JD:
I had retrosigmoid surgery, like Jan, and had some balance problems post-op but was able to overcome them just by being relatively active. Well, active for a guy my age, I suppose. I don't ride a bicycle or run marathons but I do walk a lot, do all the usual stuff like wash the car (by hand) and routinely carry things, although I draw the line at much over 50 pounds. l handle just about all the housework, due to my wife's spinal problems and resultant physical limitations on bending, stooping and so on. I'm pretty fit (my BMI is 22) and I get out every day. So, normal physical activity isn't a problem but if I stumble and lose my balance I don't regain it as quickly as I once did. It takes me a step or two to regain my equilibrium. This is hardly an issue at it happens very infrequently and when it does, no one seems to notice.
To answer your question: Nothing can be guaranteed but if you want to play tennis, golf, etc post-op, I'm sure you'll do that. Barring some serious post-op complication, most AN surgery patients return to their former favorite physical activities. It may take a bit longer than you'd like but it will likely happen. I believe that the post-op patient's personal motivation to do things they want to do, like tennis, golf, running marathons, bike riding, etc. is a major factor in regaining the ability to do these things. Again, no one can absolutely guarantee that. I'm a bit dubious about whether one type of AN removal surgery is going to offer better recovery time for balance than another, but be that as it may, with no serious post-op complications and being otherwise healthy and motivated, I'm pretty confident that you'll be able to return to your favorite activities after your surgery. Just don't expect to do it in the first few weeks after the surgery and realize that you'll have to work up to doing what you used to do. That takes a bit of time and, certainly, patience but its certainly feasible for most post-op AN patients.
Jim
