I herniated my L4/L5 spinal disk back in August and had a laminectomy performed yesterday. I'm now off my bike for 6 weeks to recover. I'll be walking as much as I can, focusing on no weight gain, trying to build my upper body a little bit, but 6 weeks is a long time for me to not ride.

Any suggestions on how to use this time most productively?

I had a herniorrhaphy 11 days ago and am supposed to stay off for 6 weeks also. Before the surgery I really just let myself go and ate tons of junk food mainly due to stress, severe pain, and well, honestly, fear and ended up gaining a few. I justify it by knowing I'll work it all off pretty quickly as soon as I'm myself again.

Anyway, post surgery I've been eating healthy which is important for the healing process and basically just laying on my backside watching movies until I go back to work (took two weeks off, really helped alot). Everywhere you read and everyone you ask will suggest walking as much as possible.

Just take it easy and enjoy your time off if you want, a little break every now and then is healthy.

Netflix

There's always internet Poker!

I feel bad for all you guys. I went 8 days without my bike and hated every bit of it. I can't imagine 6 weeks without. Can you do some core exercises?

I don't know if you'll be able to, but I found chair boxing very easy, fun, and a good workout when done in a good routine. I couldn't ride for 2 months due to my knees, and still am not able to run although its been 9 months, but one of the most fun exercises through it all has been chair boxing, especially if you have a punching bag. I don't know if you can do that with a back surgery, but if you can, I highly recommend it.

A smooth, low impact walk is a great way to stay fit. Chi Walking is a low impact style that can keep your fitness level up. Believe me, walking a 10 minute mile requires a high fitness level and to maintain that effort for a half marathon distance is equivalent to a 22+mph average for 2 hours on the bike.

I had 8 weeks of no biking, low impact walking exercise while wearing a neck collar for a cracked C-6 then had my neurosurgeon tell me the crack was healed but now I had compression/slippage issues with C-5/C-6/C-7 and another 8 weeks of the collar 24/7. Again the only thing I could do was walk for fear of paralysis. If you're serious about staying fit and you can walk, this is a great way to do so.

What did I do after surgery?…Gained 14lbs… GRRRRRR

How long did it take for you to work it back off after your recovery?

What to do while recovering from surgery?

Internet porn and Cheetos

I did a lot of walking I was not fast at it but I was out of the house doing something

Mahjong!

About 3 weeks... Since it came off quick it was mainly water retention.

I had the same surgery in 2002, same level, L4/L5. I recovered quickly with little residual sciatic pain. First, listen to your doc. If your injury and surgery was like mine, sitting and bending at the waist is difficult at first, so walking is the easiest form of exercise. It will strengthen your core and improve your range of motion. After a couple of weeks, you may be able to swim which will help cardio. Since I live in the snow belt, I also was able to cross country ski on the flats within 3 weeks of surgery (be careful not to fall). If you live near hiking trails with elevation changes that will help also.

Watch your caloric intake. Your metabolism is burning way less than when you were riding.

I would be really careful of upper body workouts unless you can use a machine that does not place any load on your back!

When you do begin riding again, you may have to raise your stem to limit your bending. Gradually, your flexibility will return. Hopefully to it's orginal state.

You will be surprised how fast you will recover.

Stay positive and enjoy the pain relief.

Listen to your doctor.

Go to the gym and use the recumbent bike. I've always found some sort of endurance related exercise to do while injured. I also do tons of intervals on whatever machine I'm on while injured. As someone stated above, relaxing and enjoying the break is a great alternative. The rub - many can only pretend that they enjoy the time off at best and at worst lose there sanity. Good luck - HaHa

drink beer.

Seriously though, I broke BOTH wrists in a cycling accident and I was off the bike for 4 months, and then it was November and too cold to really get back into it so I really waited until spring. While I still had the casts on I'd do walks on the same loop that I frequently ride, see some of the same people I'd usually see while riding, and at least feel like I'm still part of the cycling crowd. But that was just wrists, it didn't impact the rest of my body so I was pretty free to do that.

Rest. Let your body heal. You are not a pro cyclist with big money at stake. Are U?

You bet I am! Perhaps you recognize my photo...



Seriously though, walking is what my ortho encourages. No cycling of any kind due to the flexation of the spine likely causing scar tissue. It has been amazing that I was able to ride regularly for up to 3 hours or so without much problem since my injury. I couldn't walk, but I felt quite good on my bike. Now, since the surgery I stand straight and am able to walk fairly comfortably, and I get to wear a fancy corset to stabilize my spine.

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

Read books, watch movies and eat lots of popcorn. Sometimes a break ain't so bad.