Who had a DRE after surgery?

 

I am curious to how many people have had a DRE after surgery.  I am 10 months post op and doctor has not done the DRE.  The doctor has my PSA tested every 3 months but has not done a DRE.  I heard they were done with after surgery but have noticed some people on this site that has had a DRE after surgery.

I started getting mine at 3 months, and have gotten one each time since-each 3 months. The doc says he needs to examine for any unusual growths, scar tissue buildup and general colon health. So I still have a lifetime of them to look forward to. I will say they aren't anywhere as bad/painful/uncomfortable now as before surgery. Now before, it just plain hurt to have the prostate palpated like that by an expert at it... Now it just an inconvenience..

My husband has never had a DRE after surgery, however this is now a question for the 2 year check-up with the surgeon coming up. You never stop learning! Thanks for the post rob. We will check out "why not?" and listen carefully to the answer. cheers

I have one every year during my annual physical and my radiologist does one when I see him. My oncologist has checked but my urologist has not. Was told the same thing James was told, looking for scarring or any unusual bumps.

Frank, after all I am sure you have been through, what's one more poke among friends! lol.

Rob2 -

I'm just over 9 months out, like you. My doctor has never MENTIONED a DRE, and in fact, has never laid a hand on me for any reason after the catheter came out. My biofeedback physical therapist did a mini-DRE, but she just reached in far enough to feel the sphincter muscles work - which is not very far at all.

I have not been to a GP for a general physical (you are supposed to go once a year, you know, so they can check for things like, um, prostate cancer) so I don't know how that will go. I'll let you know.

kcragman

To all those who are still getting DRE after surgery and have an undetectable PSA ...................... perhaps your doc views you as more than a patient?
Only joking of course.
Bill

thanks for the posts. I see there are differing opinions among doctor's on dre's after surgery. I thought I was done with DRE's - maybe not.

kcragman, we are both high gleason with no dre. our surgeon's might be from the same school of thought!

Final thought on this: This topic has been gnawing at me since I read it. If you've had surgery, and you have negative margins, and you have undetectable PSA, why would they do a DRE?

I've had colonoscopies, sygmoidoscopies, and barium enemas (my god, what ELSE can they stick up there?) and I know those procedures look for different things - but with all of those things available what could the doctor possibly be looking for with a DRE?

(The barium enema drill on the tilt table was an ugly experience, but the sygmoidoscopy was the worst. They essentially take a 3-foot garden hose and go up there looking for something. They can't go nearly as far as a colonoscopy, but it is a fully awake, in-office procedure, and getting a garden hose to make all the twists and turns in the lower parts of your large intestines is not a fun process. Most of these procedures have been because I have fought constipation all my life. Lucky me.)

Life is good,
kcragman

I've never had one done after surgery. Need to find out why from urologist next visit.