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Posted 1/20/2008 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have a 70 year old friend who stills works every day. about 5 weeks he found out he has prostate. His
Doctor told him he was too old for the DaVinci method. He is a pretty agile and energetic individual and like I said is very active. I don't think 70 is too old but what do I know. Uncle Dan
Posted 1/20/2008 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Uncledan,

I was 72 when I had open surgery. Came through it fine. Lots of docs use a phony age cut-off. Tell your friend to look around for another opinion if he wants surgery. We have to take charge of our recovery...

Jim
Posted 1/20/2008 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
It's not necessarily too old:

With improved surgical techniques a good surgeon can have his patient through surgery with few side effects, the main issues are the diagnosis and condition of the patient.

Posted 1/20/2008 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I think the question was asked about the Davinci only. You should know that patient is placed in a head down position for the DaVinci to help move things out of the way. This can be hard on a person. A second opinion would still ne a good idea or have your friend ask his doctor to gice a few details.
Tell your friend that the open surgery is still a very good way to go and a lot of us had that operation.
Posted 1/20/2008 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
My father had open surgery at the age of 67 and came through it just fine. Yes, it three years short of 70 but it's close enough.
Posted 1/20/2008 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I've had my open prostatectomy when I was 70. Now, about a year later I'm doing just fine and hope to continue to do so.

All the best to your friend.

 

Magaboo

Posted 1/20/2008 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
As Satchel Paige famously remarked, "Age is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter" Seriously, age is relative and for surgical purposes it is more a matter of physical condition rather than age.

I am surprised at the arbitrary cutoff of age 70 for Da Vinci, but as one reply states, the open surgery may be an option. For example, the famous heart transplant cardiologist, Michael De Bakey, had major heart surgery at age 98.

I'd get 2nd--or 3rd--opinions before writing off the surgical option.
Posted 1/21/2008 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Uncle Dan

Normally doctors don't recommend surgery at age 70 or older because some of the potential side effects can be more pronounced for older men.  Nevertheless, if your friend really wants robotic surgery, he should pursue it with other surgeons until he gets the answer he wants.  I was recently put in contact with a gentlemen who is 75, apparently in great health and he elected robotic surgery notwithstanding some of the negatives I pointed out to him. The key is for your friend to explore all options and then decide which option he feels is right for him.  Have him read my thread on proton therapy if he hasn't explored this option.  As we all know well today, if you are in good health and lead an active life, age is only a statistic.  Best of luck and good wishes to you friend.

Dave

Posted 1/24/2008 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
I gave my friend Dr Walsh's book to read and suggested several times for him to get on healingwell.com but I wasn't aware that he does not have a computer or I would have let him use mine or suggested the library if he wanted some privacy. Consequently he has opted for and started with another treatment. It appears a case where the Uro is skilled in the procedure he recommends. The same doctor suggested open surgery or freezing for me, but when I told him I wanted the DaVinci procedure he referred me to the doctor I used. Appears like another case where either a long practicing, or older doctors, or those in small towns where the machine is not available and the equipment price is prohibitive so they just won't recommend a different procedure. Uncle Dan
Posted 1/24/2008 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
Uncle Dan

I'm 68 and I am having the Davinci procedure at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans. No one said I was too old. This hospital is the only teaching hospital on the Gulf Coast for the Davinci procedure,--and only one of six teaching facilities for this new method,---in the world.

Incidently, my Dr ,--Richard Vangendendonck operated on our Famous Sheriff Harry Lee, and he was in his mid seventies,--and weighed at least 360 lbs.

Siberian (ken)
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