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one week untill Robotic Prostatectomy , any tips?

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Posted 5/4/2011 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Well it is one week before my husbands Robotic Prostatectomy.  Wondering if anyone has any tips for him. Have been doing the kegals. Eatting well, excercising. Diet? , anything should be doing ahead of time or after surgery. Thanks
Posted 5/4/2011 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Klains,
Our "really Useful" list has gotten moved, but here is a link to it:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1717641

This has a lot of notes on getting ready.

My biggest "logistical" suggestion is the big bucket for the catheter bag at night to keep it upright and avoid leaks and floods on the carpet.
Posted 5/4/2011 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Klains, your hubby will be very constipated for a few days after surgery. It is really important to go into the hospital on an empty stomach. Have the laxatives and stool softener close at hand. At about 7pm of the night of my op, I was so hungry that I begged for and got a nice bowl of mac and cheese. That was one of my more legendary mistakes! Soup only for a day or two.

Dealing with the catheter will be easy....after the shock wears off. It's no big deal.

Do read the post 142 recommended. Lots of great info there.

Oh yeah.....bring stuff to read while waiting. Thats the hardest part. You and your hubby will be fine. No worries.

Dave
Posted 5/4/2011 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
The link 142 provided is very comprehensive (and is a lot more info than my doctor or hospital provided).

The only thing I wish I would have done differently (and it is relatively minor) is get a plastic toilet seat riser for my home toilet. That first several days home from the hospital, my stomach area was still sore (only when changing positions) and it was difficult to sit down on the toilet and get back up because it was so low.

Other than wishes for a successful surgery and fast recovery, that's all I have.

Dan
Posted 5/4/2011 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
With one week to go, I don't think diet or exercise is going to make a difference, not enough time to have any meaninful effect.
Posted 5/4/2011 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
The hardest part is being relaxed about the whole thing.As Frankie says"RELAX"!
My surgery was pretty easy,except for constipation. Didn't go till 3 days after catheter was removed,around 18 days total. The other shocker was how swollen my scrotum got,but that will go down before cath is removed.Some how is missed that in the literature they gave me!
Good Luck!!!

Dave A.K.A Slink
Posted 5/4/2011 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Before the surgery, just try to relax and stick to that pre-op diet.
For home after surgery:
Have a bottle of prune juice, cranberry juice and vegetable juice in the house.
Drink a glass of each a day. Kind of refreshing, (as his diet allows).
Have a bag of ONES prunes or any prunes.
Have 2 a day, as his diet allows.
Lots of canned fruit like apricots, pears, fruit cocktail, avocado, roast up some cauliflower (as his diet allows).
Have a couple more catheter bags in the house if possible, for the day and evening.
Have 2 pairs of stretchy large shorts. Got 'em at LLBean.
That large bucket for night to hold the night bag 2000ml is great by the bed!
Cut your toenails before.
Get a haircut.
VIVA paper towels are the softest, get a few.
Have washcloths to wash with. He will know why when he washes. We do, alot of people don't, you would be suprised.

My prayers with you and your family.
Posted 5/4/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Go to the hospital with the stretchy pants. After the robotic, his belly will be a bit distended. We took car service home, not a bad idea.
Posted 5/4/2011 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Dont let the dog think the cath bag is a toy:)

Stop your mates from ringing up to try and make you laugh, it's painful.

Seriously, drink lots of water and walk as much as you can, even if it's lots of small ones.
Have plenty of dvd's and books to keep you amused while you rest.
Lots of fibre, keep those bowels regular.


Good luck,
Mike

Posted 5/4/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
The pre-op bowel prep is the worst part of the whole thing..Ask the anesthesiologist not to injure the vocal cords with the breathing tube..have a pair of baggy sweat pants for the ride home.

Get all the catheter supplies out of them that you can, two bags, (large and small) extra straps, a roll of tape..

YOU will be sitting in the surgery waiting room, usually a pretty nice place with phones, WiFi, snacks...

He will have ZERO appetite for a couple of days, a couple of cans of "Boost", high energy diet drink goes down easy...
Posted 5/4/2011 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Depending on where you live, spring weather should have returned, so it will be relatively easy and a great experience to get outside and moving as soon as possible.  That may start with just an easy stroll to the corner and back, but walking is great exercise for recovery....just don't overdo it.  Since it was summer when I had my surgery, I wore a pair of those long, long basketball shorts that are being worn these days.  They covered the hip bag for the catheter and I didn't have to lug around the large bag.

I think someone has already mentioned putting a waterproof pad on his side of the bed in the appropriate area.  It likely will never be needed, but prevention is better than having to clean up a wet bed.  I wore briefs and a male Guard pad to bed, with the catheter bag next to the bed.  Be sure to always keep the bag lower than where it exits the body.  It's not a pleasant feeling, nor is it a good thing, if it drains backward.

Fortunately, my wife, being a nurse, knew how to take care of the catheter bag and tubing.  I was completely ignorant for the first day or two, but took care of myself after that.  Learn how the clip works that controls the drain at the bottom of the bag so  you can start and stop the flow without spillage.

You can't anticipate everything, but you are definitely doing the right thing by planning ahead.  It's not that bad, but it does require some adjustments for a while.

Posted 5/4/2011 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
The one thing I wish I knew in advance was the recovery room and waking up... I had a KILLER urge to go pee pee and couldn't. Course I had a catheter in place and was already going..

Posted 5/5/2011 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I just had the surgery about 2 weeks ago and the thing that helped me the most post-surgery was Jello and fruit sorbet while I was on the liquid only diet. Having something that 'feels' like real food really helped me get through that part of recovery.  I was released probably a bit too early because I had not 'passed' gas yet.  Make sure that your husband has done this before they release him.   Good luck!   Larry
Posted 5/5/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, first of all, think a little about yourself. He is going to be asleep and you are going to be sitting in the waiting room worrying. As others have said, have good reading material. Lots of hospitals have WiFi so you can probably bring a laptop or tablet. Send email to the kids, surf the web, start a great novel. Time will drag.

When he gets back to his hospital room movement is the most curative thing he can do. Have some books, magazines, newspapers and encourage him to sit in a chair rather than lie in the bed. As soon as he is ready get a nurse to help you walk him up and down the hall.

Driving home, a pillow to sit on might be welcome.

Once home he will have trouble finding a way to sit comfortably. Problem solve. Try a foot rest, easy chair, straight chair, recliner.

A good night's sleep is important. For me, the big thing was taping the catheter tube to my thigh (with some slack) that if I moved in the night the tube didn't wag the dog. In fact, a nurse showed me how to put down a 4X4 inch square of tape on my thigh that just stayed there for the week. the tape to hold the tube went on top of that so pulling it off didn't hurt. (obviously it is nice if you have the tape in advance and don't have to run out for it)

Remember our mantra for the first few weeks drink, drink, walk, walk. He needs to get the anesthetic out of his body and prevent internal wounds from sticking to parts that they shouldn't.

Good luck -- most of this seems worse in prospect than it really is
Posted 5/5/2011 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
If you need to take prescription pain meds, then take them. There is no prize for suffering in pain, and by avoiding pain meds when needed, you can actually retard the body's healing process. Any nurse will tell you that. The short time you will probably need you isn't going to cause most people any if much constipation problem. Pain is a very personal and subjective thing, and only you will know how you are feeling after you are released from the hospital.

All the advice about drinking lots of water is very important. Got to keep flushing out your system, even if you don't feel like it. It will make your hopefully short catheter time go easier on you. If your lifestyle allows, its easier to keep the big catheter bag on most of the time, the "night" bag, typically holds 2000 ml, some as much as 4000ml. If you do use the leg bag, they typically hold around 400 ml. You don't want to lie down with a leg bag on, as it can force urine back up the catheter into you bladder. Urine is only sterile in your bladder.

Walking is great, if you are up to it, try the best you can every day.

Good luck,

David in SC
Posted 5/5/2011 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
I had open surgery April 15. I think the worse thing for me after surgery was the catheter. Just a big nuisance more than anything. Make sure the tube is well secured to your leg at all times. It is difficult to walk with the tube not supported (they use a special anchoring device called Flexi-trak. I had to put a new one on three times).
You will become a catheter expert after about 2 days (mine was in for 13 days). No pain having it taken out...just relief!

I do agree about diet - prunes, yogurt, soup, fruit, water, and stool softener for me. It hurt too much to push and you shouldn't anyway. I did not have much of an appetite for a couple of weeks post surgery.

I try to exercise every day (walking - nothing too strenuous) listen to your body - take many breaks throughout the day! Have lots of reading material. You will have more free time than you will know what to do with.

Your job for the next few months is to get well! Good luck on your journey!
Posted 5/5/2011 7:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hello klains,

Everyone's experience is a little different.  Seems most of us do quite well.  A few have some difficulties, most of which are temporary.  You've probably noticed by now that constipation is a common theme.  I've always been pretty regular so declined the stool softeners while I was in the hospital.  Probably should have accepted them.

I wrote down the hightlights of my experience.  You and your husband may some of it helpful.  You'll need to take care of yourself so you can take care of him.  I'm sure you are very supportive and he will appreciate it.

Steve

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1947453

Posted 5/5/2011 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Klains,

pardon me for being so forward but my advice is to make love in every room of the house every time you can right up to the moment that he goes to the hospital. Might be awhile. I wish you both the best of luck. wink

Posted 5/6/2011 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Klains,

All is good then great

1st the good

1) PC will be gone
2) only one more week of messy sheets

Now the GREAT

approx 3-4 months Post OP

TRIMIX ------> Nuff Said

Go on Amazon and get the Kama Sutra book, you will need ideas of what to do with that [edited inappropriate terms] erection

Wait there is much more, picture this your husband has orgasms and can keep going no recovery time needed. [edited inappropriate terms]

Post Edited By Moderator (James C.) : 5/7/2011 7:04:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2011 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
I seriously doubt that just a few days prior to her husband's major surgery Klains is concerned in the least about 3-hour erections or multiple orgasms.  I can't think of anything that would have been less on my wife's mind, or on mine, at that point.   I just showed this last answer to my wife, and she said if she had received a reply like that, she'd never come back to this site.


Post Edited (clocknut) : 5/6/2011 8:11:23 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2011 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Clocknut,

Levity is the perfect Rx for Stress and Anxiety which is something that they are dealing with in great quantity right now

The point was that there is light at the end of the tunnel and not that far away
Posted 5/6/2011 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Mr. Gimpy,
I'm sure your intent was to lessen anxiety, but I'm a bit older than you, so maybe it's a generational thing, but if you made the same attempt at levity face to face with my wife, you'd probably get your face slapped by her....and if I overheard you talking to my wife about [edited inappropriate terms] then you and I would have words for sure. To me, it just sounds like a total breach of propriety, esp. when dealing with a complete stranger. However, I'll butt out and maybe some of the women on the site will chime in...or not.

Post Edited By Moderator (James C.) : 5/7/2011 6:23:26 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2011 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Klains, best of luck to you.

Adderboy, you are doing great. It's nice to hear about some good results with little SE.
Posted 5/6/2011 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Mr. Gimpy,

That was a very crude and vulgar post up there, in bad taste on a site where women come and post, and being that most of us are married. Wouldn't want my wife reading what you wrote.

David in SC
Posted 5/6/2011 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
oh it's all in good nature. If you find it crude, why address it? we have cancer, we're terrified of what will happen to us and that post is exactly what i would have wanted to read heading into my surgery.

Furthermore, I now want to try this trimix...
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