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My Robotic radical Prostatectomy

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User
Posted 15 Aug 2022 at 16:31

Hi,

Had my prostate removed last Thursday at Guys Cancer Centre, day 4 and feeling pretty good.The catheter is in for 14 days which is a small inconvenience for the price of getting rid of the cancer🤞.I have 5 small incisions and one larger one, where the prostate was removed.I appear to have had a tummy tuck 😂.Anybody thinking or worrying about the robotic procedure,please don’t.I would recommend researching your surgeon.I was origionally going NHS but was not to impressed with the surgeon.I asked for a date early July and was told no problem.When I got to July I was told it could be October.I was diagnosed in November.

I looked online for the surgeons with the most robotic operations, picked one, booked a consultation and 10 days later I had the op.His prognosis was like comparing chalk and cheese with the surgeon I met from the NHS.The surgeon I went to has done over 4000 operations and does 8 a week.I appreciate not everybody can go private and I consider myself very lucky that I had financial help.

Good luck to anyone about to have the robotic procedure wherever it may be and whoever it may be with.

 

User
Posted 15 Aug 2022 at 16:31

Hi,

Had my prostate removed last Thursday at Guys Cancer Centre, day 4 and feeling pretty good.The catheter is in for 14 days which is a small inconvenience for the price of getting rid of the cancer🤞.I have 5 small incisions and one larger one, where the prostate was removed.I appear to have had a tummy tuck 😂.Anybody thinking or worrying about the robotic procedure,please don’t.I would recommend researching your surgeon.I was origionally going NHS but was not to impressed with the surgeon.I asked for a date early July and was told no problem.When I got to July I was told it could be October.I was diagnosed in November.

I looked online for the surgeons with the most robotic operations, picked one, booked a consultation and 10 days later I had the op.His prognosis was like comparing chalk and cheese with the surgeon I met from the NHS.The surgeon I went to has done over 4000 operations and does 8 a week.I appreciate not everybody can go private and I consider myself very lucky that I had financial help.

Good luck to anyone about to have the robotic procedure wherever it may be and whoever it may be with.

 

User
Posted 15 Aug 2022 at 19:57
NHS/private doesn't make much of a difference. I had my RARP @ Royal Marsden with one of the top boys. He does both NHS and private. I didn't feel like I was getting second best.

I can see why you might want to pay for your surgery, if only to speed things up, but I can only talk warmly about the timely treatment I received in London.

User
Posted 17 Aug 2022 at 22:30

Hi Colin

Please be assured that you will be fine.  You will have a consultation 6 to 8 weeks after the RALP where you be told what the biopsy result is and whether they believe they got it all out 

About a week before that you will have had a PSA test and they will discuss that result at that meeting too. That will all give you some piece of mind hopefully.

As for the Op, you know nothing about it once you get to the anethetist. You'll wake up in recovery and after a couple of hours go to a ward overnight. All being well you will be sent home next day with a pack of blood thinning injections to self administrator and a catheter stuck up your bellend. It sounds worse than it is in practice. Just keep clean and buy a bucket for the drainage and to hold the night bag

I had my RALP in Stoke on 12th July. Went back to work from home on the 19th (I'm an IT Delivery Manager so not physically hard). Catheter was removed 27th July. Three weeks later I have been dry during the day for over a week and now just wear a Tena shield at night but so far it's not been needed.

The external wounds are almost fully healed and I assume I'm progressing internally too. I get an ache in my perineum when I've walked for over 30 mins or if I'm tired. I've read up about it and it won't be painful forever.  

Please don't worry.  Every NHS staff member has been a complete professional in my experience. You will suffer some discomfort and fatigue but I doubt you will hit real pain. What pain you do have will be controlled by Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and Codeine. 

Wish you well

Regards

James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by member 18 Aug 2022 at 12:28  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 05 Sep 2022 at 21:03
Hi Colin,

So just had my follow up consultation at week 4 and my cancer did breach the prostate.I am now T3aNx from T2a.My surgeon has said that there were clear margins and no lymph nodes were removed.He has told me that he considers me 90% cured.Fingers crossed for my future PSA tests.My incontinence is far better than I imagined,using 2 level 3 pads during the day and 1 level 2 pad at night.I am completely dry at night.My surgeon saved all the nerves on my right side and 70% on the left.As you will see from my experience with the origional Consultant who told me not to expect more than 20% nerve saving,definitely paid off for me searching out the right surgeon. 100mg Viagra tabs twice a week now to hopefully aid to get my erections back.My wounds have externally have nearly healed but I still get soreness from the internal wounds.I would have been happier if the cancer had not breached the prostate but hey ho,that’s the way it is and that’s what I have got to deal with.Wishing now that I had had the op 3/4 months ago but that was not possible.

Good luck with op.

User
Posted 15 Aug 2022 at 20:09

I saw the NHS surgeon 4 times and at each appointment he assured me that July was not an issue.I planned my whole year around that only to be told in late June that it could be October.When I asked who would be doing the operation he told me that it would be one of his “esteemed colleagues”.No name or indication how many ops his esteemed colleagues had done.Having been told by the same surgeon at the time of my diagnosis,not to wait to long to decide what route I wanted to go down,then to have to wait a year,I basically lost trust in him.I did not want to go private,my scans etc thru the NHS had been first class,no complaints.I could not afford to go private but I could not wait until October only to be told there may be another delay.I am now hoping the cancer was still contained within the prostate and I have a zero or close to PSA test in 3 mths.

 

User
Posted 19 Aug 2022 at 21:39

James ,

Thanks for reply and reassurances and what to expect  , I have had a cheeky look on my surgeon and found that he is actually an expert in his field. this has also given me a bit more of a confidence about the procedure .

wishing you a continued recovery and once again thanks 

 

Regards Colin 

User
Posted 06 Sep 2022 at 13:09
Clear margins and no lymph nodes is good news. Best wishes with your recovery.
User
Posted 14 Sep 2022 at 08:06

I was treated at Addenbrookes last year and underwent surgery last December. My journey can be found by clicking on my profile. 

 

For what it is worth, the 2 prostate cancer surgeons have a very good reputation and both have undertaken a high number of operations. The RT doctors have a good reputation too so you won't go wrong with whatever treatment you choose. The after-care service is excellent too.

 

By the way, it might be an idea to start your own thread so that you have all your questions etc in one place

 

Ivan

User
Posted 14 Sep 2022 at 08:38
Thanks Ivan.

Since my earlier post, I've found some research studies on the Addenbrookes RARP. (Not much sleep last night!)

All encouraging. I'll start a thread. Thanks for the tip.

Steven

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User
Posted 15 Aug 2022 at 19:57
NHS/private doesn't make much of a difference. I had my RARP @ Royal Marsden with one of the top boys. He does both NHS and private. I didn't feel like I was getting second best.

I can see why you might want to pay for your surgery, if only to speed things up, but I can only talk warmly about the timely treatment I received in London.

User
Posted 15 Aug 2022 at 20:09

I saw the NHS surgeon 4 times and at each appointment he assured me that July was not an issue.I planned my whole year around that only to be told in late June that it could be October.When I asked who would be doing the operation he told me that it would be one of his “esteemed colleagues”.No name or indication how many ops his esteemed colleagues had done.Having been told by the same surgeon at the time of my diagnosis,not to wait to long to decide what route I wanted to go down,then to have to wait a year,I basically lost trust in him.I did not want to go private,my scans etc thru the NHS had been first class,no complaints.I could not afford to go private but I could not wait until October only to be told there may be another delay.I am now hoping the cancer was still contained within the prostate and I have a zero or close to PSA test in 3 mths.

 

User
Posted 17 Aug 2022 at 20:45
"I am now hoping the cancer was still contained within the prostate and I have a zero or close to PSA test in 3 mths."

Amen to that!!

User
Posted 17 Aug 2022 at 21:26

Dr no,

thanks for the info on your surgery ,

I am going into guys on the NHS on September 2nd to have surgery to remove my prostate. I did however research my surgeon as you suggested and this has eased my fears a little. He is very reputable in this field . Although I will admit I’m still cacking it . 
will he get it all ? 
did they discuss after your surgery ? 

Good luck with your journey. 

User
Posted 17 Aug 2022 at 22:30

Hi Colin

Please be assured that you will be fine.  You will have a consultation 6 to 8 weeks after the RALP where you be told what the biopsy result is and whether they believe they got it all out 

About a week before that you will have had a PSA test and they will discuss that result at that meeting too. That will all give you some piece of mind hopefully.

As for the Op, you know nothing about it once you get to the anethetist. You'll wake up in recovery and after a couple of hours go to a ward overnight. All being well you will be sent home next day with a pack of blood thinning injections to self administrator and a catheter stuck up your bellend. It sounds worse than it is in practice. Just keep clean and buy a bucket for the drainage and to hold the night bag

I had my RALP in Stoke on 12th July. Went back to work from home on the 19th (I'm an IT Delivery Manager so not physically hard). Catheter was removed 27th July. Three weeks later I have been dry during the day for over a week and now just wear a Tena shield at night but so far it's not been needed.

The external wounds are almost fully healed and I assume I'm progressing internally too. I get an ache in my perineum when I've walked for over 30 mins or if I'm tired. I've read up about it and it won't be painful forever.  

Please don't worry.  Every NHS staff member has been a complete professional in my experience. You will suffer some discomfort and fatigue but I doubt you will hit real pain. What pain you do have will be controlled by Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and Codeine. 

Wish you well

Regards

James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by member 18 Aug 2022 at 12:28  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 19 Aug 2022 at 21:39

James ,

Thanks for reply and reassurances and what to expect  , I have had a cheeky look on my surgeon and found that he is actually an expert in his field. this has also given me a bit more of a confidence about the procedure .

wishing you a continued recovery and once again thanks 

 

Regards Colin 

User
Posted 20 Aug 2022 at 20:25
Colin

If your surgeon is one of those people who does 2-300 ops per year then you are going to be in good hands. Take note of James's advice post -op and you will be fine.

User
Posted 21 Aug 2022 at 10:31

Unless your consultant surgeon is called Crippen, Mengele or Shipman I wouldn't worry too much about checking up on them.  You don't get your hands on a Da Vinci robot unless you have the skills  and experience required.

 

 

Edited by member 21 Aug 2022 at 11:03  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 21 Aug 2022 at 15:31

I was thankful that I had a well respected surgeon for my RALP at UCLH London.

2 years ago now, preceeded by two attempts at Focal Therapy which didn't last.

______Grateful for the goodness of God________

User
Posted 05 Sep 2022 at 21:03
Hi Colin,

So just had my follow up consultation at week 4 and my cancer did breach the prostate.I am now T3aNx from T2a.My surgeon has said that there were clear margins and no lymph nodes were removed.He has told me that he considers me 90% cured.Fingers crossed for my future PSA tests.My incontinence is far better than I imagined,using 2 level 3 pads during the day and 1 level 2 pad at night.I am completely dry at night.My surgeon saved all the nerves on my right side and 70% on the left.As you will see from my experience with the origional Consultant who told me not to expect more than 20% nerve saving,definitely paid off for me searching out the right surgeon. 100mg Viagra tabs twice a week now to hopefully aid to get my erections back.My wounds have externally have nearly healed but I still get soreness from the internal wounds.I would have been happier if the cancer had not breached the prostate but hey ho,that’s the way it is and that’s what I have got to deal with.Wishing now that I had had the op 3/4 months ago but that was not possible.

Good luck with op.

User
Posted 06 Sep 2022 at 13:09
Clear margins and no lymph nodes is good news. Best wishes with your recovery.
User
Posted 14 Sep 2022 at 01:10

Thanks to all for the comments and advice on the topic of choosing treatment options.
I'm about to have the consultation about RARP at Addenbrookes, Cambridge. Anyone here made this journey? Any comments?
Thanks

Edited by member 14 Sep 2022 at 01:39  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 14 Sep 2022 at 08:06

I was treated at Addenbrookes last year and underwent surgery last December. My journey can be found by clicking on my profile. 

 

For what it is worth, the 2 prostate cancer surgeons have a very good reputation and both have undertaken a high number of operations. The RT doctors have a good reputation too so you won't go wrong with whatever treatment you choose. The after-care service is excellent too.

 

By the way, it might be an idea to start your own thread so that you have all your questions etc in one place

 

Ivan

User
Posted 14 Sep 2022 at 08:38
Thanks Ivan.

Since my earlier post, I've found some research studies on the Addenbrookes RARP. (Not much sleep last night!)

All encouraging. I'll start a thread. Thanks for the tip.

Steven

User
Posted 14 Sep 2022 at 08:51

The thing to realise is that most men of 60 have prostate cancer and if caught early enough it is highly treatable. And even if the cancer has escaped the prostate there are a number of treatments that can be used with the aim of stopping (But not curing) the cancer in its tracks. New treatments are being developed all the time so things are no where near as bad as they were 30 or so years ago.

 

It might be useful for you to know that Rod Stewart, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro (who was diagnosed in 2002 at age 60), Michael Parkinson, Jools Holland, Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry have all been diagnosed with prostate cancer and most if not all opted for surgery. So, you have joined a large club stuffed with well known names.

 

It would also be useful if you detailed your PSA and other grading results on your profile so that people can take those into account when commenting.

 

All the best

 

Ivan

User
Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 22:42

Just had my first PSA after my RP op,(11 weeks)  not so good, 0.16.Have a zoom call on Monday with my surgeon.Expecting him to suggest RT treatment.

User
Posted 26 Oct 2022 at 23:34
Yes - it would appear that your original urologist's conservative approach was probably correct. Don't let the surgeon delay with suggestions of waiting for another test - you need a referral to oncology now not in 3 or 6 months.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

 
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