... my question is, when can I get back on the bike, safely, comfortably?

My doctor's answer was along the lines of "Whenever it feels right", so I figured with as large a community as there is here, maybe a fellow commuter has had this (or a similar procedure) done and could give me a clue. Appreciate any help I can get

Six months ago I developed a sharp pain near one of my testicles, long story short, it wound up being a benign cyst. Doc was hesitant to operate (I'm 26, procedure partially sterilizes, and he thought there was a good chance it might heal on its own). Tried letting it heal on its own, tried taking high powered antibiotics, tried taking copious amounts of Ibuprofein. After 5 months nothing had worked.

Doc performed the procedure a week ago. No complications. But I'm still quite sore, and with ~1" of stitches.

Anyone with a similar operation (maybe a vasectomy, etc) able to give me a clue when I can get back on a bike seat? Sitting in a conventional chair is still a tender operation, so I know better than to hop on the bike and ride into work now... but how good is good enough? I don't want to have a "good day", hop on the bike the next morning to find out I've injured myself for another week...

I've been off the bike for over six months due to this, sitting on a bike seat was instant intense pain, now I'm itching to get back on the bike but I don't want to hit it too soon and either delay my recovery or cause additional injury to healing wounds.

Thanks guys (and sorry for TMI, ladies... I'm just glad my wife has put up with me the past week.)

philski

I've had the vasectomy operation. I was back on the bike in less than two weeks. Everyone is a little different in that area as far as pain and recovery. If everything is okay down there then you should be back riding in another two weeks or less. I tried it out carefully every other day or so and when it didn't feel like someone kicked me there, I rode.

Good luck.