I found this site just that past December and after I had already completed the routine of analyzing the stripes off the tiger as to what I should do after being dianogsed with PC after my 11-01-06 biopsy. I found many topics very informitive and helpful and thought I would post a short message as to my situation that may be of some help to others I have noticed have just had or will be having surgery in the up-coming week.
I just had the DeVinci procedure completed this past Tuesday, January 9th 2007 so I am only 4 days or 96 hours post surgery and wanted to give those support in the up-coming week. As the doctor told me just before they wheeled me in at 11:00 AM on the 9th, this is still major surgery and it hurts. I was out of surgery before 2 PM and was awakened in the recovery room about 2:50 PM and on to my room at 4 PM. I was pretty much out of it but not a lot of pain and the nurses made sure to take care of any discomfort I was feeling quickly. They had me up at 7:30 for my first walk which did not go very far. Out the door of the room and maybe 5 feet down the hall at which point I was ready to pass out but the nurse and my wife helped me back and now time for an hour nap. Don't give up if you think it wasn't very good, as the nurse told me many can only stand next to the bed and that's it, plus it had only been 5 hours since the surgery.
They kept me comfortable that evening with pain meds and it wasn't too bad. They pulled the drain the next morning at 6:30 am and I ordered and ate a little breakfest at 8 AM. Key here is a little breakfast, a little oatmeal and some jello and then very little else. As stated the gas is the worst part. Up walking around at 9 am and passing a little gas. I was not able to walk all the much, a couple trips up and down the hall and then a nap. Again don't feel it's not enough.
about 2 PM after going over the instructions I was on my way home some 27 hours after the time they wheeled me in. But now it was a little bumpy 2 hour ride home, thank god during the pre-surgery appointment the surgery nurse told me to bring two pillows, one to sit on and one to hold over my belly, that helped. The first 48 to 52 hours were the hardest part for me, a litte pain and a lot of gas that was hard to find away to get moving. The rest of that night and the next day, Thursday I felt like that I had a good case of the flu, aching body, some pain, gas and no way to get comfortable no matter what I tried. This may just be normal or a little of my own fault too. I wasn't taking my pain meds any more then I had too and maybe should have taken a little more often. I now take one pill two to three times a day, morning, mid-afternoon and bedtime, things have been much better. In short it was at about the 52 hours removed from surgery that I all of a sudden felt better had an urge to eat and was able to get up and around much better. So in my case hang in there for the first 48 to 60 hours and it gets better. I find I now really love popcycles.
On to Friday my first allowed shower, I am feeling human again and tried attaching the leg bag for the day. I have noticed most here just like to keep the large bag on to capture urine around the house, but I have been much more comfortable with the leg bag for the daytime. Yes it does fill every 1 1/2 hours or so, but it makes me get up and around, which is good.
This is where I am at today and all things considered pretty good. The next week will bring a lot more information and results for me as the post surgery appointment is on the 18th, god williing these too will be good. This is a great board and while I am happy to meet a bunch of good people as you all seem to be, I wish it had been under differant circumstances. As I feel a little better I can go into my reasons for choosing the robotic procdure and surgery on additonal posts.
norskie
Age 48, PSA 6.22, biopsy 11-01-06
dianogsed 11-6-06, 2 of 13 cores 10% cancer, 2 others abnormal, Gleason 3+3 = 6
De Vinci Robotic Surgery 01-09-07
Post Op Scheduled 01-18-07