Partial robotic nephrectomy in two days

RadRuck

Hi everyone,

In two days, I’m scheduled for a partial robotic nephrectomy to remove a 3cm mass that my doctors are confident is cancer. I’ve come to terms with the diagnosis, and until recently, I felt relatively at peace about the surgery. But over the past few days, my anxiety has really crept in—especially about potential post-op complications.

Has anyone here gone through this procedure and had a relatively smooth recovery?

I’m definitely spiraling a bit right now.

Thanks,

OC

swags92

I had a partial nephrectomy it was robotic. I was in the hospital for 2 nights went home on the 3rd day. My recovery went very smooth. I was back to work 2 weeks later.

Bay Area Guy

Hi Rad. Just saw your post as I've been out of the country for a month.

I had a robotic partial in 2016. I went into the hospital (Stanford) at 1230PM on the day of the surgery. I was released the next day at 2PM, so 25-1/2 hours in the hospital. The surgery itself took about three hours (I'm told). It was in the late afternoon, so I was still groggy when they woke me in the recovery room and had me stand a few minuted (well, groggy and more than a bit testy at waking up). I slept well and ate a decent breakfast the next morning. Saw most of the surgical team around 8, had the catheter removed (which, to me, was the worst part) and was told that the only thing keeping me from being released was peeing. So I walked around a little, and peed around 9AM. The surgeon himself made an appearance around 10, told me everything looked really good, so I could go home. Normal delays and paperwork conspired to get me out at 2.

Recovery was pretty easy for me. I had little to no pain. I walked every day, and tried to walk a little longer each day. I waited for about three months before venturing back to the gym and took resistance training slowly to make sure nothing strange would happen.

You'll do great!

RadRuck

Thanks guys! One week post surgery today. Pain became really managable after day 3. That shoulder pain was worse than the incision pain. Walking really has help, but I think I over did it today. The only weird side effect is my heart rate is about 15 beats lower than before surgery.