Surgery tomorrow

MK1965

Hi all, 

my surgery for radical prostatectomy robotic assisted is scheduled for November 2nd at 7:30am CDT.

it is about 9 hours until surgery commenc. I am doing my bowel prep now and will take few hours of sleep.

i feel very anxious about surgery and recovery but I am positive I have chosen right treatment for my prostate Ca.

Diagnosed ni August with Gleason 7 (4+3) 1 core positive out of 12. Had TURP surgery on June 1st when incidentally diagnosed with prostate Ca Gleason 6.

Read a lot about other patie experience and post op recover. 

Preared for the worst but hope for the best.

Will see how it will go after I wake up from anesthesi.

MK

Bill91101

MK,

MK,

Hope all goes well!  I'll think positive thoughts for you.

Stay strong,

Bill

hopeful and optimistic

.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and the best for you.

h

VascodaGama

.

Hope the procedure is eventless and that you mange to get rid of the bandit.

Best,

VG

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

DaVinci

Bless your proceedure.  May the pathology report be all good news.

You studied and researched a lot and made the right decision for you -- a process that is never easy or clear-cut.

max

DaVinci, Dec 2014

Swingshiftworker

Good luck!

Good luck!

mrdcb

I'm sure all will go well. I

I'm sure all will go well. I am considering same surgery. Keep the board current on your recovery. Have a Gleason score 7, 3+4 with cancer present in 8 of 12 cores. Doctor says I'm a good candidate for surgery or radiation. Still unsure as to what will give me the best quality of life after treatment and recovery. Radiologist tells me radiation is likely in the future after surgery. I need to discuss this with the surgeon as surgery is not recommended after radiation treatments. 

Hoping you have a swift recovery.

hopeful and optimistic

mrdcb

If you wish, you can start a new thread, in order to receive inputs for your situation, that you may find useful. Doing this will avoid infrigment to the current thread.

Best to you

Clevelandguy

Good luck

Hi,

 

Good luck with the robotic surgery, had mine about 2 years ago.  The catheter is the worst part about the recovery that I found.  Do your Keigals when the doctor give you the green light, they did help me.

Dave

3+4

Will Doran

Good Luck

MK1965,

Good Luck with your recovery.  Stay as active as your doctors will allow.  Your physical condition is very important in your recovery. 

I had robotic surgery three years ago, and my PSA went from 69 (with a Gleason of 7--3+4), when diagnosed, down to <0.010 in 4 or so months months.  My PSA has remained at undetectable levels for three years.  I had 8 weeks of Radiation and was on Lupron for two full years, as follow up treatment.  This is a hard fight, but don't get discouraged.  Do as your doctors tell you and fight like "H".  I went to Physical Therapy after a period of time, for bladder control.  I still do those exercises (kegels) as I was instructed.  All of that has helped. 

Best of Luck for a speedy recovery and healthy future.

Love, Peace and God Bless

Will 

MK1965

My recovery

Want to thank everyone for best wishes and encouragemends.

Had my surgery on November 2nd. Went to OR as planned at 07:30 and was in recovery room around 12:45. Surgery took longer than planned. Once awaken was visited by my wife and daughte. Surgeon told my wife that everything went well but took more time to complete because of TURP which I had on June 1st.

stayed in recovery room until 5:15p when I was taken to my room. Fist post op night was okay with a lots of pain meds. 

Thursday, November 3rd, my POD#1 was painful but tolerable with scheduled pain meds. I was on continuous I V fluid, try to eat something but I lost my appetite and taste. I walk in the hallways 3x that day pushing IV pump in front of me and having my catheter bag attached to the base of IV pump. My belly was very painful and distended an my JP was having good output thruout  day. Was not able to pass the gas.

Next day, November 4th, POD#2  was rough and more painful with pain harder to control. Was having bad belly pain and distinction to the point that I could barely breath while sitting and standing or walking. Position with least of pain was supine in bed. Used religiously incentive spirometer to improve my lungs function but w/o much success. Continued to walk around nursing station. Eat very little without any appetite and feeling of any taste.

Was able to pass the gas in the afternoon and was discharged home around 5:30p. Asked for pain med just before leaving hospital for smoother ride home.

Saturday and Sunday November 5&6 while at home, I had very bad abdominal pains, cramps and stabbing pains all weekend long when ch very hard to control with Norco. I tried to skip half of the times taking it only twic instead  4x. It was terribly painful to move around change position, sitting in chair Pain was all the time around 8 or 9.

Had my first BM on Saturday and was hoping that will improve my pain but it did not happened. While having stabbing sensations on my right side of abdomen, I was screemin in pain.

Sunday was not any better and I told to my wife Sunday evening I regretted having surgery. I suffered more pain after surgery than in whole my life. I had multiple surgical procedures before prostatectomy but last one was far the worst. Never expected to suffer so much pain because robotic prostatectomy was described as least invasive procedure. I do not think open would be any worst?

I had option to go with radiation and I am positive suffering would not be anything like robotic surgery.

Catheter is not problem for me because I dont feeling that catheter is present at all. This might mean that my genital  area is dead. When I had TURP in June and catheter in for 9 days, that bothered me a lot on that time.

Today, November 7th, POD#5, I felt I little less pain but still lots of pain in my right side of abdomen. Called my urologist nurse and only advice was to use max prescribed pain meds.

Got appointment for catheter removal on Thursday November 10.

To summarize my experience in one sentence: Very rough and extremely painful post op time.

Would never go with surgery for the same problem, PCa.

If 2 treatment choices are giving same results, would be wise to choose lesser evil from two.

Maybe this is just me.

MK

 

 

Old Salt

All the best

Thanks for the detailed report. Sorry to read about the nasty aftermath of the surgery. It appears that you were hit especially hard!

Hopefully, the next few days will get (much) better.

PS: How experienced was your surgeon?

hopeful and optimistic

MK1965 said:

My recovery

Want to thank everyone for best wishes and encouragemends.

Had my surgery on November 2nd. Went to OR as planned at 07:30 and was in recovery room around 12:45. Surgery took longer than planned. Once awaken was visited by my wife and daughte. Surgeon told my wife that everything went well but took more time to complete because of TURP which I had on June 1st.

stayed in recovery room until 5:15p when I was taken to my room. Fist post op night was okay with a lots of pain meds. 

Thursday, November 3rd, my POD#1 was painful but tolerable with scheduled pain meds. I was on continuous I V fluid, try to eat something but I lost my appetite and taste. I walk in the hallways 3x that day pushing IV pump in front of me and having my catheter bag attached to the base of IV pump. My belly was very painful and distended an my JP was having good output thruout  day. Was not able to pass the gas.

Next day, November 4th, POD#2  was rough and more painful with pain harder to control. Was having bad belly pain and distinction to the point that I could barely breath while sitting and standing or walking. Position with least of pain was supine in bed. Used religiously incentive spirometer to improve my lungs function but w/o much success. Continued to walk around nursing station. Eat very little without any appetite and feeling of any taste.

Was able to pass the gas in the afternoon and was discharged home around 5:30p. Asked for pain med just before leaving hospital for smoother ride home.

Saturday and Sunday November 5&6 while at home, I had very bad abdominal pains, cramps and stabbing pains all weekend long when ch very hard to control with Norco. I tried to skip half of the times taking it only twic instead  4x. It was terribly painful to move around change position, sitting in chair Pain was all the time around 8 or 9.

Had my first BM on Saturday and was hoping that will improve my pain but it did not happened. While having stabbing sensations on my right side of abdomen, I was screemin in pain.

Sunday was not any better and I told to my wife Sunday evening I regretted having surgery. I suffered more pain after surgery than in whole my life. I had multiple surgical procedures before prostatectomy but last one was far the worst. Never expected to suffer so much pain because robotic prostatectomy was described as least invasive procedure. I do not think open would be any worst?

I had option to go with radiation and I am positive suffering would not be anything like robotic surgery.

Catheter is not problem for me because I dont feeling that catheter is present at all. This might mean that my genital  area is dead. When I had TURP in June and catheter in for 9 days, that bothered me a lot on that time.

Today, November 7th, POD#5, I felt I little less pain but still lots of pain in my right side of abdomen. Called my urologist nurse and only advice was to use max prescribed pain meds.

Got appointment for catheter removal on Thursday November 10.

To summarize my experience in one sentence: Very rough and extremely painful post op time.

Would never go with surgery for the same problem, PCa.

If 2 treatment choices are giving same results, would be wise to choose lesser evil from two.

Maybe this is just me.

MK

 

 

I hope that there will be

I hope that there will be smooth sailing from now on for you.............Best

VascodaGama

Your recovery

I have not heard from RRP guys such experience of lasting pain in the days following surgery. It could be due to an infection. The liquid accumulated in the inner cavity must be drained totally and that could be causing pain if blocked. I wonder if they took off the draining tubes too earlier. I read of some guys having pain due to the clamps left behind. Did the nurse inform the doctor when you called to report the pain, or did she just tell you the obvious "take pain killers" (disregarding any critical issue)?
I had open surgery and never experienced pain. Not even a fraction. IV pain killers were drawn on my second day. Walking was good to force the intestines action and expel gazes (which may be a source for pain too).

I hope the problem has improved by now and that the PSA readings make you smile and provide you with a deserved peace of mind.

Best wishes for complete recovery in the "continence and sexual" departments.

VG

Clevelandguy

Sorry to hear

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your first few days after Robotic surgery, sounds like you are getting better.  I had robotic surgery a couple if years ago with a very small amount of pain(did not even use the prescribed pain meds). To VG's comment about the drain tube, they took mine out right before I went home the next day after surgery which surprised me.  Felt very wierd & kinda painfull when the pulled it out.   I would think that the catheter should bother you, I know my did.  I know it will take time to heal from surgery but be sure and tell your doctor to investigate the right side pain.  Good luck and keep us informed.

 

Dave 

3+4

Clevelandguy

Not feeling better

Hi MK,

If you do not feel any better six days after surgery then you might need to go back to the doctor to get checked out.  I know I improved every day just a little but there was marked progress.  Be aggressive with your doctor and make sure your concerns are answered, remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease.  I noticed in another post that you had six cuts for a total of around 24 cm's.  I had five cuts that added up to around 12cm's total.  Hope your feeling better.

Dave

3+4

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

MK1965 said:

My recovery

Thanks to all who replied. 

My JP drain was pulled out on 2nd post op day at 3:30 pm so it was draining for about 52 hrs continosly. Second day was not draining as much as it was after surgery and 1st post op day. Pulling JP drain was not overly painful but because of vacuum after drain as being pulled, I had a feeling my intestines are being pulled out.

Woke up an hour ago (Tuesday morning, Election Day) and sitting in my recliner while drink my esspresso coffee.

Still have a pain in my right abdominal side with some type of cramping pain or pulling pain that goes in all 360* degreess. Was not satisfied with nurse call to increase Norco intake up to max prescribed.

I can't believe that according to my surgeon "the least invasive surgery is robotic assisted" still put me thru a lot of painful experiences that I do see end for my pain. At post op day #6 I do not feel much better if at all.

Just to say, I am in excellent physical shape. I am running regularly with my Labrador , going to gym, and very much involved with soccer officiating lots of youths soccer games. I am 6'2" and weighing 210 lbs.

I even increased excercise before surgery to be better prepared and to easy my recovery.

Symply said: Totaly disappointed with robotic surgery.

MK

Different

MK,

My post-DaVinci experience was quite different from yours. Pain not too bad the day after the proceedure, and not taking anything but Advil within three days.

The numbness you describe will pass/clear up; I did experience that as well. It may take a month or so to regain feeling in the pelvic region, but all has returned to normal for me, even full sexual ability, without drugs.  But I was DEAD down there for several months, so do not lose hope.

It sounds like your experience is on the fringe of what is ordinarily reported here post-DaVinci, but someone has to have worse-than-usual experiences, and i am sorry that it is you.

Interested in your pathology report.

max

MK1965

Old Salt said:

All the best

Thanks for the detailed report. Sorry to read about the nasty aftermath of the surgery. It appears that you were hit especially hard!

Hopefully, the next few days will get (much) better.

PS: How experienced was your surgeon?

When asked my surgeon about

When asked my surgeon about numbers he said he performed 300 robotic surgeries including those as a resident. I could not find more experienced surgeon in the group of urologist covered by my insurance.

I took what was available because I wanted robotic surgery WHICH apparently was HUGE MISTAKE THAT PUT ME THRU VERY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE.

Would never again choose robotic surgery.

MK

MK1965

VascodaGama said:

Your recovery

I have not heard from RRP guys such experience of lasting pain in the days following surgery. It could be due to an infection. The liquid accumulated in the inner cavity must be drained totally and that could be causing pain if blocked. I wonder if they took off the draining tubes too earlier. I read of some guys having pain due to the clamps left behind. Did the nurse inform the doctor when you called to report the pain, or did she just tell you the obvious "take pain killers" (disregarding any critical issue)?
I had open surgery and never experienced pain. Not even a fraction. IV pain killers were drawn on my second day. Walking was good to force the intestines action and expel gazes (which may be a source for pain too).

I hope the problem has improved by now and that the PSA readings make you smile and provide you with a deserved peace of mind.

Best wishes for complete recovery in the "continence and sexual" departments.

VG

Before surgery I looked and

Before surgery I looked and read huge number of other people experience with and after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy just to get a clue about what to expect. Most of patients I would say 90+% were pleased with robotic surgery and VERY to fairly easy recovery. I do not know what happened to me but my post op days were rough and extremely painful.

Today, I am scheduled for catheter removal and will see what my continence level will be?

MK

 

MK1965

My recovery

Thanks to all who replied. 

My JP drain was pulled out on 2nd post op day at 3:30 pm so it was draining for about 52 hrs continosly. Second day was not draining as much as it was after surgery and 1st post op day. Pulling JP drain was not overly painful but because of vacuum after drain as being pulled, I had a feeling my intestines are being pulled out.

Woke up an hour ago (Tuesday morning, Election Day) and sitting in my recliner while drink my esspresso coffee.

Still have a pain in my right abdominal side with some type of cramping pain or pulling pain that goes in all 360* degreess. Was not satisfied with nurse call to increase Norco intake up to max prescribed.

I can't believe that according to my surgeon "the least invasive surgery is robotic assisted" still put me thru a lot of painful experiences that I do see end for my pain. At post op day #6 I do not feel much better if at all.

Just to say, I am in excellent physical shape. I am running regularly with my Labrador , going to gym, and very much involved with soccer officiating lots of youths soccer games. I am 6'2" and weighing 210 lbs.

I even increased excercise before surgery to be better prepared and to easy my recovery.

Symply said: Totaly disappointed with robotic surgery.

MK

MK1965

Incontinece

My catheter was removed on November 10th. Ever since catheter removal I have constant urinary incontinece. Leaking constantly and soaking pad after pad and pull ups. Today, a week after catheter remova, I do not see any change. I am going thru 7-8 pads and 2 pull ups. The least leakage I have when lying flat in bed. I started Kegels after catheter was removed and I was doing them for a month prior to surgery.

I hate being wet down ther. It is awkward feelin. I am blessed to be working from home othherw I feel comfortable sharing office with someone. I am not going out of house because I feel everybody knows and see me wearing pads and pull ups. This is very hard emotionall toll on me. 

My wife is very supportive and encouraging person and is always on my side.

This situation is very stressful. I wish I never had surgery. That was big mistake on my side.