Is it necessary to see surgeon post op?

I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow for the Two Year followup PSA results.  I guess in theory, I could see someone else in his group...then again - they are in the same or similar office - all of which are within 15 minutes to where I live...

If I were you, I'd ask your surgeon what he/she thinks.

My uro/surgeon is bout 2-3 blocks away from where I live. I have been seeing him 1 1/2 years before surgery, and now almost 1 1/2 years post surgery and post radiation. After my difficulties with salvage radiation, I was sent back to his care, which I am thankful for, as he knows more about my situation then any other medical person.

I, too, would talk it over out of courtesy and respect for your doctor, if the only reason you would be seeing him is for post PSA tests, it would seem like you could get that done somewhere more convenient for you, and have copies sent to him. See if you can use the same lab though, so that you are always apples to apples.

All my test results go to my GP, my radiation oncologist, and even my original medical oncologist for a totally unrelated cancer from 10 years ago.

Red Nighthawk said...
Do you go back to your surgeon for follow up visits after the first one or two? Is it really necessary to go back to the surgeon if there are no issues to discuss? At what point do you stop seeing the surgeon?

Hi!  Similar to you, my surgeon is some distance away from where I live...takes me close to 2-hours to drive.

Here's what I do:

I have my PSA blood draw locally at Quest; they fax the results to the surgeon's office, then I email the surgeon for the results.

After my catheter was removed, I have only returned once.  He requested to see me after my 6-week and 3-month PSA results, but I blew off the 6-week appointment.  I emailed his Physician's Assistant about the need to come in, and he said only if I had unanswered questions or concerns, since my PSA was "undetectable."  I went at 3-months, mainly because I felt guilty about cancelling the 6-week appointment, but it was pretty much a wasted day.

I have no plans to see my surgeon again, unless results unexpectedly turn unfavorable, but my PSA tests results will continue to be sent to him and I will continue to email him for results.

Perhaps a similar arrangement might work for you...?

 

Any change in status regarding addressing sexual function rehab with Dr Hu, or are you taking that local?  My recollection is that he (Dr Hu) is not a big believer in rehab...

That explains why my Uro/Surgeon is always triple booking appointments and why a simple 15 minute (or less!) consultation take 30-60 minutes of waiting around past the appointment time. If he is constantly accumulating new patients and they all go in for their 15 minutes of fame every quarter, half or year something's gotta give sooner or later.

Luckily for me, my Uro did not even book a new appointment for me after the year visit -- (but my stats were on the lowest of the low end ). My yearly checkup should cover it for now on... and just use my Uro/PA for ED work ...

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. I really appreciate it.

You guys who practically live across the street from your uro are lucky.

I will write a note to Dr. Hu and ask him what he thinks about me not visiting him in the future unless there is an issue that needs his guidance. Either way, I'll continue to have my PSA tests done locally and sent to Dr. Hu in Boston.

Casey, you have a good memory. You are correct, Dr. Hu does not believe taking meds post op does any good and is a waste of money, UNTIL NATURAL IMPROVEMENT OCCURS. He believes once our bodies have healed a little bit on our own, then taking the meds has value. Therefore, I am now taking one-half of a generic V every other night to help things along. Personally, I don't think the generic V is as potent as the real deal was, but that may be me and not the drug from India. Dr. Hu's young protege told me that it usually takes a year to a year and a half to see real improvement in the ED area.

Thank you all for your help.

peace,

john

I last saw my surgeon/uro in Feb '09. In/out wham,bam, thank you ma'am. Ka-ching. Bit of idle chit-chat to fill in time to justify his fee for the consultation. I thought my local GP can do this at a far lower cost. If everything is fine, including PSA, what is the point of seeing a uro or surgeon for the result when your GP can very effectively do the job. I get my GP to order the ultrasensitive PSA test, give me the result and a copy is forwarded to the surgeon/uro as a courtesy for his records. If I could arrange the test and get the result myself I would go that way. Unfortunately, in Australia, as the test is fully paid for by our universal health system, a medico must authorize it.
Bill

Tim, I guess that is one of the reasons medical care is so expensive everywhere. Protocol and everybody's hands in your pocket.

Red,

I have about an hour drive to may chosen big name Hospital and made the trip once after my surgery and saw the Surgeon with a couple of students in tow.  The second trip I did not get to see my Surgeon and that was that.  I stay in concact by email and get the script for my PSA every six months because of the bad margin.  I don't even have a local Uro guy.  I promise my self to get one.  If I need radiation treatments I may choose a local community hosp because of employment issues but I hope I never will.

I feel that if you feel its important to see the main man then they truly do too.  If you don't, its ok with them.  I do feel its very important to keep in touch with your surgical hospital so they can track your progress.  This will only serve to help those that follow us. 

If your surgeon actually wants to see you, I would in a heart beat, but I am not driving the distance to chit chat with a young man who would rather I did'nt come in.

Frank

Like others here, our uro was also the surgeon. For the first year, John saw him every 3 months. The first couple of visits were spent checking out the incisions and discussing ED and incontinence, along with a few samples of various ED medications. After the first year, uro said John didn't need to see him each time he had a PSA so we moved to once every 6 months. After the first year, most of the "visits" with the uro are over the phone - he is very accessible and has never failed to return our calls. We are fortunate in that he is patient (with both of us) and answers all our questions.

On a side note, John's "regular" MD (the one who had been monitoring PSA and recommended the urologist) told John right after the surgery that the urologist would take over for a while. The two doctors stay in touch (in fact, the regular MD is a patient of the urologist) and share information. Of course, John goes to his regular MD for annual physicals and non-PCa related issues.