Post Robotic Surgery

Hello again eveyone!
I have posted several messages on this board since October 2008 due to my small 5% Pca diagnosis. I am writing now to see how men who went either through robotic surgery or regular radical surgery have done. I had robotic surgery on Feb. 9th and it was uneventful overall. I spent one night in the hospital and went home the next day. The biggest problem I have had is urinary incontinence since the removal of the catheter 1 week after the surgery. I am almost 3 full weeks post catheter and I still have very little control over urination. I am wearing protective undergarments which at least allow me to go to work and some socializing. If there is someone out there who has gone through either of these procedures, I would like to know if your urinary function returned to normal and if so, how long did it take for that to happen. Thanks to everyone/anyone for your response.

Jim in Florida

Had my robotic pros on February 10th, this year and have had no or minimum urinary problems. Are U familiar with the Kegal exercises to

strengthen the appropriate muscles?  Of course, avoid caffeione (coffee and choclate) which heightens the problem.

Need any further info, be glad to help.

Hi Jim,

Sorry to hear you are still having issues.  I had robotic this past July and had full urinary control when the cath came out after eight days.  This being said, I know several men who have had the same problem as you.  The majority of the time it does get better and with the exercises, you will probably be fine.  Remember, we all heal differently.

Best of luck and do those kegel exercises as much as possible.

Steve

Just read your message. I had robotic surgery Feb. 2007 and had problems for about 10 days. After that, no problem at all and my PSA is 0.003 My doctor told me that everyone heals differently and some patients take more time. However, I am very active and do a lot of lifting and walking. Hang in there.

 

On 3/10/2009 jvcholiday wrote:

Hello again eveyone!
I have posted several messages on this board since October 2008 due to my small 5% Pca diagnosis. I am writing now to see how men who went either through robotic surgery or regular radical surgery have done. I had robotic surgery on Feb. 9th and it was uneventful overall. I spent one night in the hospital and went home the next day. The biggest problem I have had is urinary incontinence since the removal of the catheter 1 week after the surgery. I am almost 3 full weeks post catheter and I still have very little control over urination. I am wearing protective undergarments which at least allow me to go to work and some socializing. If there is someone out there who has gone through either of these procedures, I would like to know if your urinary function returned to normal and if so, how long did it take for that to happen. Thanks to everyone/anyone for your response.

Jim in Florida

Jim,

    I had the robotic procedure done last July and what you're experiencing is exactly what I went through. I really think that was the most frustrating issue because the return to normal is so slow.  But the recovery does take place.  I now use 3 or 4 small pads a week, and only then to prevent the chance of an embarasing moment.  If I'm just around the house or in my office I don't wear one at all, but I do keep one handy "just in case".

                                                              Coleman

                                                              NC

 

 

 

Hi Jim,

I know how you feel EXACTLY.  I had robotic surgery on 19 Jan this year and am still having the problems you describe.  Some days I think I am improving only to find the next day I seem to be back where I started!  It's very frustrating.  I've been searching the web for info and, as everyone says, each person is different.  My brother had the same op a year ago and he took several months to get back to anything like normal. Two colleagues of mine at work have had the same op and both of them are back to pretty well normal after between 6 and 12 months.

The odds are we will both be OK eventually! 

Mike from Victoria Australia

 I am not sure what op you had, but I had RC with a neo bladder. I was totaly dry in 6 months. I am now 15 months post op. I pea every 4 to 5 hours and only leak rarely. I am a big beleaver in the davinci robotic procedure. I was out in 3 days. of coarse no prostate now that is gone. But the new bladder is perfect. DON

NC: Thanks for your response and encouraging information. Since you state that your post-robotic experience was just like mine, I was wondering two questions: a. How long before you got full urinary control back? b. Did you find that you got progressively better and the incontinence improved as time went on? I have to have some idea when this should improve....although I realize everyone heals on a different timetable. Thanks for any additional information. Jim in Florida

 

On 3/23/2009 jvcholiday wrote:

NC: Thanks for your response and encouraging information. Since you state that your post-robotic experience was just like mine, I was wondering two questions: a. How long before you got full urinary control back? b. Did you find that you got progressively better and the incontinence improved as time went on? I have to have some idea when this should improve....although I realize everyone heals on a different timetable. Thanks for any additional information. Jim in Florida

Jim,

    I am 8 1/2 months post surgery.  I still do not have complete urinary control.  I would say I'm around 95% fully controlled though.  I still have problems when I'm physically active (jogging, bike riding, grass mowing), but just several drops on my pad.  Resting, sleeping, in office, watching TV, I don't need a pad at all.  It IS a very slow process. I may use 3 to four small pads a week in my regular underware. Good luck, and feel free to email any time. Sully in NC

 

 

JVC

I had robotic prostate surgery two weeks and the catheter out a week ago.  My faucet is till dripping and I got very little help from the surgeon's office.  I searching for more specific exercises I can do I came across the book "beyond Kegels" but it was not avialable from the common online bookstores.  I found the authors website and bought a copy directly from them.  She claims by doing her exercises she can shorten Bladder control in half versus standard kegels.  She has been teaching this to women for 25 years but all the exercises work for prostrate surgery men too.  here is the link.

 http://www.phoenixcoresolutions.com/

good luck and keep trying.  The information is often conflicting.  John hopkins recommends stop and starting your flow every time you have a good flow while others say don't do that.  Some people suggest reducing you fluids while "beyond kegel" suggests you need to tryand fill your bladder so the bladder stretches and your holding muscles strength. etc etc