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Post-op pain and comfort

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Posted 1/19/2007 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Just got home from my radical prostatectomy.  Seems the surgery went well and the doc is happy.  I'm looking for suggestions about techniques to minimize the various pains I've got.

 

Specifically, any ideas about the soreness from the main incision, or for the pain in the rectum when sitting down?

 

Any good advice on stretching or not to speed up the recovery?

 

 

 

 

Posted 1/20/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome OSPC! I hope everything went well with your surgery! It's been a while since my RP but as I rememember, pillows, lots of pillows, I sat on a pillow on a recliner, and also put a pillow across my stomac and held it there alot of the time. But you have come to the right place!! There are lots of guys here who have just recently had surgeries and I'm sure they will be answering you soon. Please stick around, this is a great forum!
Your friend, Pete
Posted 1/20/2007 1:20 AM (GMT 0)

Hello ospc,

Welcome to the group. The post surgery soreness will subside gradually over the next few days, and may take as long as a week or more. In the mean time get the 2 softest pillows in the house; one to sit on, and the other to grip to your stomach in case you sneeze or cough. I'm sure the doctor already told you not to lift anything heavier that a 1/2 gallon of milk, but it bares repeating. Did your doctor send you home with any pain meds? If so take them as prescribed; you need not be a hero. 

If your doctor recommended getting up to exercise walking is one of the best ways to speed up your recovery. Your body has gone through quite a shock, and will need protein to help heal itself. Good luck, and I wish you a very speedy recovery.

Glen

Posted 1/20/2007 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ospc, I'll be back with a special welcome but for now pop our link below in our signature to see our journey. Take care and I'll be back!!!!!! :) Lee & Buddy
Posted 1/20/2007 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome ospc,

From your post I am guessing that you had the Da Vinci since you mentioned main incision. I had mine back on November 1st and I am probably not a good reference for you as I had little pain with the incision and Tylenol took care of what I had. The only pain I had was when I sneezed and as has already been mentioned grasping a pillow to your abdomen when you sneeze helps a lot. The perineum pain will gradually go away until it is a discomfort over the next week. Im my case the perineum pain became worst on about the third day after surgery and then rapidly got better after that. I know that the more I walked the better the pain would get. Sitting on a pillow helps a lot but also sitting in a recliner and leaning back helps the most. The perineum pain is worse when sitting straight up. Again, Tylenol took care of my pain but I think I was one of the lucky ones and had very little pain. Good luck and let us know how you progress.

Tamu
Posted 2/1/2007 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
OSPC    &   Loved Ones,                       A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!   I know we can “all” make Your Journey smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined! You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey with you!     It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     We are all here to help you travel the path with prostate cancer.       KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!     We invite you to visit our personal thread in the signature area below. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue your search for answers…   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You”   It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way.     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints for New Members... Hope this helps you! :)
Posted 2/1/2007 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi OSPC,   We hope our posting on 1-20 helped!!! If you had a chance to visit our personal thread you found out that we also had RRP and used a donut pillow (still do!!).   And taking your medication so the pain wouldn’t get out of control.   Our thoughts are with you and hope your recovery is going well… Please let us know how you are doing!   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy  
Posted 2/1/2007 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
When you have pain and the pain is building, take pain medication early rather than later, as sometimes the medication has less effect on the pain after it reaches full tilt.

The first 2 or 3 nights when I was home after my surger, I woke up with some of the most incredible pain I've ever felt. It felt like my abdomen was literally on fire. I think it was a combination of bladder spasms and perhaps some small amount of urine was leaking and running up to my incision area. Other than these instances, my post-op pain wasn't really that bad.
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