Experiencing Prostate Surgery

I hadn’t slept much the night before surgery. Knowing I needed to be up and showered by 4:30 AM weighed heavily on my mind. Then, the thought of driving 45 minutes to reach the hospital by 5:30 AM sent all my internal alarms into overdrive. To make matters worse, I experienced an unexpected early morning moment while showering, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony and timing, realizing that this would be the “last one for the road” before I left my prostate and sex life behind at the surgery center.

Checking in at the hospital

After finding a solitary parking spot on the fourth floor of the garage, my wife and I navigated through a series of overpasses, only to encounter a long line at the security desk. Once my ID was verified, we received photo IDs and were directed to the admissions center.

We waited in that room for another thirty minutes until our names were called. Finally, after answering numerous questions about my health and insurance, I was officially processed, tagged, released with a wristband, given a stack of papers, and instructed to present them to someone at the nurse's station in the west wing on the third floor.

Preparing for the operation

Upon arrival, I felt disoriented, prompting a passing orderly to guide me down the right path. A smiling nurse greeted me, took my papers, and instructed me, “Leave your belongings here and follow me.” I stepped onto a scale and was asked when I last ate, and my blood pressure and oxygen levels were measured.

It seemed I passed the preliminary weigh-in, but I was informed that my blood pressure was quite high, which is not unheard of since patients often feel anxious about an upcoming surgery. I didn’t need a medical degree for that diagnosis. After that, we navigated through a series of hallways until I reached a set of large, locked doors labeled 'pre-op.'

Upon entering a curtained, enclosed room, I received instructions to undress down to my undershorts, put on an open-back smock, and wait on the gurney. Suddenly, a man dressed in blue surgical PJs showed up with a computer on a cart and once again asked my name and date of birth and verified that I am for real by checking my “catch & release” nametag wristband. He asked, “Why are you here?” To break my mounting anxiety, I answered saying, “I am here for a brain replacement - as I must be nuts to be here for prostate surgery.” I discovered his sense of humor was lacking.

A nurse appeared and stuck a needle in my arm, attached a tube, and encouraged me not to bend my arm. Something I had not planned on doing but more well-intentioned medical advice.

A waiting game

It was now 6:30 AM, and apparently, I learned I was next to enter surgery. I soon discovered that hospitals are places where time went to die. At 9:30 AM, I was still waiting. By 12:30 PM, hunger made an appearance, and I was given a plastic cup filled with ice shards. The combination of ice and a cool pre-op room earned me a warmed blanket. At 2:30 PM, I received a calming pill and apparently dozed off.

Finally, at 4:45 PM, just a short 12 hours after arriving at 5:30 AM, I was wheeled into surgery.

The surgery

I learned that while I technically was next in line for my surgeon, several other surgeons were in another line ahead of him. Upon entering the surgical suite, I was taken aback by the size of the robotic device positioned over the operating table.

I was instructed to move myself from the gurney to the table. An unknown, silent masked person began to adjust the tube in my arm, and the next thing I knew, it was 10:30 PM. I opened my eyes to see my wife, telling me the surgery lasted over five hours and that all went well.

I apparently dozed off, and at 2:30 AM, a nurse woke me in a darkened room and asked when I wanted to take a walk. I said now and managed to get out of bed. I was stiff and sore but able to navigate. I was cautioned not to look down as I walked, but being male, I naturally looked down. Fortunately, the safety harness around my waist, held by two nurses, prevented my fall.

Post-surgery and recovery

At 9 AM, yet another nurse came and removed a very long drain tube from my side while offering suggestions on catheter care and more. By 11:30 AM, I was on my way home.

On day one of recovery, I experienced only minor pain, but I slept in a recliner in the living room on the first floor. By day two, I could climb up to the second-floor bedroom. On day ten, the catheter was removed, and four weeks later, I was riding my bike 20 miles a day, several days a week. While personal experiences may vary, almost every man in my support group of 20+ participants has reported similar outcomes.

My thoughts to anyone facing prostate surgery is that the actual surgical experience may be easier than anticipated. With that said, everyone's experience varies.