Open Surgery Questions.

ken41

Due to circumstances I have elected open surgery on July 17th (See my web page) I am 65 and in fair health. PSA was 7.6 at last test and biopsy reveals cancer in both lobes exceeding 30%. Bone scan and CT Scan seem to indicate it has not spread as yet. I have consulted with two urologists and both agree that surgery is indicated. I have also done a lot of research on the internet and agree. I would really like to hear from some that have gone through this procedure. I am looking for hints and helps and, yes, encouragement, especially since my wife is in poor health.

kalar7856

Hi Ken 41,

I had the open surgery in 01-04. The new robotic procedures cause much less trauma. Even if you need to travel to find a surgeon you should give it serious thought. I recovered well and have a totally normal life.

You should be extremely hopeful!

Ron C

rogermoore

Ken,

Welcome to our little club no one wants to belong to. Although I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I am glad you discovered this web site.

I am a 6 1/2 yr survivor of the traditional RP performed in 2001. I had my surgery performed at the Vanderbilt Clinc in Nashville. This was prior to the development and "fine-tuning" of the Da-vinci robotic procedure.

Keep in mind that the trauma of my type of surgery is more than that of the more recent robotic. Even at that I had surgery on Thursday, and was released to travel 250 miles home in a car on Sunday. I did not have to take a pain pill once I left the hospital and returned to my management position within 3 weeks. Although my movement was somewhat restricted by the catheter (for 10days) I was fully mobile and walking (although gingerly) as soon as I got home.

Erections resumed within the first three weeks and sexual activities were back to normal within a month.

Overall, the surgery and recovery was very moderate and I strongly recommend that course of action.

The one suggestion I would emphasize is that you research the choice of Dr. (I think the robotic procedure is the only choice) and don't let the distance deter you from being totally confident with your selection of surgeons.

Best of luck with your surgery and please don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions you might feel uncomfortable in posting. Keep us posted.

Roger

Photon

Hi Ken

I have read your web page and my best wishes go out to both you and your wife.

I see from the web page that you cannot travel to have a laproscopic or robotic procedure therefore I conclude that you are having a conventional RP. I live in the UK so we are a bit third world in comparison to the US. Your surgeon is likely to be more experienced and reduce the side effects, time in hospital and the pain. However you will come out with a catheter and that will last about 14 to 21 days and will restrict your physical activities. I was not allowed to drive or do any heavy lifting or ironing during that period - I was at the time a bachelor. Like Roger I went back to work after 4 weeks but it was once again management. Given that your dear lady cannot manage strenuous work I would advise getting someone in to help you. You will also need a taxi or your Daughter to drive home after the op. Please do your Kegel(pelvic floor) exercises before you go in for the op and then once the catheter is removed resume them they help with incontinence. Mine cleared up after 3 months but I still get stress incontinence when I sneeze. However my muscle tone has always been generally poor.

My best wishes for the future and there is a good future.

jgoodness

I had my prostrate removed 2 weeks ago today. I am 61 years old and in good health other wise. They had me walking around the hospital the day after my operation. I have had no pain medication since I have no pain.Tomorrow they take out my catherer and we will see how that works. Good luck to you. There is nothing to fear. My wife was home to take care of me for the first weekend than I've done it myself since she has to work.

ken41

Thanks a lot for all the encouragement. I have managed to talk to a few locals that have had open prostate surgery and am greatly encouraged. As I said in the original post travel is not an option for me and I seemed to have picked the right Dr., can't help but think there was some divine intervention. God Bless.

fcatroneo

ken41 said:

Thanks a lot for all the encouragement. I have managed to talk to a few locals that have had open prostate surgery and am greatly encouraged. As I said in the original post travel is not an option for me and I seemed to have picked the right Dr., can't help but think there was some divine intervention. God Bless.

Ken, I am sure everything will be fine. I had my RP on 12/27/06. This is my first surgery ever in my life. It was nothing. I took pain med's the first day and that was it. Unfortunately, I had the catheder for 10 days......it did not hurt, it was just uncomfortable. I am 60 years old. I have not had any problems with incontinence or ED. I am doing great. There is life after PC.

Good luck and God Bless. Keep us survivers updated on your progress. Take care.

fcatroneo

ken41 said:

Thanks a lot for all the encouragement. I have managed to talk to a few locals that have had open prostate surgery and am greatly encouraged. As I said in the original post travel is not an option for me and I seemed to have picked the right Dr., can't help but think there was some divine intervention. God Bless.

Ken, I am sure everything will be fine. I had my RP on 12/27/06. This is my first surgery ever in my life. It was nothing. I took pain med's the first day and that was it. Unfortunately, I had the catheder for 10 days......it did not hurt, it was just uncomfortable. I am 60 years old. I have not had any problems with incontinence or ED. I am doing great. There is life after PC.

Good luck and God Bless. Keep us survivers updated on your progress. Take care.

Bamfam

Ken - had RP on 3/29/07 by choice. I'm 54. Up walking the next morning - home after two nights. Had cathater for 10 days.

Surgery is not a big deal. Cathater is a challenge but managable - its more of an irritant than painful.

Its 9 weeks afterwards -- still dealing with incontentenace - but its getting better. Had first psa test last week -- good results - "near zero"

Really no surgical pain -- went back to work in a month PT, then FT a week later.

Find a good doc - one that has done many many RPs. Ask a ton of questions -- you'll be OK

Please post back and let us know how you are doing

Bob

Bamfam

Ken -- just visited your web page.
Regarding pain -- as a few of us said -- its not that bad. I used pain pills for about 5 days - at the end mostly at night. This won't be that much of a problem.

If your doc is doing that many RPs - you surely picked a good one. The scar is only about 6" or so.

Got up the stairs the night I got home -- but went up and down sideways! Follow the prep advice as you'll be in no shape to use the facilties after the RP!!

I'm not a doc -- but if they are doing the RP they feel it will work. A friend had PSA of 8 - doc wasnt sure but did the RP - he needed radiation afterwards - but he's fine now -- 8 1/2 yrs later!

We'll be praying for you -- keep us advised.

Bob

uhwah

Hi, I had lapo-surgery without the robot and was released from the hospital on the day after no pain,no cath. problems 14 day removal,returned to work 2.5 weeks post surgery maintenance man at a helmet factory..lifting limited to 10 pounds but feel great wish you the very best please keep us informed on your progress..May God Bless You

bigd48

I had da Vinci laproscopic surgery 1/10/06. I elected to go da Vinci due to the quick recovery time, as opposed to the traditional surgery. Things can happen, be aware. I was in surgery for 5.5 hours. Prostate was the size of a small grapefruit. That night, I had a bladder spasm that sent me through the roof. Elected to spend 1 more night in the hospital, just because I was exhausted from the pain. I had the catheter for only 1 week, completely healed. But, at that time I discovered I had developed blood clots in both lungs (can happen from the long surgery). In the hospital another 10 days recovering from the clots. Having said all this, I would not do anything differently. My PSA is < 1.0. I'm fine otherwise, except for ED. Still working on that aspect. I don't mean to scare with all this, I just want you to be aware that things can happen. I still believe that the surgery is usually a piece of cake. Good luck, take care, check back here often.