdoing it. Take that essential exercise but, in the first few weeks and months, errr on the side of caution!!
Indeed TW is right... ya wanna see my hernia..? Good news is that it is not painful... but it will always be there.. I did too much too soon, and yes I felt that rip sensation... ouch..!! Take the time to heal up, then wait even longer before risking it...
As u can see I spent 15 minutes in the pool today and as much as I tried to love it, my 1 piece speedo felt like a straight jacket! It was so tight against my incision that all i wanted to do was get out of it. I just waded in the water, a kid bumped into me, and tonight 6 hrs later I'm having to take Advil. I think the combo 45 min drive, 2 hr shopping, and swim all contributed. It sucks but I needed a weekend to celebrate my health and my journey before summersend.
Hi Tiffany, You did more than push the boat out with that combination. A couple of days rest and the pain should settle down again. At least this experience will give you a marker as to where you are in your recovery. There is a lot of healing to take place and it will continue for some time, everything has to be approached with caution. Just delay your celebrations for a little while longer.
I think the water therapy is a good idea though, when you are ready. Maybe not in a speedo though lol!
Hi Tiffany, Hope you have no problems today. Bear in mind that anything that is close fitting when standing will become like a corset when sitting. Tight waist bands are definately something to be avoided. All the best!
Often they recommend no advil post nephrectomy, primarly because Advil is harsh on the kidneys. It depends on your creatinine level. Advil is off my diet....I am stuck with sucky tylenol.
My levels are high always have been, I can take it when needed but must follow label no more than daily reccomended dosage. I've only take it twice since my surgery
I started swimming about three times a week three weeks post op (open radical nephrectomy). Just light swimming...nothing heavy. It felt great and helped to stretch tight muscles. I did envision someone finding me floating face down when I swam to the deep end, but it obviously turned out well.
Joined: Jan 2010
Swimming
Tiffany.
Yes and no.
If swimming means wading in a pool for 10 or 15 mintues the answer is yes, If it means more than a 25 yard lap training for the ironman the Answer is no. For the next few months treat it like walking, if it becomes painful, stop.
It sort of reminds me of my wife crashing the waves at a remote beach in the B.V. I. a couple of years ago on one of our Caribbean cruises. I was talking with a fellow about his big boat when my wife comes over in obvious pain after a hard fall from one of the waves and complaining she had broken her arm. The boat guy says I really shoudn't say anything, but I am an Orthopedic Surgeon. After a quick checkup it was determined that there was nothing wrong. The moral of the story is make sure that you have medical assistance available if you get in over your head.
Icemantoo
Joined: Aug 2013
Lol no ironman competitions
I just want to get in the pool, walk around, and chill, nothing major, I'm at a resort and wasn't sure if it was ok. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking 15-20 minutes is all I can take in the sun.
Joined: Jun 2013
Oooh, I'm good at asking these.
Maybe not so good at answering.
My surgeon gave me permission to swim/soak/hot tub after five weeks. He was most adamant about not doing so prior to that time--it was my impression he was concerned about the potential for infection (water around here is notoriously bad), but I think the Iceman has a valid point about injuring yourself.
I'm nine weeks out from my surgery, and got the okey-dokey to swim a month ago. Of course, the irony is that I don't want to swim because I feel like I look like the Michelin Man (still really bloat-y).
I'm sure your water is not a scrofulous as Albuquerque's, but I would err on the side of caution.
Annie
Joined: Feb 2013
Scrofulous?
Hahahahaha!
I've heard Albuquerque's (and all of New Mexico's) water (if you can indeed call it that) described in many terms over the years, but "scrofulous" is a new one! Hahaha!
Tiffany, Icemantoo has given great advice. You have nothing to prove by being a superstar. You are a superstar because you are kicking cancer's ***! Take your time and enjoy your recovery.
Swim! But use your head!
Joined: Jun 2013
Scrofulous!
C'mon, Michael,
You've lived here. Admittedly, it's probably not the first adjective you think of, but it is apt.
I think I'll go have a big glass of scrofulous tap water right now as a matter of fact.
Annie
Joined: Feb 2013
Have two!
I'm buying!
There is nothing in the world like a big glass of water that you can take a bite of!
Joined: Jun 2013
so thick you can slice it!
Who needs ice?
Annie
Joined: Aug 2013
Thanks :)
Thanks :)
Joined: Aug 2013
4 weeks
I'm at 4 weeks, but I just want to walk around in poOl. I have the bulge, I'm still swollen to the point where I haadd to wear a size up, but I need to be in the water at least once before my summer ends next week
Joined: Apr 2013
To swim or not to swim?
Hi Tiffany,
I agree with the other posts, I started swimming again around five to six weeks, I say swimming it was something between breast stroke and doggie paddle, it was a little painful to start with. At first i was concerned about swimming out in the deep end because I would tire so easily. I enjoyed it though and i think it helped strengthen my stomach muscles. I have a little pouch left over from the operation, just over my right kidney, it is slowly dissapearing and I think that is down to regular swimming.
Djinnie x
Joined: Aug 2013
Aqua therapy
I was thinking of lookin into aqua therapy and see if it would help me loose this excess weight.
As for now I just want to walk around nothing major no real swimming I just want totally know its damage ttbrio in chlorine pool thanks for the advice. I hate my pouch!
Joined: Apr 2013
Water Therapy
Enjoy the water then while you have the chance:-)
Joined: Aug 2013
This thread makes me realise
This thread makes me realise maybe I am trying to run before I can walk :)
Joined: Feb 2013
GOOD!
LOL AllI am saying is gauge what you do by how your body reacts to it!
Believe me, it will let you know, IN SPADES, very quickly if you are pushing too hard.
"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, . . but to those who endure." (Paraphrased-Eccl. 9-11)
Joined: Nov 2011
BAD!
Unfortunately, Michael, that's very bad advice you're giving and liable to do some readers a lot of harm. We've seen that proved many times here on this forum (though probably not dramatically during the time in which you've been on board).
Most certainly, it's always a good idea to pay close attention to what your body is telling you, but it's a serious mistake to suppose that it will never play you false. Long gone, for most of us, are the days when (if ever) we were finely tuned into our bodies' messages and could safely depend on them to direct our actions. Your statement:
"Believe me, it will let you know, IN SPADES, very quickly if you are pushing too hard."
is very far from the truth. We have a wide spectrum here in age, general physical condition and overall health, such that generalisations about what's best are almost always dangerous.
Among our younger friends here we have quite a few endurance athletes, such as triathlon types, whose normal state is an enviable level of fitness and strength. We have seen far too many from those ranks rely to their cost on the assumption you've made above. They've come roaring back into their previous life-styles and done themselves a lot of damage before they've discovered their current limitations.
Troublesome hernias are one frequent consequence but, in general, setting back their recovery and healing processes, often by many months, has been a feature we've seen all too often.
SO! don't rely on your body to tell you if you're overdoing it. Take that essential exercise but, in the first few weeks and months, errr on the side of caution!!
Joined: Jan 2013
Indeed
Indeed TW is right... ya wanna see my hernia..? Good news is that it is not painful... but it will always be there.. I did too much too soon, and yes I felt that rip sensation... ouch..!! Take the time to heal up, then wait even longer before risking it...
Ron
Joined: Aug 2013
My 15 minutes in the water
As u can see I spent 15 minutes in the pool today and as much as I tried to love it, my 1 piece speedo felt like a straight jacket! It was so tight against my incision that all i wanted to do was get out of it. I just waded in the water, a kid bumped into me, and tonight 6 hrs later I'm having to take Advil. I think the combo 45 min drive, 2 hr shopping, and swim all contributed. It sucks but I needed a weekend to celebrate my health and my journey before summersend.
thanks for the feedback....no more water for me!
Joined: Apr 2013
Limitations
Hi Tiffany, You did more than push the boat out with that combination. A couple of days rest and the pain should settle down again. At least this experience will give you a marker as to where you are in your recovery. There is a lot of healing to take place and it will continue for some time, everything has to be approached with caution. Just delay your celebrations for a little while longer.
I think the water therapy is a good idea though, when you are ready. Maybe not in a speedo though lol!
Hope you feel better soon:)
Djinnie x
Joined: Aug 2013
Learning limitations
I truly am learning them day by day. Tomorrow should be interesting for me a meeting all day. Lets see how long I can sit
Joined: Apr 2013
Meeting
Hi Tiffany, Hope you have no problems today. Bear in mind that anything that is close fitting when standing will become like a corset when sitting. Tight waist bands are definately something to be avoided. All the best!
Djinnie x
Joined: May 2012
Are you ok with Advil?
Often they recommend no advil post nephrectomy, primarly because Advil is harsh on the kidneys. It depends on your creatinine level. Advil is off my diet....I am stuck with sucky tylenol.
Joined: Jun 2013
dittos on the tylenol
I was told absolutely no advil or NSAIDS.
I, too, am stuck with sucky Tylenol.
Annie
Joined: Aug 2013
Creatin
My levels are high always have been, I can take it when needed but must follow label no more than daily reccomended dosage. I've only take it twice since my surgery
Joined: Feb 2013
Duly Noted!
Thanks for the corrective response!
I should have qualified that with noting that it was MY personal experience and that I am a far different person!
Thanks again!
Joined: Oct 2010
Swimming
I started swimming about three times a week three weeks post op (open radical nephrectomy). Just light swimming...nothing heavy. It felt great and helped to stretch tight muscles. I did envision someone finding me floating face down when I swam to the deep end, but it obviously turned out well.