My Robotic Prostatectomy Experience

gkoper said:

Central florida robotic surgery
Is there anyone with PC who had robotic in Ocala,Fl. area? I have surgery scheduled for later this month in Ocala.
Cheers,
George

whubbs said:

So many similar situations - 6 weeks now.
g8rb8- Your gleason and stage are the same as mine were. Glad to hear that the biopsy suggests organ confined, these are good indicators.

I didn't expect so many similar stories as mine, especially the age group of men in my situation, guys in their youthful forties, completely blind-sided by this.
I'm particularly thankful for a doctor I had a few years ago, Dr. Arnold Winokur, he was my GP at the time, he was a great doctor and very pleasant and nice man. We've since lost him to his own cancer battle, however thanks to his recommendation to set my baseline PSA at the age of 38-39, I wouldn't have caught the prostate cancer when I did, at a stage when it is most treatable. He's just as responsible for saving my life as the surgeon who removed it.

As far as recovery, after 6 weeks I'm feeling mostly back to myself again.
I've been back to work, desk job designing aircraft, not strenuous at all, for a few weeks. Incisions are healed and no longer are irritated by the belt line.
Though I do have a remaining hernia situation caused by the surgery that needs attention as well as a couple sutures that are actually sticking out that need to be trimmed off.

The continency and erectile issues are tough, and if you approach it with a sense of humor, it helps ease the anxiety of such dignity-striping issues. My wife is very understanding and supportive, this alone is one of the most important aspects of recovery- a loving, supportive partner/family to get you through the tough times.


This board is so important too. I learned a lot from it before seeing the doctors, I had the right questions to ask BEFORE I went, you're just a number to them unfortunately.
Feel free to email me at the email address I posted earlier, I've heard from some men who have been very anxious about the surgery and I feel obligated to help by discussing it openly and honestly. Not something appropriate for the board, but I'll let you know what I experienced right down to the catheter/drain issues - continency/erectile issues.
I know I would have felt so much better, if not so much more PREPARED, had I heard the candid experiences that someone else had.

Good luck everyone and Happy New Year!
May 2009 bring us all health and happiness!

whubbs said:

9 Months
I'm now 9 months outside of my robotic surgery.
PSA tests came back yesterday.. PSA remains still <.1
100 % Continent (a little drip shutting off the valve, but is improving to 100% soon - Do your KEGELS!)
Other issue- Not a problem, maybe not 100% but by next appointment (1 year) I'm feeling that it will be.
Good luck to everyone dealing with this.
Feel free to email me @ cobrabite427@yahoo.com if you want to know any details on the robotic surgery, Ash Tewari (the best robotic surgeon in the Notheast!), side effects, pre and post surgery issues and suggestions/advice, etc.</p>

brookjax said:

Watchful waiting and robotic surgery
I have gone to a couple of Man to Man meetings and heard several cases where the actual Gleason scores after analysis after surgery were much higher than the pre-op biopsy indicated. In fact, mine were said to be Gleason 6 per the biopsy and it turned out to be what they call a '6/7,' indicating higher levels. One had a biopsy of a 7 and the post-op analysis was a 9, so I am glad I had the surgery. Even with a score of 6, the biopsy showed that there was cancer in several places over one side of the prostrate.

If you do the exercises daily, preferably 20 of them six times a day, the incontenance should go away in about three months.

I used Dr. Manaharran at the Univ. of Miami Medical Center on the recommendation of a co-worker, and I don't remember the operation at all. He is certified by the robotic surgery company Divinci, which is not true of all doctors who do the procedure. They have a list of certified doctors on the website of the company.

What I am wondering about is whether there are any other medications for ED other than cialis or viagra?

sonomablue said:

Robotic Da Vincvi
Congrats to all of you. I just found this site tonight. I was diagnosed in October. After consulting with my local Urologist, and after reading the book "Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, 2nd Ed, I received a referral to UCSF. I am scheduled to have the Da Vinci surgery in Feb. I will continue to read these threads. Nice to hear from people who have been, or are currently going through it. thanks for your information, suggestions, thoughts, etc.

whubbs said:

1 Year
Hello everyone
I'm sorry for not posting up for a while, you'll realize after treatment, you tend to move on.
However, for those who would like to contact me regarding my experience, have any questions, especially of the sensitive nature, feel free to email me at cobrabite427@yahoo.com (just make the subject prostatectomy, as I do get a lot of spam)

At 1 year, here's where I am;

Oncological- At 9 months PSA is still ND (non-detectable) - Next week is my 1 yr PSA check. Fingers crossed. (This is an anxiety I may never be able to escape from)

Continency- A drip here and there when I cough, sneeze, laugh or strain. Doc says a 'reaming' of the surgical site may help. I chose to wait and see. Not exactly something I consider a problem right now. Otherwise, I consider myself 'continent' - just have a slight leakage issue that is easily remedied by a tissue. Life goes on.

Erectile function- It's all back, in varying degrees of 'fulfillment'. For the first time in my life, my brain needs to be engaged, once it is there is no problem.
Of course, the little blue pill works wonders, but not needed.
A word to the naysayers- Take the ED pills before, during and after surgery- the improved blood flow helps healing. Thank me later.

Good luck to everyone. I'll report my PSA next week.
Hope to hear from anyone who needs to talk.
I've heard from hundreds of men during this year, and it's been very rewarding to me to help.
Sometimes, just knowng what will transpire during surgery helps the anxiety.

Special thanks to Dr. Ash Tewari - Easily the best at robotic prostatectomy, and continues to research less invasion methods, including a catheterless procedure. (One I was not eligible for unfortunately)
I see the great Doctor Tewari next week for perhaps the last time.
If you can, make him a part of your treatment options. His practice is remarkable.

Peace and health to all!