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Practical preparation for RP

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User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 08:50

Hello all,

So OH had his appointment brought forward and we saw the consultant yesterday. He has decided on RP and is now on the waiting list - not sure how long it is at the moment.

I am looking for a list of practical things we can do to prepare and any useful bits of information for aftercare. Things like mattress protectors, pads, pillows, comfortable clothing etc. 

If anyone has useful tips, things they have found helpful, things they weren't prepared for that would be amazing.

Thank you

 

User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 20:19

Hi Vicky S.

Sorry that you and your O.H. find yourselves here.

Firtly, your O.H. should allow plenty of time for rest and recovery.  I was very tired for the first week or so after surgery.

Yes, comfortable clothing while your O.H. has the catheter in situ. is really important.  And a mattress protector will give peace of mind, in case he should have any accidents with the night catheter drainage bag.  (It only happened to me once).  Also, the tip of my penis became a little sore with the catheter.  Sometimes it seemed to 'drag' when I moved or simply changed position on a chair.  Having some anaesthetic gel like Lignocaine can help.  Ask the hospital or District Nurses for some.

Also, my bum / lower pelvic area ached after a few days.  I don't know whether it was just from sitting around so much,  or the direct effects of the surgery.  But a cushion really helped, as did having my feet raised when seated. 

I would also recommend your O.H. starts to practice Kegel exercises (for lower abdominal muscles) now, so that these muscles will be stronger by the time of the surgery and when the catheter is removed.  This can aid quicker recovery from incontinence (if that proves to be a problem - it isn't always).  Have a look on Youtube for guidance as to how to perform Kegels.  There is also an App that you can download called the 'Squeazy App' which can prompt you when your next exercise is due.  (Other, similar apps are available).

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

JedSee

User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 22:33

Vicky

Both your O.H. and yourself will have fears and concerns about what to expect following RP. I had my RARP just before Christmas, coming home Christmas Eve. Time from diagnosis to operation was about 8 weeks.

Prior to the operation we bought a mattress cover and a small supply of incontinence pads. I found the catheter uncomfortable but tighter fitting underwear helped keep the tube in place. Nonetheless there was small amount of leakage which the pads were useful for. As with JedSee, the tip of my penis became sore but a barrier cream provided by a Community Nurse relieved this. 

Comfortable clothing is a must - joggers were both practical and comfortable. 

I wasn’t given any advice on pelvic floor exercises but once the catheter was removed used the Squeezy app to assist in daily exercise to recover bladder control. We are all different but I found the exercises helped and am now have 99% control. 

One of the biggest problems was feeling helpless: no heavy lifting, no helping with jobs around the house and needing assistance with getting dressed (compression socks are a challenge!). 

You’ll find a lot of helpful advice on this site, and don’t forget you will have support from specialist nurses. 

User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 23:00

Vicky, a packet of his favourite biscuits for when in hospital, ideal for that first night when he starts feeling hungry in the early hours of the morning. 

As mentioned something just in case the eye of the penis gets sore. Instilagel and hydrocaine are both gels designed for catheter insertion and maintenance, they are antiseptic, anesthetic and lubrication.  Not seen lignocaine before but that seems to have similar properties. Don't use vaseline or petroleum jelly, Many UK institutions advice against using vaseline in the urethra.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 06 May 2023 at 12:17

Bucket for the night catheter bag.

these were genius for easy access (checking/draining) of day catheter bag. Very easy when out and about. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canterbury-Mens-Tapered-Pants-X-Large/dp/B077PGYLGV/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?

also these for supporting everything and also good with pads:

https://amp.direct.asda.com/george/men/underwear/hipster/D2M1G10C11S6,default,sc.html

take a media player to watch during the night has its hard to sleep and great way to pass time. Plus a charge pack for mobile decides and long usb lead. Maybe headphones. 

for the bed some waterproofing although didn’t need as much as had assumed. 

Hope surgery all goes smoothly. It’s quite daunting but much easier than expected. But do follow the guidelines in terms of what you can and can’t do post surgery as pays longer term dividends. Daily walks increase blood flow and this healing 😎

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User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 20:19

Hi Vicky S.

Sorry that you and your O.H. find yourselves here.

Firtly, your O.H. should allow plenty of time for rest and recovery.  I was very tired for the first week or so after surgery.

Yes, comfortable clothing while your O.H. has the catheter in situ. is really important.  And a mattress protector will give peace of mind, in case he should have any accidents with the night catheter drainage bag.  (It only happened to me once).  Also, the tip of my penis became a little sore with the catheter.  Sometimes it seemed to 'drag' when I moved or simply changed position on a chair.  Having some anaesthetic gel like Lignocaine can help.  Ask the hospital or District Nurses for some.

Also, my bum / lower pelvic area ached after a few days.  I don't know whether it was just from sitting around so much,  or the direct effects of the surgery.  But a cushion really helped, as did having my feet raised when seated. 

I would also recommend your O.H. starts to practice Kegel exercises (for lower abdominal muscles) now, so that these muscles will be stronger by the time of the surgery and when the catheter is removed.  This can aid quicker recovery from incontinence (if that proves to be a problem - it isn't always).  Have a look on Youtube for guidance as to how to perform Kegels.  There is also an App that you can download called the 'Squeazy App' which can prompt you when your next exercise is due.  (Other, similar apps are available).

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

JedSee

User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 22:33

Vicky

Both your O.H. and yourself will have fears and concerns about what to expect following RP. I had my RARP just before Christmas, coming home Christmas Eve. Time from diagnosis to operation was about 8 weeks.

Prior to the operation we bought a mattress cover and a small supply of incontinence pads. I found the catheter uncomfortable but tighter fitting underwear helped keep the tube in place. Nonetheless there was small amount of leakage which the pads were useful for. As with JedSee, the tip of my penis became sore but a barrier cream provided by a Community Nurse relieved this. 

Comfortable clothing is a must - joggers were both practical and comfortable. 

I wasn’t given any advice on pelvic floor exercises but once the catheter was removed used the Squeezy app to assist in daily exercise to recover bladder control. We are all different but I found the exercises helped and am now have 99% control. 

One of the biggest problems was feeling helpless: no heavy lifting, no helping with jobs around the house and needing assistance with getting dressed (compression socks are a challenge!). 

You’ll find a lot of helpful advice on this site, and don’t forget you will have support from specialist nurses. 

User
Posted 07 Apr 2023 at 23:00

Vicky, a packet of his favourite biscuits for when in hospital, ideal for that first night when he starts feeling hungry in the early hours of the morning. 

As mentioned something just in case the eye of the penis gets sore. Instilagel and hydrocaine are both gels designed for catheter insertion and maintenance, they are antiseptic, anesthetic and lubrication.  Not seen lignocaine before but that seems to have similar properties. Don't use vaseline or petroleum jelly, Many UK institutions advice against using vaseline in the urethra.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 08 Apr 2023 at 08:11

Thanks everyone for the useful information - really helpful and appreciated 👍 

Vicky

User
Posted 04 May 2023 at 11:32

all good advice as im off for surgery next week thank you all

User
Posted 06 May 2023 at 12:17

Bucket for the night catheter bag.

these were genius for easy access (checking/draining) of day catheter bag. Very easy when out and about. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canterbury-Mens-Tapered-Pants-X-Large/dp/B077PGYLGV/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?

also these for supporting everything and also good with pads:

https://amp.direct.asda.com/george/men/underwear/hipster/D2M1G10C11S6,default,sc.html

take a media player to watch during the night has its hard to sleep and great way to pass time. Plus a charge pack for mobile decides and long usb lead. Maybe headphones. 

for the bed some waterproofing although didn’t need as much as had assumed. 

Hope surgery all goes smoothly. It’s quite daunting but much easier than expected. But do follow the guidelines in terms of what you can and can’t do post surgery as pays longer term dividends. Daily walks increase blood flow and this healing 😎

 
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