reality of post op surgery ?

GG says take it easy! You'll be attached to that darn catheter for 10 days or so, and it's ANNOYING! Irritating and a pain in the u-know-what to drag around the place. But apart from that, you don't want to go and wreck all that delicate repair work! As for the pain level - it was totally manageable with over the counter meds. The main thing is just to move slowly and carefully - no rip, sh!t and bust! Two weeks after the op, GG was dashing around town as though nothing had never happened - including lugging heavy gear around (much to the horror of his surgeon!).
You will be absolutely fine!

I had other complications from my surgery. You can read about them if you click on the link in my signature.

Post-op pain was not a problem for me. I didn't take any pain pill. It was slightly uncomfortable to cough early on, but with a pillow it was fine. Gas wasn't an issue either as I started passing it the night after my surgery.

I had no issues with the catheter, or any pain in that area. My testicles and the lower ab. were pretty swollen for at least a month or so. If I left the area alone there was no pain.

I was essentially dry when the catheter was removed, and I hope all men are equally as fortunate.

A few other small irritating things developed in the first few weeks. None were debilitating though.

My younger brother just had surgery about 10 days ago. He has recovered remarkably well. He is walking about 3 miles a day, and was on the golf course a couple days ago. He just hit some chips and putts, but says he felt fine. I told him to take it easy for at least a few weeks. What I'm saying is everyone is different, so hope for the best, but don't be surprised if a few things come up.

Good luck.

island time said...

NKinney said...

A report titled "Quality of Life after Radical Prostatectomy" helps give appropriate insight. Data was collected a minimum of 12-months post-surgery. You already know the stats of the functional aspects of post-RP (incontinence, ED, etc.) which were re-reported in this study...but what was more interesting were the psychological aspects.

Norm....

can you post a link to this study? I've been googling a half hour. I'm having difficulties finding psychological studies on QOL....it's mostly physical stuff. I'm interested in this

Best
Dave

Sure. Sorry, I guess I thought I embedded the link, but must have overlooked that additional step.

Here's the New England Journal of Medicine article: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa021483#t=article

All of the data I previously posted is from Tables, 2, 3 or 4.

BillyBob,
My RARP compared to yours was the worst surgeriy of all I had in my life. Will just mention nasal surgery with Septoplasty, turbinate resected and passage to frontal sinus open with breaking ethmoid bone and sinus with hard splint in my nose for 7 days, TURP surgery, spermatocele removal from right testicle, hemorrhoids surgery, T&A etc.
RP was most painful, painful to the point that pain meds could not control the pain. I had severe stabbing pain thruout of my abdomen for 8 days being 8/9 on the scale of 10.

Denis, I had my RALP 4 weeks ago so the memories are still very fresh. My first memory after waking up was a strong urge to pee, even though I had a Foley catheter. I remember telling the nurse in the recovery room, but don’t remember what she said haha. I was on various pain meds for the 24 hours or so I was in the hospital but I honestly think I could have done without them if I had wanted to. The doctor sent me home with a prescription of Percocet and I took them for a few days because I had them, but again, I think I could have made it fine with ibuprofen. As others have said, the pain really isn’t all that bad but the catheter irritation is annoying.

A few pieces of advice:
- start doing kegels now before your surgery to begin strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and continue them after your catheter is removed. I really think it has helped me avoid major incontinence issues
- when you leave the hospital they will give you the big catheter bag that hangs on your bed. This is good for night time, but during the day you will want a smaller bag that straps to your leg so you can move around. Ask the nurses and they will probably send you home with one
- move as much as possible. I was walking around my neighborhood with the catheter bag strapped to my leg and was walking a mile about 10 days after surgery. Start small and build up distance each day

Good luck with your surgery. Anything we can do to help, just ask.

Jeff