RALP recovery time

Hi again guys,

My Dec. 14 RALP surgery was mentioned in a previous post. My support team (spouse) has travel plans set for Jan. 1.

What would you say is the probability that I would need some backup assistance for those days 18, 19, 20, etc., post surgery?

I know this is just a guess but those of you who have gone the RALP route will probably have a pretty good chance of guessing helpfully.

Thanks!

Whippoorwill

I went back to my office job 11 days after surgery.

Hey Whippoorwill -

You can improve your rate of recovery by going into surgery with good fitness (especially better handle anesthesia), and by regular recovery exercise. My post-surgery instructions were to walk 15 minutes every hour. Barring some misfortune, I'd anticipate you'll be ready to carry on independently in reasonable comfort well before her travel.

As others posted, catheter out is a milestone.

Best to you -

Wilderness

Thanks all responders!

Snow is rare here in western Oregon. I'll do my best to get/stay in good shape. Sounds like the catheter hassle will be the worst part of it. Probably won't go for a run the first day it's out but I'll look forward to golfing again with the first spring weather if all goes well.

Thanks again,

Whippoorwill

I agree that if you're using a good surgeon the probability of complications is very low. My cath was out 13 days later and I played golf 21 days after open surgery and was off pads 13 weeks post surgery. Never recovered potency however. But I've had lots of treatments subsequently and have occasional leakage.
Bob

Thanks, again, guys!

I am doing the Kegels but probably should set a timer or something to help remind me to do another set every few hours. With my past BPH and TURPS, I'm all too (unpleasantly!) familiar with the catheter. I'll have to deal with it for a rather longer stretch with the RALP, however.

I definitely will be glad to get back to my golf, etc., and am encouraged by the good reports you've shared.

Whippoorwill

Whippoorwill,
Just want to add something since I saw you had TURP in the past.
Having Turp puts you in higher risk for incontinence because your bladder neck is widened. I li do not know when you had your second Turp but it will definitely play a significant role in regaining your continence back.
I am 51 and just had robotic RP for prostate Ca on November 2nd. Catheter came out on November 10th and ever since that I am leaking constantly. Nothing stays in my bladder. I had Turp on June 1st, 5 months prior to RP. My Urologist told me about bladder neck reconstruction before he was able to reconnect bladder with urethra. With this extra work on bladder neck is putting me into prolonged time of incontinence and higher chance of never regaining continence at all. So far 10 days post catheter removal I am leaking day and night. This is hard to deal with because I used to lead very active life.
I just pray miracle to happen.
Good luck,
MK

Post Edited (MK1965) : 11/19/2016 4:08:57 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks Iapilot and MK,

My TURPS were much longer ago, MK, @ ages 49 and 59 (I'm now 73) but the bladder neck effects are still an important consideration. So too is the scaring internal to the prostate. I'm aware that prior TURPS increase likelihood of incontinence. Unfortunately they also mean more likelihood of problems with RT. This is why I've tried really hard to give AS a thorough try. With high volume G6 and now some G3+4 and a fairly high chance of ECE, it just is beginning to look more and more like I need to take my chances and go ahead with definitive treatment.

I'm scheduled for a consult with Dr. Mark Scholz next week to see if there is anything else I need to consider. If another approach seems promising, I can still cancel my Dec. 14 RALP appointment.

Whippoorwill

I had internal bleeding after surgery which ended up delaying my recovery a bit. I was in good shape before my surgery, but I doubt I'd have felt comfortable traveling 2 weeks after surgery. As it happened, I didn't return to work (desk job) until 3 weeks after the operation and I was only good for about 2-3 hours before I would go home, do some walking and then nap. At 4 weeks I was back at work full time, and now at almost 2 months I'm pretty much back to normal

I had good luck with continence. So that wasn't a worry.

We're all different. Listen to your body and don't push too much too early.

"Whip" I misunderstood you, thinking you were traveling. As long as you're hanging around the house setting your own schedule, you will do fine. Take it easy. You will be surprised how quickly things get better after about 2 weeks or so. My internist told me to allow 6 weeks before you'll feel yourself again. He was right.

bdbbauden,
I see you are on your way to recover your continence rather fast. You made already significant progress. Good for you.
My surgery was few days before yours on November 2nd and catheter was out on November 10th. So far I do not see any progress. I am totaly incontinent during the day and wet at night. When go to urinate at night I accumulate somewhere between 50 and 100 ml in my bladder using 2 pull ups + 5-6 high absorbency pads. I am blessed to be working from home otherwise I don't know what would i do. I am 25 days post op and did not left my house except taking my dog for a walk daily.
Would like to hear from others who had surgery recently about there incontinece.
I am very disappointed and totally regret having surgery.
This is not life that I can accept at age of 51 but I do not have a choice now.
MK

MK, so sorry to hear you're having difficulties with incontinence. Have you talked to your medical team about it? As Lamilla points out, there are physical therapists out there who specialize in pelvic floor issues, perhaps you could ask for a referral to one? I know it doesn't do much good to point out that your situation is unusual, but it is. All I can say is, hang in there, keep doing your kegals, and things will get better.

Oh, and even though this is likely the farthest thing from your thoughts, do ask for a scrip for daily cialis. It will also help get the blood flowing down there....which promotes healing generally, and will help your incontinence as well.

I did Kegels starting a month before surgery and restarted after catheter was removed. I did have TURP surgery on June 1st where surgeon resected my bladder neck widely because of median lobe protruding into my bladder. While performing prostatectomy same surgeon needed to do same additional work on my bladder reconstructing bladder neck to be able to connect it to urethra. Surgeon told me about this reconstruction.
Basically, this sounds to me bad and will greatly interfere with regaining urinary control.
MK