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Posted 2/8/2014 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Im 40 with a rx of pc. Im having surgery in about 2 weeks. How bad is the surgery amd about how long will I be off work.
Posted 2/8/2014 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I just turned 61 and had surgery almost three months ago. I am in very good shape, BMI of 25.5 and no other health related problems.

I had daVinci robotic surgery, in surgery early afternoon and released the next morning around 10 am. I was out of work for 3 weeks, but could have gone back after 2 weeks.

Surgery wasn't bad, for me the pain from surgery could be controlled by Aleve and Tylenol, except the second and third night I took one Oxycontin due to pain in the shoulders from the carbon dioxide gas used to inflate your abdomen migrating to the shoulder area.

I had a catheter for 10 days, first 5 days weren't bad, especially you weren't bothered by getting up to pee during the night. The second 5 days the catheter became uncomfortable at the end of the penis due to abrasion.

I was 98% continent on the removal of the catheter and no E.D.

Any regrets on my surgery, NO!

If you are in good health you shouldn't have any problems.
Posted 2/9/2014 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Bamafam

Sorry to hear that you have PCa so young!!! I assume you have given it a lot of thought and chose the treatment you think is best. If you have chosen an excellent surgeon, you should be ok to go back top work after the catheter is removed which is usually 10-14 days. As far as work, no heavy lifting for about six weeks. Incontinence varies from person to person. Good luck!
Bob
Posted 2/9/2014 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
I took 2 weeks off from work after Robotic Surgery and open surgery might require more time off. Others can tell you more about that. I began walking as soon as I got home and within 2 months I was almost back to my regular exercise routine. Keep us posted and wishing you the best.
Michael
Posted 2/9/2014 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hey bamafan, sorry you need to be here but glad you found us. This is a really helpful forum, so ask away! There are lots of people here with a wide spectrum of experiences. Ask, vent, inquire, whine, whatever you feel you need we're here to help.

It will help us help you if you can post a little more about your diagnosis, gleason score, how many positive cores, PSA history, that sort of thing.

Best of luck with your treatment plan. There aren't always clear directions on what to do, and many situations have a number of possible choices.
Posted 2/9/2014 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Bamafan-

I had my surgery 10 months ago at age 41. How did you learn that you had PCa? (It is rare for doctors to perform routine PCa tests on guys as young as us.)

The surgery itself is easy. Lay down on a table, anesthesiologist gives you something to make you "comfortable", and wake up without a prostate after a deep 2 hour nap. The following 7-10 days with a catheter and sore abdomen can be a bit rough, but was tolerable for me.

You should speak to your surgeon about post-surgery planning, like what to expect and how long to be off of work. Certainly you'll be told to stay home for at least 2 weeks.

For more details on my experience with surgery and recovery, visit the links below in my signature.

-Gedman
Posted 2/9/2014 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
I went into ER with gallstones and had blood in my urine. Then the test begun.
Posted 2/9/2014 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Bamafan, I had my prostate removed 11 days ago. Feel free to ask me anything, if you want my email let me know. I am beholden to everyone in this community. They helped me through this and I want to offer anyone help. I am 44 years old. A bit overweight, six one, 250 and a self admitted mama's boy when it comes to being sick and in pain. I am a machinist , I don't do a lot of heavy lifting, but I am taking 4 weeks minimum off work. I really don't understand short term disability, but I plan on taking as much time as my employer is required to give me. The biggest mistake I made so far was over doing the pain meds in the hospital and when I got home. And not guzzling water. I went 10 days without a bowel movement because of the pain meds and had a horrible experience with constipation.
Posted 2/9/2014 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
You don't say if you are having open surgery or laproscopic.  I had DaVinci at age 57 (almost 9 years ago).  I was otherwise physically fit and healthy.  In the hospital 2 nights 'cause one of my incisions was weeping.  Very little pain, used one or 2 Vicodan. Had the procedure on a Sunday, catheter out the following Sunday morning and was back at work that same Sunday afternoon (Realtor).

I did have a clogged catheter (blood clot) a couple days after the operation.  It was very painful and required a trip to the emergency room but I don't think that is very common.

At 40 you are definately on the youngest finge of this group.  I hope you have researched all of your options.  If you are strong and fit you should do well.  Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Posted 2/9/2014 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
How did your wives take the news of the possible side effects. I am having the Davinci.
Posted 2/9/2014 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
My wife took it just like me. Total come apart.
Posted 2/9/2014 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
When the urologist told my wife and I, my wife was on the verge of crying but she held it together. For me, I was surprised, both urologists previously said I didn't fit the profile for having PCa, but when he told us I took took the news very well. I guess I researched the subject prior to the news, and a few of my friends at work has been through this. As the doctors said, it isn't like you were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Bottom line for me was don't harp on the subject, just get over it and continue with your life.
Posted 2/10/2014 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I've got a little Ziggy Mirror that says "Happiness is being too dumb to know what to worry about!" Fits me pretty well. My wife was WAAAAAY more worried than I was. But I was right. Three days after RALP surgery in October, 2013, I was at a college football game 160 miles away, cheering like crazy. 5 days after surgery I was back at work (I'm a software sales guy so driving is as physical as my work gets) because I felt fine. I had no real incontinence, no ED. I was INCREDIBLY lucky. There is no way, I know of, to tell in advance how it will be for you, but you should know that it POSSIBLE to have to have this be a relatively minor inconvenience. Take this very seriously, but be not afraid.
Mikey
Posted 2/10/2014 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Bamafan,

I trust you are doing some "Pelvic Floor (PF) exercises" before the Op. Given the reasoning behind the pre-op PF exercises, I also made sure that I had a "hard-on" every morning.

I had 4 weeks to practice; but it definitely helped with my ED recovery. One of my learned friends explained sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous responses; in particular the parasympathetic response for sexual arousal.

Its a new journey, be gentle with yourself!

-
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