What should my husband expect from the robotic surgery and afterwards?

   Hi ~ Maria Teresa,   As reply postings come in to you in reference to your questions here….     ...take time to click on the 2 nd locked thread at the top of our main page where threads are shown…   the name is listed below.     Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints, and Topic Thread Links   Scroll down quite a ways…. and here you will find a few of many “JOURNEYS”… located here and many more throughout the 62 pages.    Look at the signatures when you click on a thread and most will tell you what type of surgery this member had.   Pull what will help you in your journey…. to make the path much smoother.   We are all here for you!!!    Continue to stay close… In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy     This “ Hug ” is for “ You ” !!! Keep it close…

Hi Maria,
I had my surgery on Feb 16, 2007. It was performed at City of Hope in L.A. Since I was from out of state we did all of the preliminary evaluations remotely. I arrived at City of Hope on the 14th of Feb. We went through several pre-op tests and signed the necessary paperwork. The test included EKG, bloodwork, CT scan and consultation. The surgery was set up for the 16th. I went in at 9:00am on the 16th. Walked into the pre-op room. After gown change I was given an IV for antibiotics. The anesthesiologist then came in and gave me a questionaire. At this point my wife was allowed in and she helped with the Q&A's and took my wedding band. The surgeon then came in and told me it would be about 20 minutes. By 11:00am I was wheeled into the OR fully aware of my surroundings. the Anesthesiologist then started talking to me as he hooked up the anesthesia. He showed me the room and the robotic system and asked me to describe it. I remembering saying yes I see it. But nothing else until he awoke me 2 hours later. I barely remember him telling me to lift my head chin to chest as they moved me from the operating table to a gurney. I vaguely remember moving through a hallway. I remember feeling a little sore but I was on moriphine. After 1 hour in post op they wheeled me to my room. At this time it was 5:00 and my wife was at my side. I had as many as 12 visitors that night and by 10:00 I asked to be removed off the moriphine. I was given vicodin and rested until 4:00am. At that time I was awakened by the nurse and he had me take my first walk. about 100 feet. VERY slow. Yes a catheter is necessary for this procedure and it was not much more than a nuisance. That day I had close to 30 visitors (this was kinda where I used to live and I had alot of family and friends here). Looking back I could have left that day but was tired and stayed until 7:00am the next day. I was in and out within 48 hours. I left with the catheter in place and was instructed on how to care for it. by this time I had already spoken to many here at this site and read quite a bit and knew that I was just relax at my sisters house 30 miles from the hospital for a week. I could have come home sooner but was content to stay with family. I also knew that the surgery would likely go well but that the next visit with the doctor was the most important. That did not go as well. I found out I was stricken with advanced disease from the post-op pathology report. A note about the week after the surgery, I was in good spirits and was walking cath and all about a mile a day expanding it every day. Before I met with the doctor for the path results I had the catheter removed. Not pleasant but brief (2 seconds...I chose to forget). I was able to pee and was staged for the doctor. He recommended that I see an oncologist and told me that I was lucky that one of the top dogs was in Nevada. In fact 10 minutes from my house. I was able to see him within a week and began my post op treatments for advanced disease. My issues with incontenance were brief. Just a week after the catheter removal and I was 99.9%continant. A week later 100%.

My doctors, many of them, have told me that I was resilient to side effects pretty much all the way through the treatments. They told me that my good attitude was a large part of it. Even when I was told about the Stage III part I have not let it run my life, but rather I have kept control through education and staying upbeat.

Good luck and be positive.

Tony

Hi Maria, I had the Da Vinci robotic surgery last week and am recovering well. I found a site that may help you that has real patient feedback from many patients concerning issues before and after prostate removal surgery. Perhaps this will help: http://www.malecare.com/prostate_cancer_surgery_patient_hints.htm The following hospital web site has specific pre- and post-operation instructions: http://www.prostatecancerrobotic.com/robotic-prostatectomy-at-urology-centers-of-al.php Here is also a video here about the surgery: http://www.brynmawrurology.com/McGinnisDaV.html My experience in terms of physical condition and recovery is very good after the surgery. I've already had my post-surgery pathology report and it was good as well. I wish you all the best, Idaho Post edited to activate link….     Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 8/10/2007 12:55:58 AM (GMT-6)

Maria,

I had my robotic surgery on November 1, 2006.  I was originally scheduled for 10:00 AM but I was called the afternoon before and told that the 8:00 AM patient had a complication and I was moved up.  The hospital where I had my surgery was two hours from my home.  I arrived at about 7:00 AM and within 15 monutes was taken back to a surgery holding room with my wife.  Changed into the gown and was hooked up to an IV and another IV connection was made in the other arm.  I was asked by the technician to explain why I was there and what procedure was being done.  This question was posed at least three or four times by different people.  The antithesiologist(sp?) came in and talked to me.  The surgical assistant then came in and introduced herself and said that she would be making the incisions.  She showed me where they would be and then wrote her initials where the large one would be made above my navel.  I was told in the pre-op meeting that I would be given a drug that would not put me to sleep but I would not remember what happened after the drug was administered until I woke up in recovery.  They came in about 7:50 and told me they were going to give me the drug and I kissed my wife and as they said I did not remember anything until I woke up.  This was remarkable because they tell me that I responded to them and helped them get me on the surgical table.  I woke up in recovery at about 11:30 AM and immediately recognized that I was having a bladder spasm.  I told the nurse and she gave me a suppository and a pill and the spasm immediately stopped.  My mouth was already dry and this just made it like cotton.  I did not have any pain.  They gave me a device to suck on to make sure my lungs were working right and to prevent pneumonia.  I was feeling very good and sucked the little pea right where they told me.  Around 12:30 PM they said I was ready to go to a room but one was not available and I stayed in recovery until about 2:00 Pm when one came open.  My wife was obvious upset because I was in recovery longer then they said I would be.  I got to the room and then had another bladder spasm which was taken care of with a pill.  That was the last one that I had.  I felt terrific with no pain but with considerable abdomen soreness.  It felt like I had done 100 situps.  I was up and walking around 8:00 PM and could not sleep so i walked the hallways most of the night.  The JP drain was removed about 1:00 PM the next day and I left the room at 2:00 PM exactly 24 hours after getting there from surgery.  They gave me pain pills to take if I needed them but I only took Tylenol which did the trick.  We stayed at a local motel that night for precautionary reasons and then went home the next morning.  The day after I came home I walked about a half mile and then two days later about a mile but that was pushing it. 

That is about it.

Tamu

Hi Maria Teresa,

You're certainly welcome.

I know bluebird has posted a nice set of links on a thread at the top named "Prostate Cancer Resources..." as well. This may help you get information on several other topics.

We will certainly keep your family in our prayers!

- IdahoSurvivor

Hi again, Maria Teresa. I had to write again just to tell you that in reading the others' posts, I realized how much I had actually forgotten about my surgery and post op. Amazing what your brain supresses. I too remember waking up and having a really bad bladder spasm. I think I was being moved from OR table to gurney. I just remember pleading with "them" to let me go to the bathroom, not realizing of course that I already had a catheter in place! I'd forgotten that . . . Morphine drip took care of pain. I had several much more minor spasms when I first got home, more like urgency to go rather than real pain. I also remember having some irritation at the tip of the penis while the catheter was still in. I'd forgotten that as well. Removal of the drain tube was uncomfortable and felt really weird as it extends across your whole abdomen. When the nurse pulled it out, it felt like a snake being pulled out inside your belly. It's over in 2 seconds. Removal of the catheter was a bit painful, but again it was over in a flash. The dr said that it wouldn't hurt. When it was out, I accused him of lying. He said, "I didn't lie. It didn't hurt me a bit!" All the little things one forgets as you turn your attention to getting back to a somewhat normal life!