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Back home after Da vinci surgery

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Posted 5/3/2008 4:44 PM (GMT 0)

Had surgery on Monday 4/28 and returned home on wednesday afternoon.  Thanks to all who responded to my pre surgery post and the encouragement offered.  Since the surgery I've been surprised that I havn't bounced back like others on the forum but everyone is different and previous surgery and age must play a factor..

I am able to pass gas but have not been able to have a BM yet.  Have been walking every day and drinking plenty of water.  Doctor continues to reccommend stool softeners so I guess its a mater of time..

The other thing that has surprise me is the leakage around the penis.  No matter how I try to adjust the cathador, a pad or my shorts I still get leakage.  I tried both the large and small bag with equal results. I'm having to change my shorts 5/6 times a day.  Mentioned this to the Doctor but he didn't seem too concerned.

Posted 5/3/2008 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
      Hi ~ Wallypm and Loved Ones,   W elcome     to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~     Click   on   link   below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!     >>   Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell   The information (link) listed above is to help you get around the forum!    v        This is a journey best traveled with friends.  Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       TC-LasVegas ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg
Posted 5/3/2008 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the other side---the healing side.  Each day in your recovery should find you stronger and feeling more healthy....

Posted 5/3/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wally,

I looked back at your other two posts and never saw a welcome, so here it is. This site has been wonderful for me. I came here after my first bone scan and haven't left as I realized I needed a group to share this with. And what a group. I too am a 4+3 patient, although I did not fare as well after surgery. It will happen with the BM. I had the same results and you will likely start in the next day or so. Your wealking and water is precisely what I did and I did well after surgery. I did not have much leakage but others here did. I would not be too concerned with it at this point. After that catheter comes out you will leak as well but it will subside as it have in most cases. Anyway, welcome to the best site on the web for patient to patient interaction. Many posts daily, and some real good hearted folks. Keep posting and stay positive, my motto.

God Bless you, and be well.

Tony
Posted 5/3/2008 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

wallypm,

Sounds as if you are bouncing back just fine so far!!  The fact that you are able to post here and are walking every day are great signs.

As for leakage with the catheter in, I experienced the same thing....for all 22 days it was in....not fun.  Docs said it was probably due to bladder spasms, but whatever it was, it did not help things.  I wore pads to catch the leakage.  Also used KY jelly on head of penis to keep it from becoming raw.....and Boudreaux's Butt Paste on my scrotum to prevent diaper rash.

Keep walking, drinking that water and before you know it you will start feeling stronger physically and mentally.

DanMan

Posted 5/3/2008 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wallypm,

I had BM problem also, had to use Milk of Magnesia and other stuff to help and still took me about three days. Just hang in there and it will happen but you don't want to strain yourself. With the leakage around the penis, I cannot add any thing as I didn't had that problem. My only advice is to make sure you tape the tube coming out of the penis to your leg as close as possible so you don't too much movement. I'm surprised that the doctor is not paying too much attention to this.

Kris

Posted 5/3/2008 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Wally if you are able to wear briefs Tena makes a real good pad made especially for men which will help with keeping your short dry. Don't be alarmed when you have your first bm if you bleed from your penis this is also normall
Posted 5/3/2008 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Wallypm,
Definetly take the stool softener! I get the bottle of generic w/laxative for my husband. It was so much easier for him after taking it. He leaked around the cath entrance too. Got alittle raw. We put triple antiobiotic on it and it cleared up. Just don't scrub it there. Let it heal on its own. Alittle warm water we found was best.
Good luck to you and our best in your speedy recovery!
Cindy and Kent
Posted 5/3/2008 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your replies guys, it's a great relief to share with someone else and find they also have faced the same problems. Just had a BM and thanks to your suggestions will stay on the stool softeners. The Boudreaux's Butt Paste is a new one on me , is it available in the drugstore..? For the seepage the Doctor has just reccommended "Vesicare 5 MG" which is to control an over active bladder?? The side effect however is Constripation and as this has been a problem concerns me some.
Posted 5/3/2008 10:17 PM (GMT 0)

Wally,

I took Vesicare also....for bladder spasms....but still leaked....so apparently they think you have the same or a very similar problem to mine.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste is available in pharmacies, grocery stores and discount stores nationwide, according to their web site (linked below...also includes a phone number)

http://www.buttpaste.com/BLButtPaste.php

Posted 5/4/2008 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. I'm about three weeks ahead of you.

From your shorts getting wet it sounds as if you either have your pad adjusted wrong or it is filling up rather quickly and not being changed... since urine is leaking from it. It needs to be snug up against you.

I leaked around my catheter, too, but not as much as you describe. My doctor recommended Neosporin on the tip to keep the risk of infection down.

Regarding BMs, I had the same problem. In addition to stool softeners, my doctor recommended a suppository (Dulcolax) and I was only able to have a BM when I used one for about the first two weeks.

Regarding the buttpaste.... I use Desitin (for diaper rash), which was recommended by my doctor. You can find it in the baby diaper aisle.

Don't know if you saw this elsewhere but a great tip that was passed along to me that really works is to sleep on your back at night. It keeps the leakage down.

Good luck and keep us posted!
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