Post surgery supplies and planning events after surgery

slowmotion57

I’m a 68 year old newcomer to this group. I am scheduled to have my prostate removed via robot assisted surgery on March 12. What urinary incontinence supplies would the group suggest I have on hand for the early part of my post-surgery recovery period?

While I want to be optimistic about incontinence issues after my surgery, I don’t want to be unrealistic either. I need to schedule cataract surgery this year and would like to get it done sooner rather than later. Any suggestions on how long I should wait to schedule this after the prostate surgery?

I would also like to at least think about a family vacation with my wife, son, daughter and grandchildren. I don’t have to be involved in the daily activities but would be happy staying at our rental looking at the beach or the mountains while others are out and about. Some travel, probably by car, would be involved. Any suggestions on how far in the future I should wait to schedule something like that?

I realize everyone’s experience is different, but I thought this group might be able to give me some realistic input on these items. Thanks for your help.

Wheel

Slowmotion57

Good luck. I was 70 turning 71. I was well prepared with supplies also from mens pads and diaper depends not knowing what to expect when the catheter came out. You can review a post last month on my catheter tips and when it came out and tips I used. Three days after my catheter was out I was on a 2 hour drive. I did make sure not to drink anything for a couple hours before the drive to have an empty bladder and started drinking some water about 30 minutes before arriving. Also very short time later on a plane.

Josephg

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/330024/post-surgery-supplies-and-planning-events-after-surgery

It is good to be out in front of post-surgery considerations, but on the other hand, don't try to overthink it too much.

I was up and around on the 2nd day after surgery (slowly and carefully), and working (remotely on a PC) on my 3rd day after surgery. For the first 2 weeks post-surgery, your attached catheter will control a good part of your actions, but once removed, you will be free to do just about anything, that does not involve strenuous activity. I would suggest limiting yourself to local activities for 6 weeks post-surgery, but after that, IMO, you are free to do whatever you want, whenever you want, and wherever you want.

Regarding incontinence considerations, I recommend that you get yourself a big box of Depends and start wearing them every day post-catheter, until you have the opportunity to fully assess your incontinence situation and its evolution. This takes incontinence concerns right out of the equation during this transition period. There is no stigma to wearing Depends, unless you yourself want to make it a stigma. You are no less a Man to wear full Depends, versus wearing pads. As your healing process continues and your Kegels start to show tangible results, then you can start to consider wearing something less than full Depends, and logically transition into something else that matches your incontinence situation at that time.

I wish you the best of outcomes on your PCa journey.

TurtBean

Hi SloMo, welcome.

I had my prostate removed in January (59yo). For supplies, I bought the lot - briefs, guards, those big pads that can go on a seat, a mattress liner, baby wipes, and barrier gel (to prevent a rash developing).

The bigger pads have been handy for general peace of mind (I have one on the sofa) and for those times when I want to give things a bit of fresh air - I can sit on one of those and the drip drip drip isn’t an issue.

For daily and overnight wear, I go with a guard inside a brief and just change out the guard as needed. The guard alone leaks a little if I’m wearing regular underwear, so the brief is a safety net. I don’t really use the barrier cream much.

TurtBean

For activities, I was riding around in a car for local grocery trips after maybe two weeks. After three weeks, I was driving for those. Apart from general abdominal and perineal soreness, it was fine (I use a cushion in the car to this day).

Closing in on 8 weeks out, I’d feel fine going on a roadtrip, but I’d have to build in extra stops for brief/guard changes, as I’m still fully incontinent (I start pelvic floor PT in a couple of weeks).

As others have said, no shame in wearing the Depends, it’s a necessity, plain and simple, no different than the knee brace my wife wears sometimes. Just get yourself a little bag for supplies and toss that in the car before leaving the house, change in a stall or single-occupant restroom as needed, and you’re fine. Go anywhere you like!

TurtBean

Sorry to keep adding things as they occur, but I did find having a raised toilet seat necessary, especially the first couple of weeks, as getting up from a standard toilet was painful and impossible without help. With the raised toilet seat, there was no issue.

Also, if you don’t already have a few pairs of those really soft lounge-style pants, you might want to get those. I’ve been pretty much living in them since January. For the 8 days I had my catheter in, I wore really baggy shorts, athletic-style.

Clevelandguy

Hi,

First of all check with your Urologist on what kind of activity you can when. My doctors encouraged me to walk, so I did laps around the inside of my house for a few days. I would think you should be feeling better day by day, I needed no narcotics for pain. You will definitely need the max Depends or equivalent after your catheter is removed. Keep your catheter equipment clean, don’t be afraid to venture outside to sniff the fresh air. As others have said no heavy lifting for a while. Let your doctor be your guide, good luck…..

Dave 3+4

TurtBean

Seconding above…all my pain was managed with Tylenol and Gabapentin. I was given a prescription for oxy-something-or-other, but never took it, nor did I feel the need to.

Some pain/discomfort? Yes, certainly, but it was easily managed without the oxy.

Wheel

echo again everything. Additional words of encouragement, I went home same day as surgery. I took only one of the heavy duty Tylenol with codeine and did it the first night more in a preemptive mode, after that was just the extra strength Tylenol. Also definitely get up walk. Next day I was walking outside back and forth, couple houses up and back and just kept extending.

Old Salt

Good thread on this topic:

The little stuff (hints and tips): life after surgery — Cancer Survivors Network

Marlon

Lots of good info in the thread Old Salt posted. Noting two things: when you're out of Depends and going to pads, you might have to rethink your underwear options . I tihnk boxer briefs are best. The second is that stool softeners are a good idea to avoid straining.

TurtBean

@slowmotion57 - I think you were scheduled for surgery yesterday. Hoping things went ok and you’re beginning your next phase of recovery. Onward!