Just had prostrate removed robotic surgery what can I expect during post surgery

Just had prostrate removed Thursday January 30th robotic sugery. Didn't realize how painful the cath would be. Also get leakage at insertion point when I stand up. Just wondered if this was normal and how long can I expect it to last. Any tips, advice would be so appreciated!

Post Edited (Prayfirst) : 2/1/2014 12:56:16 PM (GMT-7)

Yes, welcome to the other side.

You might find it more comfortable to sit in a soft, reclining chair -- including to sleep -- for the first 4-5 nights. It is much less uncomfortable on the abdomen to let the chair help you sit up.

You'll also want to have a nice soft cushion in case you sit on a hard surface, because the back end is usually a bit sore for the first couple weeks.

Try to take as many short walks as you can handle. Walking is the best thing as your recovery process begins.

Also, do NOT use any stairs for the first week or two and do NOTHING with any twisting/torquing motion. Do not lift anythihg more than 10 pounds (a gallon of milk) for the first month.

You'll find that it gets easier & better with each passing day. :)

Good luck,
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Firm erections now briefly happening in early mornings, 2 years post-op.

I was able to get some small tubes of lidocaine to take the edge off the tip discomfort. It's called EMLA cream (lidocaine 2.5%). It made a big difference over the 10 days of my catheterization.

Be sure to take a lot of stool softeners. Taking a dump for the first time post surgery didn't happen for me until the 5th day. And it was challenging with the surgical site pain, and not wanting to strain. So take those stool softeners.

Once the catheter is removed, you'll know what range of continence you'll have for the first few days. Whatever, you experience, make sure you do your kegel exercises after the catheter comes out. You can find good directions on YouTube.

Did I mention to take stool softeners?

Best of luck!
Brian

You should wait six weeks for the next PSA test.

Prayfirst,

Welcome like the others said walk, drink, and wait, start your kegels as soon as the cath comes out. I am 12 weeks post RALP, and still leak very bad, had my cath in a month. It gets better hang in there!