Surgery is a big deal!

I've noticed several threads recently by people who are recuperating from recent surgery...or who are making a treatment decision...and there seems to be a common belief out there that surgery...whether open or RALP...isn't..or shouldn't be...a big deal. (Reading that, I wonder if I'm turning to Logoslidat with all the ellipses)

Guys...and your wives and partners...prostatectomy, whether done manually or with the Davinci system, is a BIG DEAL. it is major surgery. It takes a while to recover, and that time is not measured in days or weeks. It is measured in months. Even for uncomplicated cases. I know that myself, and I was in decent, but not great, shape before surgery, I was still finding that I didn't have my stamina back for 4-6 months.

Feeling weird things, passing blood clots, needing afternoon naps, all that stuff is normal for some time. We need to recognize, maybe for the first time, that we aren't the young men we think we are. And that's ok. We owe it to ourselves to be good to ourselves, maybe for the first time in our lives.

The prostate isn't some simple isolated blob that can be snipped in a couple places and popped out. It's not like that. The prostate is the junction block for the whole male urogenital system. Everything inside is either in it, on it, attached to it, or passes through it. It's very, very complicated, and affects a lot of systems.

You're right. It is a major surgery, and can take a long time to attain optimum healing. Those who've had it done quite rightly deserve support and time for healing. We guys just like to pretend we're fine, and bull through whatever is happening. This one however really is a Big Deal.

Thanks for the reminder, halbert.

You shouldn't go into any surgical situation as though it's a breeze. An open or robotic radical - - - RADICAL - - - prostatectomy involves an area teeming with nerves and tissue, like the colon and erection controls, where, if you don't have an expert doing the surgery, you are asking for trouble. Even an expert ain't perfect.

The time to heal...... I had open removal when I was 42. I'm almost back at 47 sexually to where I was before surgery without meds. With meds, no worries. Never had any continence issues.

Don't go in thinking surgery is a cake walk. It isn't. But if you treat yourself better than you normally do while recovering, you will recover. Pick an exceptional surgeon, not the guy who can take you when your schedule allows.

Good luck.

Surgery is a big deal - any surgery. People often underestimate the risks, impacts on life, and the amount of time to heal.

I had emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder, it was a good three months before I started to fell normal again. Even today there are certain foods I avoid because of that.

RP is no different - it's life changing and not a walk in the park.

Andrew

An RP is considered MAJOR surgery. I personally was under the knife for five hours. And it took months to recover. Still suffer side effects 3 1/2 years later.

My father gave me two great pieces of advice. Stay out of court and the operating room.

The brain surgeons always intimate that they are glad they don't have to remove prostates due to the great difficulty.

RP is one of the most difficult and damaging surgeries. It astounds me that so many men enter the process assuming it is simple and routine.

Great point, Halbert. A prostatectomy is absolutely a big deal. Anybody who's contemplating this needs to be prepared for major surgery, and they need to find a rock star surgeon. I'm constantly amazed at how so many guys will let just any urologist do this.

In the last 13 months, I have had 2 complete knee replacements and a RP. Each by experienced and outstanding surgeons. In all aspects, the RP was the more painful and tougher recovery.
I considered my options and choose what I felt was right for me. So should you , but don't assume that from a recovery standpoint, all treatments are the same. From what others write, in the " normal " case, the associated pain and recovery in many of the radiological options is less of an issue. But in the end, you need to consult with experts and make the decision which is best for you.
If I got a " do over " , would I still choose surgery ? Well, there aren't any do overs. Pain, ease of recovery and side effects must be part of the decision process but they are not the only considerations.

Part of the problem, IMO, is that there are many Robotic surgery centers that grossly downplay the seriousness of the operation. As guys often do, they get caught up in the high tech side of it. At least with old fashioned open surgery, there's no mistake that you are undertaking a very serious surgery with risks. My open surgeon stressed that many times to me.

My open surgery was about 5 hours, and was in the hospital 5 plus days. My original catheter, due to complications, was in for 63 days.

I was fortunate on one hand, no incontinence. And despite having the left nerves being removed entirely, to this day, never had any ED. Was having erections while still on the catheter. Ouch.

Bad news, surgery was a failure and I had BCR within 6 months. Took me a good 6 months to heal, and even at one year mark, still had issue.

An RP is one of the more complex surgeries, don't fool yourself.

Certainly major surgery, and not an easy one, which is why one wants a skilled doc--naturally.

Having said that, while my 'open' RP surgery recovery was inconvenient, the recovery after my rotator cuff surgery--which was 'outpatient'--was more difficult and more painful. I didn't need much more than a Tylenol after my RP, but I needed a few Percocets After my RC!