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Posted 3/11/2018 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
6 holes in my belly seem to be healing. I've only had the cath out a couple of days. freedom, but underestimated how much soreness remained, that's been the only time i took a pill in the last 6 days. Scrotum seems larger and the boys ache, hence the moniker. Was a little romantic today and felt a stir, not an erection, but a stir. it was positive, i thought. When i asked the surgeon prior to anesthesia when i could resume, he said three weeks but that i wouldn't feel like it. He and the referring urologist encouraged erections.

Isn't it too soon? What is the general timetime to try to get wood and when to resume sexual activity? I'm just a little confused.

Only leak for coughing laughing and sneezing. I can prevent to some degree. BMs would be more painful if i didn't resist the urge to help. A BM almost got me on the highway today.

What are the milestone timeframes? Leaving the house for hours at a time? Sit at my desk at work?
Erections? Sex? Running/Lifting?

thanks
Posted 3/11/2018 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
Let me be the first to welcome you and your boys to the club. I hope they’re old enough to drink — we card at the door.
Seeing as you’re from Baton Rouge, be sure to check out the GFMPH Cajun Style thread.
There’s a lot of healing to be done down thar, and the last thing you want to do is rupture the urethral anastomosis, so take the warning against heavy lifting and overvigorous activity of all sorts seriously. If you’re already getting usable wood, maybe you and your partner should just admire it for a couple of weeks more before polishing it. On the other hand, if I’d been so fortunate I don’t think I’d have been willing to put off testing the equipment.
If the only incontinence you’re suffering two weeks post-RP is sneezy pee, you’re way ahead of most. Do Kegels, go for walks, and relax.
You can sit and work to your heart’s desire, but get up and walk around regularly. If you’re having soreness, you might find a donut pillow helpful.
No reason you can’t be out all day. Just bring pads.
Most of all, follow the post-op instructions your surgeon gave you. If your surgeon said don’t do X for 6 weeks, and you do it at 3 weeks and land back on the table, he’s not going to take “Some bozo from Saipan told me it would be ok” for an answer.
Best wishes for a continued smooth recovery.
Posted 3/11/2018 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Just for one example, I began working at two weeks. By "working" I mean standing or sitting at the front of a class teaching college students, so it's not at all strenuous. It felt great to be out of the house and being useful, seeing colleagues, etc., but at the end of the day I collapsed on the sofa, extremely tired. Of course you might be different. I suggest that if you feel up to it you add activities gradually, while avoiding anything strenuous or involving lifting. I'd avoid running for a while because it shakes up your insides. Even after two months you will still be feeling effects of the surgery, so take it easy, and try not to be in too much of a hurry.
Posted 3/11/2018 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the other side. You don't want to life anything heavy for a couple of months, RP is a really invasive surgery. And what Saipan said.
Posted 3/11/2018 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks 4 the kind and encouraging welcome
Posted 3/11/2018 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
yep do the walking a lot and drink water...your body will tell you when to turn it in to a jog and then run...same with weights go ez...increase reps as you sense...weight increase are last...push the envelope...but with out tearing the message inside...recovery is like life...fits and starts...
Posted 3/11/2018 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Walking helped me the most with recovery. Keep us posted on your progress. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 3/11/2018 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Kenny,

It sounds like you're doing well post surgery. Listen to your body, you'll know when it's time to do something new.

My own example: I had my first stirring down below the week after the catheter was pulled--I woke up in the night with a partial erection that was caught by the heavy pad. I went back to work on day 20 post surgery, mostly because of severe cabin fever--and I probably should have stayed home another week. I didn't work a full week for another week or two, and I didn't really feel physically able to do what I had been able to do previously for quite a while--several months at least.

Bottom line is, absolutely follow the 'no heavy lifting' guidance. You really, really, don't want to have something come loose.

If you're getting sexual stirring going on, gentle self stimulation is an option--or gentle assistance from your partner. Don't go into full acrobatics for a while.
Posted 3/11/2018 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.
You're doing fine. It's major surgery give yourself time to heal.

2-3 three months at least.

Hang in there,
Andrew
Posted 3/12/2018 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in the same boat, and all the above is good advice. Be happy for the mild erection as its a sign that some nerves are still connected. I've had the same stirring- kinda like a 1/4 erection.

As my prostate was a bit large (126g) and pushing into the bladder, surgery took 6 hours, but it seems the Doc did a great job with all the reconstruction. With the drains, I had 8 holes, the superglue just coming off now, and healing well. Wont have much scarring to show for my trouble.

I had my catheter out 4 days ago (14 days after surgery), and the tip of the penis is still a bit sore, more so when when I get the 1/4. I have some continence control, but am using 2-3 pads a day now. Doing my Kegels and already seeing some daily progress.

Trying to be good about not lifting or exerting, but it is not always easy for someone who was quite active and physical until 3 weeks ago. I will take all the good advice and just wait...
Posted 3/12/2018 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Ocean and Dutchtown—
You may feel remarkably good at 3-4 weeks, almost like nothing happened. That’s the point where I started overdoing it — lifting stuff I shouldn’t lift, driving for hours, and most memorably squatting to the floor at Kohl’s to help my wife look for the right shoe size. Bad bad bad ideas. Cost me several weekends of golf and gave me a serious pimp walk. You’re in the danger zone where your body’s telling you Go ahead, we’re feeling fine, and then you pay for it. There are a couple of guys on HW who shoveled snow and competed in the Olympics and didn’t pay a price, but I think for most of the RALP crowd overdoing it has had consequences. So, caution.
Posted 3/12/2018 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Walk as much as possible and then walk some more!



Larry
Posted 3/12/2018 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Saipan,
Thanks for the reminder. I am indeed feeling great, and impatient to do things, but will take all the advice and stay mellow for a while longer. Dr. said 6 weeks is ideal.
Posted 3/12/2018 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had open surgery and played golf three eeeks later full bore.
Bob
Posted 3/13/2018 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Great talking with you this afternoon.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 3/13/2018 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I had surgery 9 months back. As others have said I took it real slow with as much walking I could do to exhaust me. I would start using VED/trimix asap.
Here is a good URL’s to use as a benchmark for when/what after surgery

https://www.virginiamason.org/exercise-after-prostate-removal
Posted 3/13/2018 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
My advice is to take your time. As others have said, you had major surgery and your body needs some time to recover. At your age, statistics say you have a better chance of regaining good sexual performance, but again, you need to let your body heal.

You mentioned BM's. I hope the doc recommended a stool softener and/or a laxative such as Miralax. That will help things return to normal.

You are doing fine. Good luck.
Posted 3/14/2018 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the "take your time" messages. I had an erection with the catheter still in but didn't try "anything" for six weeks other than focusing on constant kegel exercises. To me it was like running in a new car - most people haven't got the patience for it, but there are demonstrable benefits for those that show some care and restraint. I've had as close to a perfect recovery as I could have hoped, no ED, no incontinence.

Good luck.
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