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Posted 12/8/2010 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Just found this site. Was diagnosed Sep 13 with PC, I'm 61, Gleason of 3+3, PSA of 18, and will have retropubic radical prostatectomy Dec 15 at Mayo Clinic. Have begun second guessing myself on retropubic vs da vinci, and a number of other things as well; guess this is common. Opted for retropubic solely to have pathology results during surgery as my brother is dying from stomach cancer. Thanks for all the info; it sure helps to know a little about what to expect.
Posted 12/8/2010 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, and good luck on your upcoming surgery. I had open surgery, and was pleased with my surgeon, hospital, and the operation. If you have any specific questions in regards to the operation let me know, and I will try to help.

David in SC
Posted 12/8/2010 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck , Like Purgatory I had open surgery. Once you make you decision you can not look back. If you have questions do not hesitate to ask. You will find the group here very imformative and supportive.

Cajun jeff
Posted 12/8/2010 10:39 AM (GMT 0)
I will have to disagree with Corvetteman3. You have not made a final decision until it's over with. Up until that time you still have time to think and collect the facts and come up with your final answer. I had thought about having surgery at Northwestern University with Dr. William Catalona. However as I researched more and more I did look back on my decision and changed my mind. I chose to have seed implants but chickened out on the last day I could still cancel the procedure. I called and canceled. It was a good thing I did because a visit to a support group caused me to get a second opinion on the pathology report. The second opinion was worse than the first so they changed my treatment plan to IMRT and seeds. I still had thoughts about not wanting to do it right up until they knocked me out for the procedure. After it was all done though I don't look back. What's done is done and I can't change it. My opinion of course.
Posted 12/8/2010 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
It's totally normal to have doubts and second guesses. But, the fact is, having had robotic, I would say it is a bit oversold. It is still an enormous surgery and with only 5 little holes, it seems like it shouldn't be that big a deal - - it is. It's not as though anyone is out fly fishing any earlier. We all spend our time in the barrel. Do not feel as if you are missing out on anything by having open vs. robotic. Get the cancer and feel confident you made the right decision for you. Welcome
Paul
Posted 12/8/2010 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Flytyer:

We are here to support each other. Please let us know what your concerns are.
Posted 12/8/2010 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
I stand corrected Fultilt. I did mean that once the procedure is done then you can't second guess. This is exactly the time when you do your reaserch and make you final decision. Yes Flytyer you have until the majic day to change you mind on which procedure you will have done to you.


Cajun Jeff

Post Edited (corvetteman3) : 12/11/2010 12:34:03 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/8/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I had the robitic and glad I did. However, the skill of the surgeon is the main factor in any case, in my opinion. I choose the robotic mainly for the idea that the operation was billed to be less painfull and quicker recovery times. I don't know if there is really much difference betweeen the two pain and soreness wise. While my recovery was mostly pain free but there was soreness, yours might have a little more pain bascically due to differences in the incision size.
So switching now? if the pathology during surgery is important to you, you should do it and have that peace of mind. The outcome, assuming equal surgeons, should be the same.
Anyway, try to relax and hang out here on this board and read up on what others are doing.
Good luck, Ron
Posted 12/8/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had the open and an uneventful recovery. The more I read of the robotic procedure, the more at ease I am that I had the open. Nothing specific pops out, but I suppose I had tech-envy for a while. tongue
Posted 12/8/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
At my first visit, my uro/surgeon listed all my options and essentially said the long-term outcomes are excellent with any of them.  As it turned out, at 80grams I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been a candidate for seed implantation, though that would have been my second choice.  I opted for the robotic surgery and haven't regretted it, but after reading on this site quite a bit, I've come to the conclusion that the method chosen is significantly less important than the success achieved, and each individual comes to the table with different personal histories, different health backgrounds, different phobias, and eventually reaches a decision that best suits them individually.  My uro would have done the surgery either the traditional way (and he's been doing those for many years) or robotically (which he has been doing for the last several years).  He left the choice entirely up to me.  I think you can be comfortable with either choice.  Here's wishing you smooth sailing and a quick recovery.
Posted 12/8/2010 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I too had open surgery, and the surgical recovery wasn't bad at all. They'll manage the pain very well while you're in the hospital. After release I had maybe two days on oxycotin, which kept me comfortable. After that, it was nothing that extra strength tylenol couldn't handle.

You made a conservative treatment choice, and a year from now the extra week or two of recovery time won't matter to you at all. Good luck with your surgery, and let us know how you make out with it afterward.
Posted 12/9/2010 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Clocknut -

I love how you put it - your response is perfect. If one method of dealing with PCa was better then another, then the others would have been phased out. There are pluses and minuses to each procedure - the important thing is to do what is best for you and never look back and second guess your decision.

Best of luck to you Flytyer2. Much success to you on the road you are about to travel.

Mark
Posted 12/11/2010 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
We're on countdown; leaving northern Arkansas Monday am for the 12 hour drive to Mayo Clinic in Rochester; hoping to return next weekend after surgery. Am getting really antsy, a bit nervous, and sometimes depressed--guess this is normal. Trying to decide what to pack, mostly for the long drive home as we don't have a clue what to expect. Have oversize pajama bottoms, moccasins, warm socks, sweatshirts, and parka. Wife is greatest blessing in the world; I'm so lucky! Would appreciate prayers.
Posted 12/11/2010 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
I'll pray to the snow gods for you. You may want to leave extra early to beat that storm they're predicting.

Good luck with the surgery; your odds are far better with that than they are with the weather. Try not to worry too much. Chances are excellent that you'll be fine.
Posted 12/11/2010 7:06 PM (GMT 0)

FlIyter, I just checked the 10-day forecast for Rochester, MN, and though it looks to be quite cold, I don't see any major weather systems in the forecast, so Mother Nature may be on your side for the trip.

You'll certainly be in our prayers, as will our friend Rick who will be there at the same time as you.  You'll both have an adventure you'll be able to share with your grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I'm not surprised that your emotions are running the gamut right now.  That's to be expected.  Once you're there, though, I think you'll find that events start happening quickly and you'll be out of recovery and in your room before you know what happened. 

Best of luck to you, and we'll be waiting to here from you when you're back home.  Bill 

Posted 12/11/2010 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
flayer, I'll say a prayer for you buddy. Good luck

Cajun Jeff
Posted 12/11/2010 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Flytyer! There is a lot of great information in the stickies at the top of the message list. You might gather some more ideas regarding what to pack, and what to have on hand for your arrival back home.

I hope you show your wife what you wrote about her! It will make her feel happy. I have been so impressed by all the guys here who have taken the time to recognize and express appreciation for spousal support.

Hoping it all goes perfectly for you!

Juliet
Posted 12/11/2010 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Nobody, even you, can say which will be best for you in the long run. You can only process the best and most professional information you're presented with. I'm the type of person who seeks the best primary care physician and then I relied on him to guide me through the options. I had confidence in the Urologist recommended by my primary care and when the biopsy results were in and the Urologist made his recommendation of removing my prostate via daVinci I never second guessed him or the process. I can't compare radical open vs. daVinci but my experience with daVinci doesn't disappoint me. My brother chose the radical open because he'd had colon cancer and daVinci wasn't an option. Each of us has different sets of circumstances. What I did, what others here did ... is almost irrelevant. It's the people who know you and your health history and current condition best who will give the best advice. Best of luck with the procedure. Guys posting here have a wealth of information, and many different viewpoints and sets of experiences will be presented when you ask questons. Good for you that you found this website.
Posted 12/12/2010 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
It is common to second guess your decision.  I did the exact same thing and it nearly drove me crazy.  As my date approached,  I knew that my it was time and hoped for the best.  Having found this forum was the reason I stayed sane so if you have any questions,  just ask as we are in this together.
Posted 12/12/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)

Welcome Ffytyer2.opinion are like an A.H everybody have one.I have LAPROSCOPY more than five

years ago.to me,I feel that was my best choise and if I have to do it again I will chose robotic before

open.you need to be sastify with your choise it will be fine.God bless you. yeah

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