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Posted 1/4/2015 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Just a couple of questions for anyone who has gone through surgery

1. I was told(by nurse practitioner) that there are no restrictions on sexual activity before surgery. But I know that sex before PSA is no good because it inflames prostate. So the logical part of me is asking, isn't it harder to operate on an inflamed Proatate and for that reason, should I abstain from sex the last night or two? I def don't want to, but don't wat to do anything that could hurt my chances for success

2. I was also told it's ok to pop a Xanax the night before surgery. But then I read that the half life of Xanax is 11-26 hours, meaning it could take up to 5 days for it to leave your system. Anybody do this, any problem?

I know, probably dumb questions, I'm OCD and just trying to be careful
Posted 1/4/2015 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I've never heard of any reason to abstain from sex prior to surgery. To the contrary, lots of guys try to give the prostate a vigorous workout prior to surgery :)

No idea on the Xanax. However, if you take one, I'd mention it to the anesthesiologist before they start the anesthesia.

-Gedman
Posted 1/4/2015 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I would ask your doc about Xanax a few weeks BEFORE surgery.
Posted 1/4/2015 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Gedman, I've had more sex in the last two weeks than I've had in the lasts year. It's just the last night before surgery that im thinking about.

@Steve - why a few weeks? Although doesn't really matter since my surgery is in 2 days. I've only taken Xanax about 4-5 times in the last two months, and always half a (50mg) pill.
Posted 1/4/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
On the question of sex before surgery, give it your last shot, haha

Enjoy as much as you can.

Xanax, when I had surgery they were very calming and I found the experience to be semi stress free. You are going to do it nervous or not so you might as well relax
Posted 1/4/2015 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Patrick, thanks for the response. My concern is will it interfere with the anesthesia if it's still n my system (the Xanax)
Posted 1/4/2015 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I think the only danger of having sex the night before surgery is the surgeon noting to the surgical team, "Hey, I think this guy had sex last night."

Who told you it was okay to take the Xanax the night before? If that was a doctor or medical professional, I'd consider their ability to give that kind of direction - likely it's just fine.

Andrew
Posted 1/4/2015 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Have you raised these concerns with your surgeon and what did the surgeon advise. Or are your questions pre surgery jitters? The jitters[whats the derivation of that word?} are very common for anyone pre surgery, regardless of the the surgery type. I was particularly skittish the night before surgery. And of course the xanex will mix with whatever drugs are in your system. We all have different tolerances to different drugs.
Posted 1/4/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't raise the questions with the surgeon, but raised them with the nurse practitioner who said both theXanax and night before surgery activities were ok.

But I think I'll err on the side of caution and not take the Xanax, rather have no drugs in my body when they administer the anesthesia other than my BP meds.

Log, you are insightful. Yes I have the jitters, but not so bad. All in all , I'm surprisingly calm for now.

Thanks for the responses, all
Posted 1/4/2015 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
As far as the medicines, my husband was told not to take any of his prescribed medications (diabetis meds, high blood pressure) from midnight on. His surgery was scheduled for 8:00 a.m.
Posted 1/4/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Where did you hear that sex inflames the prostate? Sounds like internet poppycock to me.
Posted 1/4/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Prato,

One of the things I did while I was trying to decide among my options was watch a robotic prostatectomy on YouTube*. When the surgeon cut the seminal vesicle loose from its connection there was a squirt of milky goo and I remember thinking sadly that the patient has slept through his last party. Don't let that happen to you.

I am pretty sure that sex a few hours before RP makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in the surgery or its outcome. If anything it will save the surgeon the one or two seconds it takes to suction things away.

Tell your anesthesiologist about your Xanex. He will tell you "Yes, most guys do; we've got it covered." so nothing to worry about there.

You seem to have missed the most common before-surgery question, ie. why me?'

You'll do fine.

*I don't necessarily recommend watching the operation on the Internet, especially for nervous types. But, to assuage your curiousity, it looks like an ultra-closeup of a guy poking around in a bag of raw chicken livers with a pair of Swiss-army-knife pliers and a soldering iron.
Posted 1/4/2015 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's entirely wrong to say that sexual activity "inflames" the prostate.

It may raise the PSA level, but that has nothing to do with inflammation of the gland. PSA is not produced by irritation of the prostate.

Relax and enjoy. You may not have the opportunity (or ability) again for quite some time.
Posted 1/4/2015 8:09 PM (GMT 0)

Tall Allen said...
Where did you hear that sex inflames the prostate? Sounds like internet poppycock to me.

clocknut said...
I think it's entirely wrong to say that sexual activity "inflames" the prostate.

It may raise the PSA level, but that has nothing to do with inflammation of the gland. PSA is not produced by irritation of the prostate.

Relax and enjoy. You may not have the opportunity (or ability) again for quite some time.

I just assumed that it does because it raises PSA. I guess I was wrong. Like I said, I'm OCD about this whole thing.
So the answer is, have as much sex as possible the next two days, and stay away from the Xanax if possible.

Post Edited (Pratoman) : 1/4/2015 1:12:32 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/4/2015 8:16 PM (GMT 0)

PeterDisAbelard. said...
Prato,

One of the things I did while I was trying to decide among my options was watch a robotic prostatectomy on YouTube*. When the surgeon cut the seminal vesicle loose from its connection there was a squirt of milky goo and I remember thinking sadly that the patient has slept through his last party. Don't let that happen to you.

I am pretty sure that sex a few hours before RP makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in the surgery or its outcome. If anything it will save the surgeon the one or two seconds it takes to suction things away.

Tell your anesthesiologist about your Xanex. He will tell you "Yes, most guys do; we've got it covered." so nothing to worry about there.

You seem to have missed the most common before-surgery question, ie. why me?'

You'll do fine.

*I don't necessarily recommend watching the operation on the Internet, especially for nervous types. But, to assuage your curiousity, it looks like an ultra-closeup of a guy poking around in a bag of raw chicken livers with a pair of Swiss-army-knife pliers and a soldering iron.

Peter, one of the surgeons I met with, took us through a power point and a video of the surgery. My wife was looking at her shoes the whole time, doing math problems in her head to distract herself. It was hilarious.
As far as why me, that would be typical of me, but for some reason I never asked that question. This happens to too many men. I'm not that special. It is what it is
Posted 1/4/2015 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Sex does not cause inflammation of the prostrate. You are mixing things up. Prostatitis, which is a prostate infection, does elevate PSA.

Enjoy as much as you can now, because men are asked to "redefine" their sex life after radical prostatectomy...which is, of course, why it is so important for experienced "veterans" here at HW to strongly caution men with low risk PC about the ongoing PC overtreatment epidemic.
Posted 1/4/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Prato,

Enjoy the sex whilst you can .... it could be long time between drinks ...

All the best tomorrow (6th January)

Take Care!
Posted 1/4/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Pratomans
I am so glad to see this. You made me worry for nothing. :-)

Sex does raise the PSA. Let's do some rough math and pick worst case numbers. Let's say it changes your PSA reading from 1 ng/dl to 10ng/dl. A huge amount. Now let's further say your ejaculate is an impressive 10 ml squirt. Earthshaking.
So how much is it really? 9ng/dl x 0.1dl = 0.9 ng. Nothing. And that is the most it can be!

You have my permission to clean out the pipes.

Enjoy!

Jeff
Posted 1/4/2015 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I'm convinced I can have two more days of fun. lol
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