Three weeks after open radical retropubic prostatectomy, JP still draining over 400 cc per Day

I don't think three weeks is typical for either although I'm not sure what JP refers to.

My drain was out the day after surgery and the catheter 9 days after although my surgery was robotic. I think that time frame is pretty standard. Probably should ask the surgeon why the drain is needed for so long and why removal of the catheter is depended on the drain.

Wow! If you're referring to the drain installed near the incision mine was out before I left the hospital which was around 60 hours after surgery. Cath was out 13 days after surgery. I had ten nodes removed. You seem to be bleeding way more than usual. Your Operation report should explain why there was and still is so much blood. And of course the surgeon should explain it to you in person.
Bob

Its not blood he is draining it is lymph fluid. there is no doubt lymph nodes were disected. Look, my pratt drained for 5 weeks post op. Without going into the details your surgeon will know what to do. Consult with him on this issue and ask directly what the plan is. My surgeon was on it... I trusted him. he took care of it the drainage turned off like a faucet.. I was on my way home. Its too complicated to go into what he did. If you are really interested I have responded to this situation at least 3 times and the responses are in the archives. I have no idea , nor do I want to know.. how to find something in the archives. My advice, trust your surgeon and/or press him on the situation. Im not sure why this isn't done more often by posters, rather than ask bunch of folks whasup on the internet. Sorry Jide...Bozo is grumpy... While you are at it ask your surgeon whats the odds you will get lymphoceles. Google that word. oh the happy faces will be along shortly tho, with less information. vent over...bring in the clowns...oh they're already here...Honk Honk!

Ps I had 29 nodes disected all negates for cancer. Ok Im felling guilty... lymphoceles are not unusual for folks that have had nodes removed and excessive pratt drainage of lymph fluid. I had 2 golf ball size lymphocels that presented with malaise...low grade fever. this happen about 2 months post op. They self resolved on their own and every thing was hunky dory. They do not always self resolved and a simple lancing and draining in house by a uro will take care of it. If some one warns of lymphedema on this site re node disection totally disregard it . That can happen in breast cancer cases, but DOES NOT happen in PCA node removal. BTW node removal is a major plus in the odds against having a BCR{check abbreviation list}{ I was won't to use the abbrev for abbreviation} just cuz... It effectively creates a fire wall against spread via the lymph system. So buck up you are going to be fine and will have the ups and downs of recover. Think of ups and downs in the way you see them on a heart monitor. Beats a flat line....

It is NOT excessive , but routine when patients have many nodes removed. Ill bet the nodes in this case was high double didgets. The surgeon is 100% knowing about the situation and has it in hand... He isn't sharing... and follow Halberts advice on intimidation. Press him on the lymphcels also... you may get them. Ok Jide with that enjoy the holidays...seriously you will be fine...

I love to go out on the limb with predictions...ya know # of nodes...percent of doctors awareness. its like catching a 8' foot reef wave at low tide from the lip. To all newbies, when in doubt check with docs before asking random guys on the internet.

I had 17 lymph nodes removed for dissection and had the JP pluged in for a week. My JP tubes leaked all the time at their incisions.

When I was concerned about the amount drainage and leakage, I called my doctor who performed the surgery and he answered my questions. I agree, call your doctor for answers.

Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

It's concerning and do keep talking to your doctor about that. However, we have heard of cases here where the drain and cath stayed in for long times.

Hang in there,
Andrew

My JP was removed before I left the hospital - 2&1/2 days after my open RRP. I had 18 nodes removed.
3 weeks is a long time for a catheter. I "only" had mine for 15 days. It didn't come out a second too soon. I know others have had longer periods but we're all different. Remember we all have different levels of cancer on different anatomies so we will all heal differently. Trust your docs but make sure to tell them about your concerns. You'll get it figured out. Good luck.

My husband's JP leak was the reason I found this forum. His leaked so excessively no surgical pad could contain the leaking for longer than 10 minutes. The tube was removed when he left the hospital and we were told it would only leak for a few days to a week. WRONG! It leaked for 30 days, a month from the date of the surgery! His doctor finally ordered an ostomy bag to collect and measure the drainage. It was nearly two liters per day! It gradually lessened and you could see the incision site was closing. It literally stopped overnight. Leaked on Saturday, no leak on Sunday. It was really annoying and frustrating to deal with!