How it feels first couple of weeks after robatic prostatectomy?

User

Posted 05 May 2023 at 13:32

I had my RP in September, aged 47. The doctor gave me six weeks off work and I took it all. I didn't leak after the op and could have gone back to my job sooner, but I was aware that there was a lot of internal healing going on and I also wanted time away from the stress of work. I tried to strike a reasonable balance between moving and resting, and above all I followed the directions of the surgeon, nurses, etc. They continually said to "listen to the body". Now I am back to running, travelling, basically exactly as before.

I found this video from UCLH quite useful before the surgery: UCLH surgical school

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 10:28

Hi guys - I am due to have robot-assisted RP by the start of July and I am 50. I totally get the idea of not rushing back to work but the big issue for me is that we have a holiday booked for the second week in August (booked in the days before I found out about the cancer, obviously!) It sounds like it will be about 6 weeks post op. I guess I won't be up to six hours in a car, Eurotunnel, etc but just wanted to check with people who know before I reluctantly cancel :-(

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 10:54

You should be ok at 6 weeks to travel by car, just don't overdo the exercise. You probably won't be continent by then so think about how you will manage that. Make sure your insurance is ok!

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 10:55

Good points certainly taken on board! Thank you.

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 10:57

Trentender, we all recover at different rates. I was back behind my desk after 5 weeks and driving all over the UK at 7 weeks post op. I did need to have a quick nap on a five hour return journey home. Make sure you speak to your insurance company before resuming driving. Presumably you will be able to have journey breaks.

A more recent post op information sheet (that I can't find) included advice on post op long car journeys as well as long haul flights.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 10:59

Thanks Chris. I guess it is just a case of waiting to see how things progress post op.

Up The Reds :-)

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 12:46

I'm now 5 weeks post op. If you had asked me last week about a holiday at 6 weeks I would have said no. Now I am not so sure but still get tired and have continence issues albeit improving. On balance at 6 weeks I would probably not want to travel - I have reservations about returning to work due to continence issues (now 2/3 pads per day and no change at night so improving). I was due to go to Greece island hoping at c.8 weeks post op and decided to cancel. I could not envisage a 3/4 hour flight, lugging luggage round and getting on / off boats. Ironically my post op assessment with surgeon has been moved to when I was due to be away (nearly 9 weeks post op). You need to aware your op could be moved - mine was to earlier! Everyone is different and recovers at different levels. I have tried to go down the slow / steady take it easy route and play the long game on the basis I have hopefully many years ahead toe enjoy holidays and lift. Short term gain for hopefully longer term gain.

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 12:48

Thanks I totally get that. I guess I will just have to react to how it all goes and stay flexible. Like you say, better to take it slow and have time later for the other stuff.

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 13:47

Hello, I’m just 4 weeks after my surgery and planning holiday next week. Feel good but sometimes a bit fatigued. Definitely okay for holidays and many hours in a car. I guess everyone is different but I started walking 5km a day after 1 week and I think this has massively helped my recovery time. Richard

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 14:06

Thanks for the info. I am a really keen walker anyway so hopefully I will be able to get out and stretch my legs as soon as I can after the surgery. I hope you have a great holiday!!

User

Posted 18 May 2023 at 14:17

Gosh that’s good going. I was struggling with 1,500 steps a day a couple of weeks post surgery. I hit a new PB yesterday of 8,500 steps! Last week I was at 6,000 and that knackered me. Those steps are over a day and normally comprise 2 walks getting slightly longer. Pre op I would get up to over 20,000 + steps a day on a regular basis.

User

Posted 21 May 2023 at 17:44

Hello Kev

Thank you for putting your experiences on here . I was only diagnosed a few days ago and it does take over your mind morning till night . Being a very active and i would say reasonably Fit Farmer , my thoughts are go for the operation and take the cause of the problem away just incase it returns having gone through the radiotherapy option then it makes removal a bit more tricky . Presuming everyone goes through this and what if that and what if this happens.( My Gleason score is 3+4 and all contained within the prostate). Huge choices to make but encouraged by some of your comments.

User

Posted 21 May 2023 at 18:16

I also had a Gleason score of 3+4. I was not offered a choice of radiotherapy given my age (54) but I live in Belgium so may be slightly different protocols. As it turns out surgery was definitely the right option as the tumour had already progressed into the seminal vesicle. Good luck with what ever you decide.

User

Posted 12 Mar 2024 at 00:46

I am 57 and now 2 weeks post RALP surgery

The catheter was not fun but used having it to take as much rest as could. Had a little blood passing the catheter during bowel movements. It came out 10 days post surgery.

Been out having reasonable walks on the flat over past couple of days interspersed with rest.

drinking plenty of fluids (water and cranberry juice)

small manageable leaks during day and dry overnight with by getting up several times for a pee.

Have restarted pelvic floor exercises.

good luck with it all. Lots of good advice on these forums.

User

Posted 12 Mar 2024 at 08:28

Hi Daniel

You are very unlucky to get this at such young age but because of your age you can expect to make full and speedy recovery. I had my surgery at the age of 72 and I am lucky to be writing this 12 years later! I was out with my wife for a coffee three days after the surgery! One thing they don't tell you is that sometimes urine leaks past the catheter which can be rather disturbing. I won't repeat all the good advice you are getting from others here. Good luck.

'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.' Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

User

Posted 21 Aug 2024 at 01:30

RP 4 weeks Post Op , had alot of bleeding from penis after bowel movements , was told it would clear out and not to worry

as long as I can pee

Presently post op week 5 and the bleeding as stopped

Feeling great otherwise , minimal urinary incontinance ,planning to start work

User

Posted 19 Nov 2024 at 16:03

Hi all is there anyone on here with any details/experience about post op recovery from the single port Da Vinci machine? Id be greatful for any (positive) information, I am having surgery next week. Many thanks

User

Posted 19 Nov 2024 at 17:38

Hi mate - in terms of positives, just go at your own pace in the recovery part, don't expect too much of yourself in terms of getting 'back to normal' quickly , rest up when you need to and do what the docs say.

Good luck with the op!!

User

Posted 21 Nov 2024 at 13:44

Hey Gus,

I tried to message you directly but as I've not posted enough public messages yet I'm unable to. Once I get that clearance, I can message you more details!

Anyway, I'm about a week in following a round with the single port Da Vinci machine at Guys - and doing good. There's a single 3 inch incision across my waistline, with a smaller additional one close by; both were glued rather than stitched and I feel like they are healing well (I'm aware there's more going on under the surface, which is easy to forget). I'm certainly finding my energy levels ebb and flow - needing a nap in the afternoon. But I have only been home 7 days (I had 2 nights in hospital). About 4 days in I thought I would walk to the corner shop, only to turn back 3 doors down! It definitely wipes you out. The last week with the catheter was awkward but bearable and it came out yesterday. Pain management has been paracetamol and ibuprofen - nothing more, post surgery. I'm in pads now but only a bit of leakage here and there (although it does feel like more). I've been told not to start any pelvic floor stuff until next week, at which point I should be in a better place in terms of leakage control!

Hopefully I'll be able to pm you directly soon but I trust that helps?

Cheers,

Mark

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