When can I be active again after surgery?

[Manders]

I am a Zumba instructor who was recently diagnosed with a 1.3cm AN. I am scheduled to have translab surgery to remove it on May 11. I am really worried because I know this surgery has a lengthy recovery period and really affects your balance and stamina. For those of you who have already gone through surgery how long was it before you could be physically active and work out again? Or dance? Zumba is a pretty high-intensity aerobic workout that involves a lot of dancing and I'm afraid that it's going to be ages before I'll be up to doing it again.

[leeclinton]

I started light exercising 4 weeks after surgery and back to taekwondo and high intensity exercise 6 weeks after surgery.
I had a very smooth recovery and was back to work in 2.5 weeks.

[Lynn Mc]

Manders,

I got on the WII fit a couple of weeks after surgery.  Slowly at first but I feel it certainly helped me recover.  Was back on my horse in 4 months.

[jaylogs]

This is one of those questions Manders, that one would usually say "Each person's experience is unique and can and will vary".  Some people bounce right back, some never quite make it back to pre-op levels.  Just all depends on how the procedure goes.  For myself, I stayed out of work for 2 months, and probably should have went another month, as my stamina just wasn't quite up to par.  And I am fairly active.  So yeah, there are just so many factors that can affect recovery so the main thing to remember is to take it day by day, don't overdo it, and you should be on the road to a good recovery.  And try not to be too frustrated if your recovery isn't going as fast as you'd like... after all, you are having brain surgery! Good luck and keep us updated!
Jay

[Manders]

I kind of figured it would vary from person to person like Jay said. I'm hoping that since my tumor is fairly small and I'm young and in shape I'll have a quick recovery time too with no complications. It sounds like you all were able to get back up to where you were before surgery though even if it took different amounts of time. That's certainly encouraging!

[cindyj]

Hi, Manders and welcome!  Yes, as Jay says, everyone's recovery varies...but, the more fit you are prior to surgery (and it certainly sounds like you are), the better.  I, like Lynn, started doing Wii Fit at about 2 weeks post op, was back on the tennis court by about six weeks out and training for a 1/2 marathon not long after that...we have had folks who've done full marathons not long after surgery...Your youth will definitely be in your favor! 

Stick around and ask any other questions you may have - someone is bound to have an answer for you,

cindy

[staypoz]

Hi, Manders.  Ditto to the comments that everyone's experience is different.  You have several things in your favor regarding your recovery  -- your youth and the fact that you are so physically active.  Your dancing experience should hold you in good stead with your balance.  After my surgery,as part of my vestibular therapy, my physical therapist encouraged me to walk (not dance) through any dance patterns that I knew from my Scottish country dancing.  Those movements were hard-wired into my brain after so many years of doing them and being able to do walk-throughs after surgery helped me regain my sea-legs and confidence.  Good luck to you!!   

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Manders ~

You're young, fit and healthy so your recovery should be fairly rapid.  You'll probably find that your return to dancing will be incremental (too much exertion, too soon can result in debilitating fatigue) but time passes quickly and with your obvious motivation, you'll be up to (dancing) speed in no time, although you may have to make some accommodations along the way.

I was almost four decades older than you when I underwent my AN surgery (in 2006).  Although I was in relatively good physical condition (no medical issues - aside from the AN) and a fairly active (recent) retiree, I was no dancer.   My surgery ( and follow-up FSR ) went splendidly (no complications) and my recovery was reasonably swift.  Today, at 69, I'm still active - and doing great.  I can only imagine how well I would be doing were I 40 years younger and a Zumba dancer! 

[Manders]

This is basically what my doctor has been telling me but it's nice to hear it from people who have already gone through the surgery.
Cindy, I hope my recovery goes as smoothly as yours did--it sounds like you were able to get back up to speed really quickly. I've always wanted to try a 5k, so maybe that will be a new goal I set for myself after surgery. Speaking of, does anyone know if there are AN organizations that host 5ks? I'd definitely be interested in doing one!

[cindyj]

Yes, Manders, I did get back to being active pretty quickly - I believe it really did help with the wonkiness and, besides, tennis and other activities are just such fun!  However, I don't want you to think that it was a walk thru the park that first week or so post op...it wasn't.  I have had numerous surgeries and bounce back quickly each time, but this one really did throw me a bit...especially those first three days, which we say "don't count" around here.  But don't dwell on that, I just want you to know that you should definitely plan to get your active lifestyle back reasonably fast

Wish you the best,

cindy

[leapyrtwins]

You'll know when you are ready; your body will tell you.

Also, make sure you ask your doctor.

Jan