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Three weeks after prostate surgery, looking for answers, shared experiences...

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Posted 8/12/2013 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm a new member of the Reluctant Brotherhood. I'm 66. Diagnosed with PC a couple of months ago; had robotics surgery to have it removed 3 weeks ago tomorrow. Localized, so no post-operative radiation treatments. Doing Kegel exercises religiously. One week with a catheter, the last two weeks wrestling with the incontinence issue. Basically, wearing two Depends over a 24 hour period. Starting to experience "some" control, but...

I would like to know what to look for going forward -- in terms of control, what to avoid, what to focus on, etc. Are there common signs that things are improving? Is there a forum or chat room where I can search for answers to these and other questions? I realize "one size doe not fit all," but I'm hoping there's some common knowledge, experience and the like I might tap into.

Thanks!

Rick
Posted 8/12/2013 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
we all react/recover differently. I'd say that your ability to feel some control over urinary function is a good sign of improvements to come.

It's a process and you should expect improvements along the way. There are some foods and drinks to avoid as reported by patients here but I'm not sure these apply to everyone. I for instance was 100% fine but had some awful issues if/when I ate asparagus. No idea why. Others experience issues with caffeine and carbonated drinks.

Best of luck.
Posted 8/12/2013 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you are doing fine for being just 3 weeks out...I bet by the 3 month mark you will be dry as a bone...Is your weight where it should be? Carrying extra pounds tends to aggravate incontinence. Booze and coffee should be avoided at least until you get good control...
Posted 8/12/2013 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome. Walking really helped me. I walked 3-5 miles a day early in the day. I was dry at night first and then little by little dry during the day. I was very lucky in that my time of incontinence was short, but I had frequency issues if I drank or ate anything with artificial sweeteners for several months after surgery. You are very early in the healing process, so try and be patient. Progress usually comes in small steps.

Best wishes,
Tom
Posted 8/12/2013 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
200 kegels a day....every day for a year. Soon you'll be wondering why you're doing them but then you'll know why...I'm two years out and took three months to show meaningful improvement but I went back to work (desk job) two weeks after surgery. There is a new thinner pad for men out I wish we' had had. Good luck and keep working. Coughing still gets me sometimes but getting up and down now is no problem...

The tub and the toilet are good places to do the kegels...walking also, to you can get a rhythm going and it isn't as boring. You can make yourself sore doing them too...


Once you get control and you've healed some more then start working on stretching the bladder...That will help too.



Good luck don't let it get you down.
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