Robot assisted prostatectomy advice please

There is some discomfort of course, mainly the shoulder pain after 48 hours caused by the CO2 gas that they inflate your abdomen with - but regular paracetemol will make that bearable.

When you come around from the op, there is no pain. You'll sleep through the first night and they will have you up and around the next day. You just lie there and examine your penis with the catheter coming out of it thinking how the hell did they get that up there LOL

Likely to be discharged later that day or the next and you learn how to walk around without catching the catheter tube - that can hurt so you learn quick.

Then it's just a case of getting used to the tube/bag and keeping it all clean and sterile. Night bags are added to handle the extra flow so that's your life until the catheter is removed after 7 days or so - that doesn't hurt either.

Almost every RARP goes according to plan - there can be complications and those people come on forums like this for advise so it makes it look like there are more than there really are. But don't worry, even they get fixed!

Just look forward to getting that cancer ridden lump out of your body - it's a pretty good feeling afterwards.

Good luck and we are all here to answer questions or concerns.

Hi Mathew,

It's exactly a year ago I had a robotic prostatectomy.

I was lucky and found the whole process a doddle. I was in at 9am and out by 3:00pm the following day.

Having said that some lads have complications, but I think they are very much in the minority.

If I were you I'd take in some wet wipes to keep clean down blow clean. Ear plugs and a packet of your favorite biscuits.

When you wake up you'll probably find that your belly feels a bit inflated because they pump your abdomen with gas to make the op easier. Because they have to cut a bit of the urethra out, then stitch it back together, it may shorten the length of your penis.

They fit a catheter which you'll have for a couple of weeks. It feels a bit strange but is not a problem.

Once its removed, you'll probably have incontinence problems and erectile dysfunction for a while.  Recovery varies enormously from person to person.

I'll try and attach a link to how I got on.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30214-Almost-a-year-on-after-RARP

Best of luck mate.

Edited by member 14 Feb 2024 at 11:46  | Reason: Not specified

- a bucket to stand the night bag in

- waterproof sheet (Dunelm do a cotton backed one) or puppy training pads from your local pet shop

- a stock of men's incontinence pads (hospital may send you home with a few but not usually enough)

- underpants one size larger than you usually wear (not boxer shorts - you need something that will support your testicles & hold the catheter in place)

- soft tracksuit bottoms / joggers in a dark colour, preferably with an elasticated waist rather than drawstring

- ask the hospital whether you will be given any local anaesthetic gel (instagel or similar) to take home with you for the eye of your penis. If not, try to buy some before you go in

M, on the day of the op my wife took me to the hospital at about 7.00am . We had a quick chat with the surgeon and then my wife went home. There was a delay due to a problem with the theatre air scrubbers. I was still having doubts as they were fitting the spinal block on the anesthetic table,I even asked if it was too late to change my mind. Nearly ten years on an eventful journey but I would do it all again. I woke up in the recovery room and had the best two slices of toast I have ever had. 

All pretty straightforward,I stopped an extra night in hospital. The following is a link to pre and post op tips and there is another link in one of my posts. Don't forget a packet of your favourite biscuits for after the op 

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29907-RP-surgery-tomorrow#post287726

Hope all goes well. 

Thanks Chris