Robotic assist prostate surgery
I previously asked the question of any advice for getting ready for this surgery. I got one kind of non reply from Dennis. So I am asking again for advice from men who have gone through this surgery and possibly what to expect. Please only respond as a former patient and not as an administrator who can’t give advice.
Today is the 3 year anniversary since I did the dance with Davinci Robotic Surgery. My preparation was through extensive research and discussing it with fellow survivors. The surgery itself is well documented, the surgeon wants you on your feet walking within hours of waking up. A week with a catheter and urine bag. Fortunately the catheter was external through my stomach wall. Work on Kegels, your diet, and follow the surgeon's recovery instructions. I documented in my book The Prostate Chronicles, A Medical Memoir (Amazon Books and Kindle). Every individual has a different experience so it's not guaranteed that one won't have bladder leakage issues and of course ED, Address these with your surgeon. Praying for a successful surgery and recovery. Bob Tierno, Moderator , ProstateCancer.net
I (age 62 and in good shape) tried to keep up regular exercise and started doing kegel exercises ahead. Surgery in the morning lasted 6 hours and they did not try to get me up on my feet until the next morning. Surprised how much pain I had in my shoulders, by far worse than anything else. Surgeon said it was due to gas they pump you up with to help with the surgery and it puts pressure on your rib cage and that effects nerves, something like that. Home the next evening and trying to use pain meds sparingly but needed them. That next morning getting out of bed was really painful and my wife had to help me up. On the third day I tried cannabis for the pain as I was not liking the narcotic side effects and worried about constipation. I didn't really believe it but some one gave me some so tried it and really surprised it worked BETTER than the oxycodone. It was only about 5 or 6 days that the pain was a problem. That first week was much harder than I expected but better after that one week mark where they took out the catheter and I was driving then. Next few weeks were still hard because had to slowly start up diet and watch the physical activity and felt like I had been run over by a bus. It was a month or so before I really got back to feeling normal again but all is fine since. It's been 8 months and the ED is the only issue I have but managing with injections and waiting/hoping for improvement.
I can't answer as a "former" patient but will try to remember to post again in a week or so when I will qualify!
Classed as NCCN Unfavorable-Intermediate, GS 4+3, I am having a robotic single port prostatectomy, BPLND, and bladder neck suspension this coming Wednesday (9/15/21) which happens also to be one of my sons' 40th birthday!
I decided on this course of action over IMRT+ADT for a variety of reasons.
As with any surgery, I think the key is finding a surgeon who is recognised as a leader in the field and who has done this procedure hundreds, preferably thousands, of times.
Another issue is preparing well in advance - have a pelvic floor physical therapist guide you with regard to kegels. I would like to have started at least 4 weeks ahead but because my surgery date came sooner than anticipated I will have just two weeks of kegels under my belt (pun intended).
Being slim, fit, having a healthy diet, and otherwise in good health is most likely advantageous, so anything you can do in this regard would seem to make sense. At age 72, I'm 5'10", 146lbs, reasonably active, no meds other than a preventative asthma inhaler (Symbicort).
There's useful information on robotic procedure and outcomes in Dr Patrick Walsh' book 'Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer'.
Again, I'll try to follow up in a week or two. Good luck with your procedure.old_codger Just a quick update - I had my DaVinci robotic surgery on the morning of 9/15; the catheter was removed the afternoon of 9/20. It is now 9/23, and although I am still using pads "just in case" I have been blessed with close to full continence from the get-go. I had slight leakage on the afternoon / evening of 9/20, but was totally dry that night, and every night since. At most, there has been barely a drop or two of urine on the pad during 9/21 and 9/22 daytime hours. I'm thankful for the robotic single port technology, the outstanding skill of my surgeon, and the guidance of a physical therapist ahead of surgery. I believe these factors were the primary keys to my good fortune, and were supported by diligent preparation (kegels, diet, weight management, & fitness).
I will try to provide additional feedback on other aspects of this procedure during the days ahead.
We appreciate your update, old_codger! It's great to hear that you're doing well. Diligent preparation seems to always go a long way with procedures. You have my best wishes for continued progress. Keep us posted, we always appreciate these updates. -Samuel, Team Member
* massive bloating pressure in stomach after waking up from surgery ===> apparently this is normal but it took me a good 12-24 hours to get over it. Made me feel like I had to have a bowl movement which is absolutely impossible right after surgery so don't even try it.
* lots of blood around catheter ===> no one told me to expect that but its normal
* massive shrinkage ===> normal, temporary
* keep moving, don't lay in bed all day,, but you can binge watch a 12 hour TV series without having to go to bathroom to take a leak (that's one benefit of of a catheter)
* in hindsight I probably would have installed a bar or something from ceiling to make it easier to move around in bed. First 3-4 days feels like the worst ab workout you have ever had - x's 10. getting out of bed, or turning side to side was difficult for me; but I had to do it with out prescription pain meds so I'm assuming it would have been much easier with them.
* make sure dog doesn't get catheter bag
