Anticipating Needs

I am a 48 YO WM stage 2 gleason=7 anticipating retropubic surgery in 2 weeks. I am trying to preplan what items I may stock up on now prior to acquiring my little leg friend (am dreading the catheter more than the surgery, weird huh). Never purchased incontinence pads before. Any advice on what brand is best? What else may I need after surgery that I could obtain prior to? Loose pants (jogging pants) good choice for post-op? Shave prior to surgery? razor? depilatory? Any advice welcome.

Thanks,

Turtle

On 1/31/2008 karatejoe wrote:

I am a 48 YO WM stage 2 gleason=7 anticipating retropubic surgery in 2 weeks. I am trying to preplan what items I may stock up on now prior to acquiring my little leg friend (am dreading the catheter more than the surgery, weird huh). Never purchased incontinence pads before. Any advice on what brand is best? What else may I need after surgery that I could obtain prior to? Loose pants (jogging pants) good choice for post-op? Shave prior to surgery? razor? depilatory? Any advice welcome.

Thanks,

Turtle

Turtle

First off, the surgery is a cake walk, I experienced VERY LITTLE pain or discomfort after the first day.  Mr. HANG is a bid of a discomfort, I had mine in for 18 days due to previous scar tissue, but most people get theirs out in 7 or 8 days.  I wore at most 2 pads a day, I just bought the store brand that attached to my briefs.  Never had a incontinence problem. I also was a Glesson 7 (3+4).  My surgeon cleaned house took out the seminial vessicals, and 23 lynph nodes, cut high on the bladder neck.  He only gets one chance to make the right cuts, these are questions you should ask him BEFORE surgery.  I was swimming in the ocean 4 weeks after surgery.  Let me know how you make out!!

BEST OF LUCK!!

Bert

Bert,

Thanks for your reply. It is very encouraging to hear that your surgery went so well. Most people are telling me that I am crazy to not take advantage of the Da Vinci robot laprascopic procedure. No incontinence, swimming in 4 weeks, sounds good. You suggested that I ask my MD certain questions "before" surgery. How do you determine seminal vesicle involvement prior to surgery? What is the difference with the bladder neck cut? I have read something about that. I have read also that open surgery gives the MD a better look, and therefore is more likely to result in complete elimination of the cancer. Chics dig scars anyways right? LOL.

Thanks again,

Turtle 

Chicks?  I think the jury is still out on that!!!

My Surgeon in Pa. has done over 3000 open RP.  He said the samr thing you did, he has a better "FEEL" & "LOOK" at the situation.  Divinci is really just another form of surgery.  His feeling was at a Gleeson 7 or better ORP is the best solution. I also took a trip to the Cancer Centers of America in IL. for a secon opinion.  They only use radiation to treat PC.  They did a whole new set of test, & scans and the Dr. told me surgery is a very good treatment.  If you radiation first, surgery is not usually a second option, but with surgery, radiation is a doable follow up if necessary.

Dr. Scardino has a book out on PC, and I suggest you get it from the library.  He has a couple chapters devoted to surgery and what the doctor should do.  He is a top surgeon at SK in New York. I had a friend who had the Divinci a month before me with a inexperienced surgeon, he has MAJOR problems, and a very bleak outlook.  Maybe 2 years.

Again it's the surgeon, and his experience & skills. I am a truly happy camper, and looking back, believe it or not, this was a great learning/growing experience. 

You'll be fine! 

On 2/1/2008 karatejoe wrote:

Bert,

Thanks for your reply. It is very encouraging to hear that your surgery went so well. Most people are telling me that I am crazy to not take advantage of the Da Vinci robot laprascopic procedure. No incontinence, swimming in 4 weeks, sounds good. You suggested that I ask my MD certain questions "before" surgery. How do you determine seminal vesicle involvement prior to surgery? What is the difference with the bladder neck cut? I have read something about that. I have read also that open surgery gives the MD a better look, and therefore is more likely to result in complete elimination of the cancer. Chics dig scars anyways right? LOL.

Thanks again,

Turtle 

Turtle

Your MRI or CAT scan should tell if  there is seminal vesicle involvement. Like I said with the open a good surgeon usually cleans house to prevent future problems!

Turtle

 Let me know how you are doing after surgery.

 GOOD LUCK!!!!

BERT

Bert,

I am now 1 week post-op. The procedure went great. The MD is confident that there was no spread, lymph nodes clean, little or no discomfort. The only part of the procedure that I wasn't prepared for was the catheter. Upon awakening in recovery, I had this tremendous urge to urinate. Very, very intense to the point of pain. I can only relate it to the few occasions where I have been unable to find a restroom and have to pee so bad it hurts. For about 6 hours until the Morphine took over. Next day, body was used to catheter and everything fine. While not comfortable, catheter is now more of an annoyance than anything else. Removing the JP drain after surgery was not a lot of fun either, but overall a very relieving experience. I am now resting (right) at home and recovering. Any ideas on how soon the staples are removed? Thanks for your comments!

Turtle

Turtle

Glad to hear all is well. Staples usually come out 7 or 8 days later, you will also hear from your Dr. about the pathology report from the surgery.  I had my cath in for over 3 weeks due to scar tissue but you might get yours out after 10 days, it depends on the Dr. & your insides.

Keep me posted!

Bert