Appendectomy and cycling- how long to heal?

[Kainalu]

I got out of the hospital last night, doctor says no lifting anything over 5 lbs for the next 4 weeks. Wondering if anyone has any experience and suggestions regarding how long to wait before getting back on my bike.
Thanks
-Kai
Brooklyn NY

[Ron Mc]

be careful - if you're bicycling correctly, you're using your core muscles

[Deacon Patrick]

My approach is to listen to my body, and that healing happens more fully through reasonable activity than sedentary. I had an appendectomy in September 2014. I just reviewed my pictures and here are the dates for what I started doing after (and I had zero complications):

September 19: Surgery

23: began hiking two miles

24: Hiked 6 miles, significant climbing.

28: Biked 20 miles, single speed, significant climbing.

Your milage may vary. And I suspect that timing was very much against doctors orders. My wife just told me his orders were "no strenuous activity for 4 weeks". I took it easy, and didn't do anything I considered strenuous for 4 weeks. Definitions may vary. Grin.

Things I keep in mind:

dull pain: generally good, using something and promotes healing

sharp pain: generally bad. Slow down or stop and assess.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Deacon Patrick]

Och! I meant to lead with: Im glad you got the surgery and everything went well! Heal well and you'll be in my prayers.

With abandon,

Patrick

On Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 10:19:38 AM UTC-6, Kainalu wrote:

[David Banzer]

Hi Kai,
Glad you're ok. I had an appendectomy last summer and was told the same, 4 weeks. I think I was biking close to that timeframe. Listen to your body though and you'll know when you're ready, could be sooner, could be later. Take it easy and go for some walks first. When you're ready to get back on a bike, go easy, maybe stick to an easy gear.
As my brother told me, you now have one less organ to worry about.
David
Chicago

On Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 11:19:38 AM UTC-5, Kainalu wrote:

[Ron Mc]

(it's actually an ersatz organ that we haven't used since we ate tree bark ;)  )

On Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 11:47:30 AM UTC-5, David Banzer wrote:

...

[Kainalu]

I'm glad to be rid of it, I just wondered if there were any nightmarish stories of riding before the 4 week mark. I think I'll do my best to stay within the prescribed guidelines. In 6 or so weeks I'll be seeing my mustard Clem for the first time, so perhaps I'll make that my must ride by date. Took my two year old for a long stroller roll today and did some weeding in the planter, and as an oxy-codone every four hours isn't giving me any false courage, I'm just taking it easy...
Thanks
-Kai
Brooklyn NY

[IanA]

Interesting stuff.  I have a inguinal hernia that I've been putting off having repaired.  Partially because they told me two months off the bike and away from yoga and partially because I am still trying to find a surgeon who will do it with resorbable mesh.  In Canada, the procedure is paid for etc., but it can be a struggle navigating the health service.

I'm starting to feel it more and more and I think I getting some odd side-effects from living with it unrepaired, so maybe it;s time.  I've though about the exercise following surgery a lot, and am wondering if just walking long distances will fill the exercise void and promote health after surgery.

Not meaning to derail the thread, but as it is not entirely unrelated (surgery etc) I'd appreciate the info.

Ian A/Canada

[Kainalu]

Walking's never a bad thing. That's what I've been up to the last couple days. Not nearly ready for biking or any other remotely exercisey exercise, but I'm getting closer.
I'd say do the research and get it done. I've been telling [joking with] my friends they ought to get preemptive appendectomies to avoid the before pain.
Feel better
-Kai
Brooklyn NY