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Surgery this week

User
Posted 19 May 2024 at 21:14

So I am less than 2 days away from surgery and my anxiety levels are high

After being diagnosed in December it has felt like a long time and I have been distracted by work but now it feels imminent 

I an apprehensive about the catheter, I have heard that it may irritate me and that you can apply a cream to help but not sure exactly what

I did post a few messages in the forum back in January and read a few threads but my coping mechanism in recent months has been getting on with work and home as normally as possible

I am not sure how long I will be off work for after surgery, I am a teacher and I will take as long as I need to recover myself before I try to go back

I am trying to not get too anxious but I do feel emotionally fragile about the journey

 

 

User
Posted 19 May 2024 at 23:57

Hello! I was the same before surgery. There really wasn’t anything to worry about as it wasn’t a lot different than having my tonsils out tbh apart for the catheter for two weeks which quickly got used to. It’s does irritate. Get the nurse to mouse a leg clip on each thigh. I moved the pipe and bag to other side every 24hrs and kept irritation to end of penis to a minimum as didn’t need to apply ointment which can introduce infections.

Some cramping in my shoulders day 2/3 from the co2 that gets displaced from inflating the abdominal cavity for surgery but I just laughed it off while giving the nurses banter with another guy from here that had surgery at the same time/venue ðŸĪŠðŸ˜ĩ‍ðŸ’Ŧ😎

aside from that I found full length zip sports trousers really useful to access the catheter bag. A bucket is super useful to stand the night bag/stand in overnight. I got sanitising wipes etc and at home got some waterproof bed covers and slept on my back for a bit until I got used to things. 

try not to worry too much as once you are out of theatre you will wonder why you did :-)

if you aren’t in a private room take some noise cancelling headphones etc and if possible a media as I didn’t sleep first night with nurses checking on me every hour for first 24hrs. Netflix is your friend :-)

of and snug (Asda hipster pants) pants are super useful  to keep everything in place along with pads etc the snug pants keeps the pipe and your bits from moving around too much.

constipation can be an issue….if they don’t provide it get some lactulose from the pharmacy and follow instructions or clinical advice as don’t take too much. I found a post op diet high in fibre (seeds/nuts/veg/soups) and fresh veg and fruit etc super useful to be me back to normal. Don’t eat too much and avoid necking a huge steak or pizza shortly after which could slow things up. And keep well hydrated. A GI consultant mate said a table spoon of linseeds in food or water with small amount of soaked chia seeds works wonders for most.

Additionally you will almost certainly get pink urine colour in the bag at times.  Nothing to be concerned about as the retaining balloon inside the bladder irritates the lining causing a small amount of bleeding. I had my urine flow stop at points and went into a mega panic. Thankfully the guys on here told me it’s just scabs that form around the balloon in the bladder and partially block the holes to the catheter. Just moving around a bit and onto my sides fixed it and keeping hydrated. Also found walking helped it along. It’s amazing how quick the bag fills up and really appreciated proper bladder function when the pipe was removed. 

 

 

 

Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 08:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 00:06

Sean

I wore snug but not tight elasticated short type underwear, it stopped the catheter from moving around to much, I also had a pad in my underwear to pick up any bypassing of urine.

Just in case the catheter makes the eye of the penis sore, instilagel or hydrocaine are available from a pharmacist without prescription at most chemists except Boots, who require a prescription. The above gels are designed for catheter insertion and maintenance they contain , anesthetic, antiseptic and lubrication. The hospital may give you some, it is a couple of pounds a syringe, you may not need it. Slight leaking of urine and blood from the penis can happen even with a catheter in, particularly when passing a motion.

Get a packet of your favourite biscuits for a midnight snack in hospital.

A bucket is often suggested, but medical advice is that the catheter should be supported not just left in the bottom of the bucket. I have never had a night bag leak, but did once disconnect the night bag before turning the leg bag tap off. Get an extra thigh strap from the hospital, attach the night bag tube to the leg bag outlet then attach the night bag tube to your ankle with the strap, it helps reduce the risk of pulling on the joints. PJ bottoms also help save any tangles. 

Hospital should provide ear plugs and eye mask.A ward can be very noisy at night. The guy opposite me had the noisiest carry bag in the world.

Try to avoid constipation

The following conversations has lots of ideas.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29021-Practical-preparation-for-surgery#post278042

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

 

Thanks Chris 

Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 07:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 07:04

Hi Sean,

I can’t offer any advice over the surgery as it wasn’t an option for me. However I wish you good luck and I’m sure you will be just fine. Of All the guys I know in my Maggies group,  none regret deciding that surgery was the best option for them. You’re bound to be nervous but just try and chill as best you can. And the one bit of advice I’ve learned from my friends is to be patient with your recovery.

Good luck,

Derek

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 09:06

Hello mate.

I found the actually op a doddle. Admitted one morning, discharged the next afternoon.

However, this brief hospital visit, belies what a major operation it is. I found the catheter wasn't a problem. It was the side effects that took, and are still 16 months later, taking some getting used to.

Of course, everyone's experience of the op and dealing with recovery is different.

What's kept me going is thinking how much worse life would have been had I not had radical treatment.

Unfortunately I'm unable to comment on it's affect on employment issues as I was retired at the time.

Best of luck.

Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 09:10  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 23 May 2024 at 10:25

I had the op on Tuesday afternoon - it went as planned according to my surgeon.

I am back home after one night in hospital. I was worried about coming home as it was reassuring having the nurses handy but they wanted me out 😀

 

Quite sore around the stomach area and it’s difficult to sit up and down and my back is aching - managed some sleep last night but not managed to have a ðŸ’Đ yet - had some laxative this morning but nothing happening yet.

Just getting my head around the catheter - that’s going to be in for 7 to 10 days.

I can tell I need to take it gently which is unlike me.

Hopefully the pain will ease off in the next few days as I would like to try and get a few steps in and some gentle exercise.

I am looking at least 4 weeks off work as I can’t drive until then and I teach about 30 miles from home.  I would like to get back to work before the summer holiday but I will se how I get on.

 

Edited by member 23 May 2024 at 10:27  | Reason: Not specified

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User
Posted 19 May 2024 at 23:57

Hello! I was the same before surgery. There really wasn’t anything to worry about as it wasn’t a lot different than having my tonsils out tbh apart for the catheter for two weeks which quickly got used to. It’s does irritate. Get the nurse to mouse a leg clip on each thigh. I moved the pipe and bag to other side every 24hrs and kept irritation to end of penis to a minimum as didn’t need to apply ointment which can introduce infections.

Some cramping in my shoulders day 2/3 from the co2 that gets displaced from inflating the abdominal cavity for surgery but I just laughed it off while giving the nurses banter with another guy from here that had surgery at the same time/venue ðŸĪŠðŸ˜ĩ‍ðŸ’Ŧ😎

aside from that I found full length zip sports trousers really useful to access the catheter bag. A bucket is super useful to stand the night bag/stand in overnight. I got sanitising wipes etc and at home got some waterproof bed covers and slept on my back for a bit until I got used to things. 

try not to worry too much as once you are out of theatre you will wonder why you did :-)

if you aren’t in a private room take some noise cancelling headphones etc and if possible a media as I didn’t sleep first night with nurses checking on me every hour for first 24hrs. Netflix is your friend :-)

of and snug (Asda hipster pants) pants are super useful  to keep everything in place along with pads etc the snug pants keeps the pipe and your bits from moving around too much.

constipation can be an issue….if they don’t provide it get some lactulose from the pharmacy and follow instructions or clinical advice as don’t take too much. I found a post op diet high in fibre (seeds/nuts/veg/soups) and fresh veg and fruit etc super useful to be me back to normal. Don’t eat too much and avoid necking a huge steak or pizza shortly after which could slow things up. And keep well hydrated. A GI consultant mate said a table spoon of linseeds in food or water with small amount of soaked chia seeds works wonders for most.

Additionally you will almost certainly get pink urine colour in the bag at times.  Nothing to be concerned about as the retaining balloon inside the bladder irritates the lining causing a small amount of bleeding. I had my urine flow stop at points and went into a mega panic. Thankfully the guys on here told me it’s just scabs that form around the balloon in the bladder and partially block the holes to the catheter. Just moving around a bit and onto my sides fixed it and keeping hydrated. Also found walking helped it along. It’s amazing how quick the bag fills up and really appreciated proper bladder function when the pipe was removed. 

 

 

 

Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 08:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 00:06

Sean

I wore snug but not tight elasticated short type underwear, it stopped the catheter from moving around to much, I also had a pad in my underwear to pick up any bypassing of urine.

Just in case the catheter makes the eye of the penis sore, instilagel or hydrocaine are available from a pharmacist without prescription at most chemists except Boots, who require a prescription. The above gels are designed for catheter insertion and maintenance they contain , anesthetic, antiseptic and lubrication. The hospital may give you some, it is a couple of pounds a syringe, you may not need it. Slight leaking of urine and blood from the penis can happen even with a catheter in, particularly when passing a motion.

Get a packet of your favourite biscuits for a midnight snack in hospital.

A bucket is often suggested, but medical advice is that the catheter should be supported not just left in the bottom of the bucket. I have never had a night bag leak, but did once disconnect the night bag before turning the leg bag tap off. Get an extra thigh strap from the hospital, attach the night bag tube to the leg bag outlet then attach the night bag tube to your ankle with the strap, it helps reduce the risk of pulling on the joints. PJ bottoms also help save any tangles. 

Hospital should provide ear plugs and eye mask.A ward can be very noisy at night. The guy opposite me had the noisiest carry bag in the world.

Try to avoid constipation

The following conversations has lots of ideas.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29021-Practical-preparation-for-surgery#post278042

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

 

Thanks Chris 

Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 07:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 07:04

Hi Sean,

I can’t offer any advice over the surgery as it wasn’t an option for me. However I wish you good luck and I’m sure you will be just fine. Of All the guys I know in my Maggies group,  none regret deciding that surgery was the best option for them. You’re bound to be nervous but just try and chill as best you can. And the one bit of advice I’ve learned from my friends is to be patient with your recovery.

Good luck,

Derek

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 09:06

Hello mate.

I found the actually op a doddle. Admitted one morning, discharged the next afternoon.

However, this brief hospital visit, belies what a major operation it is. I found the catheter wasn't a problem. It was the side effects that took, and are still 16 months later, taking some getting used to.

Of course, everyone's experience of the op and dealing with recovery is different.

What's kept me going is thinking how much worse life would have been had I not had radical treatment.

Unfortunately I'm unable to comment on it's affect on employment issues as I was retired at the time.

Best of luck.

Edited by member 20 May 2024 at 09:10  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 20 May 2024 at 09:08

These are all good suggestions.

One thing that I would add - which I haven't seen given  here in any of the lists - is one of those cheap toilet rim risers for after your prostatectomy.  It relieves the pressure from even the slightest natural strain.  A lot is happening in that area following the procedure.  It is understandably in shock and the less pressure you can apply the better.  It will help in the battle of inconstancy.  Certainly it will help in preventing your initial stage from deteriorating in terms of capacity and hold.  

All best wishes.  

User
Posted 21 May 2024 at 11:00

Thinking of you mate. I hope everything is going or has gone well. 

User
Posted 22 May 2024 at 11:46

Hi Sean

 

Hope it all went well yesterday? Let us know how you are getting on.

Ian.

User
Posted 23 May 2024 at 10:25

I had the op on Tuesday afternoon - it went as planned according to my surgeon.

I am back home after one night in hospital. I was worried about coming home as it was reassuring having the nurses handy but they wanted me out 😀

 

Quite sore around the stomach area and it’s difficult to sit up and down and my back is aching - managed some sleep last night but not managed to have a ðŸ’Đ yet - had some laxative this morning but nothing happening yet.

Just getting my head around the catheter - that’s going to be in for 7 to 10 days.

I can tell I need to take it gently which is unlike me.

Hopefully the pain will ease off in the next few days as I would like to try and get a few steps in and some gentle exercise.

I am looking at least 4 weeks off work as I can’t drive until then and I teach about 30 miles from home.  I would like to get back to work before the summer holiday but I will se how I get on.

 

Edited by member 23 May 2024 at 10:27  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 23 May 2024 at 10:37

Hi Sean, 

There's no place like home. Just checked my notes and it was three days before I had my first poo. Hopefully the laxatives kick in soon. I had a sore swollen belly following my op and took paracetamol for the pain.

Hope you make a steady recovery.

Kev.

User
Posted 23 May 2024 at 10:50

Hi Sean,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad everything went well. Sometimes it doesn't, but we never tell anyone that. 😄

I went 10 days without a poo. I bet my breath stank. I had to telephone the GP to get some extra strong laxatives.

When I eventually went, it was like the world had fallen out of my bottom!

User
Posted 23 May 2024 at 11:24

Great news that surgery is done. Just take it easy and gently get some steps in. I exploded day 2 evening after taking some lactulose I took in. The nurse told me off for self prescribing lol I gave her banter for the rest of my stay ðŸ˜ĩ‍ðŸ’ŦðŸŦĒ😂

 

User
Posted 30 May 2024 at 11:14

Thanks for posting Sean I haven't a date yet for my surgery, it'll be in June I think. Your post triggered off some useful information I would not of known. Thanks to the rest of you guys too.  

 
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