Hi all. I thought I'd post another update now that I am 3 weeks post RP surgery (as of tomorrow). I'm happy to report that overall, I'm doing really well and am glad I went through with it.
Here's where I'm at by category to make it a bit easier to read since this is so long:
Pain - I still have a few minor aches but nothing major. I generally feel good. The lower portion of my abdomen still feels a bit "tight" and the right side where the larger removal incision is, is still slightly tender but not bad. No need for any pain meds. On a slightly more concerning note, I've been having on and off pain up inside my rectum since the surgery. It's a dull pain but it can be intense at times for a brief second or two. It's always very short lived - like a pinched nerve type pain. Happens sometimes when I sit or strain for any reason, particularly when on the toilet. I don't think my rectum was damaged per se, but maybe got a bit bruised (??) during surgery being it was next door neighbors with my prostate. I Googled "rectum pain after prostate surgery" and apparently it's not uncommon although I don't think I've seen anyone mention it here? I'm curious if any other RP folks around here experienced this during healing? Like I said, it comes and goes so I'm not overly worried at this point. Hopefully it will fade with time.
Incontinence - Almost none! For the most part, I feel like I have excellent control. I can sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, laugh, sneeze, sleep and stay completely dry. However, if I push or strain (i.e., when passing wind) there's a good chance there will be rain in the forecast. That seems to be my only trigger though, and as I am becoming more conscious of this, I am becoming more careful of how, when and where I "relieve" myself which all in all is keeping me nearly 100% dry. In fact, during the day, when I'm around the house I'm not even using pads anymore. My surgery was "Retzius sparing" (which I still don't entirely know what that means) but my surgeon said that it would help me get dry quicker. Looks like he delivered. I am also doing Kegel exercises (with Squeezy app) 3 times a day and was also doing them for about 5 or 6 weeks prior to surgery.
Urination - I'm making it a topic because it seems a bit different post surgery (at least for me). Not worse. Not better. But...Before surgery, when it was time to go, I would stand at the toilet, let go, and it would take a few seconds maybe before I would begin to urinate. Almost like I could feel the pee making its way through the pipes so to speak before exiting. Now, I let go and BAM! It happens almost immediately. It's like they installed "Insti-flow" inside me. This ties into why I leak a little if I strain. Speaking of flow, that part is improved over pre-surgery. Strong stream and no start and stop action anymore. I guess I can pee more efficiently now, but it happens so fast that sometimes when I'm done, I feel almost like I should have to go more even though I don't. At times I'm not sure if I'm fully emptying my bladder or not. On a separate note, I should also mention that I continue to have "nocturia" (getting up in the middle of the night to go) as I did prior to surgery. I had hoped this would go away with the prostate being removed but it hasn't. I'm still getting up roughly every 2 hours at night. I plan on bringing it up to my urologist at my next appointment.
Erections - Good news here. Very, VERY happy in this area! The equipment still works!!! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones?? Even though part of my right side nerve bundle was removed (~30%), I can still stand at attention when called into action! Sometimes it does seem to take ever so slightly more effort to get there than pre-surgery, but I can still get a completely 100% full erection and maintain it until the job is done. I'm also getting morning salutes most days (same as pre-surgery) which I know is a normal and healthy sign of good blood flow. My doc did prescribe Cialis (5mg) when my catheter was removed to use daily but I haven't been using it. I took one the first day after catheter removal because I just assumed I would need it but I didn't like the way it made me feel. I just felt a bit off-kilter for the better part of the day but turns out I don't actually need the stuff anyway. Therefore, I'll stick with good old fashioned physical therapy instead... :)
Orgasms - I'm bringing this up because this is something I was concerned about going into surgery. I'd read mixed things online. Some men claim to have lost all ability to orgasm (anorgasmia). Others state weak orgasms. Some say no different, while others say it's even more intense than pre-surgery. So where would I end up? Well, it's still early but I have taken a few swings at bat already (only solo missions) and have had mixed results so far. My very first one was disappointingly weak, but I was also nervous trying the first time because I feared that climaxing might hurt being early in the healing process. Fortunately, it did not hurt at all but was definitely weak in that the "spasm" (normally fluid pumping) part seemed lacking in intensity. The pumping feeling was there and lasted the normal (pre-surgery) length in time, but it just felt "soft" if you will. Hmmm...let me try to put it like this... Normally (pre-surgery) each individual "spasm" or "squeeze" would (should) feel like the firm handshake you would get from a large statured bulldog CEO that wants to intimidate you. Instead, each felt more like the half-assed soft squeeze you would get from a young nervous-nelly intern on their first day. I think that's because there was no fluid being pumped out anymore :(. Then in subsequent wromps, things changed a bit. Maybe for the weirder... A couple of times now, I've experienced "climacturia" during orgasm, in which I did get to experience the pumping out of fluid (and a healthy amount of it) - except it was urine! And when I say I pumped it out, I damn near hit the ceiling on one occasion!! The thing about it though is THOSE orgasms felt AMAZING! I don't know what to think about this. On one hand, when it happens, well.. it's gross, on the other it feels like I'm back to normal. I wonder what other folks out there who have experienced this thought of it and how best to handle it with your OH. I've been holding off with mine temporarily as I re-aquaint myself - with myself first. I think I'm going to need some industrial strength condoms.ðĪŠ
Energy - Still down a bit but improving steadily. Before surgery I was very physically active. I was doing medium level weightlifting four times a week and also running 2.5 - 3 miles four times a week as well. Obviously, I'm not doing any of that now and won't even start early training again for another few weeks (doctor's orders). First week home with catheter in, I wasn't even walking much as I found the catheter excruciating. Once the catheter came out things starting improving quickly. I started going for short walks (less than 1 mile) in both the morning and evening and steadily increasing in length each day. This morning I walked over 2.5 miles in one shot. My energy does seem to drop a bit in the afternoon so I've been taking afternoon naps for about an hour most days though yesterday and today I didn't need it. I worked from home last week full time (minus those naps) and am heading back into the office tomorrow part time for this week.
I believe that covers everything. Again, overall I am feeling well and am very happy with my results so far. I don't think I could ask for much better. My first post-op PSA test is scheduled for October 3rd. Fingers crossed...
Edited by member 08 Sep 2024 at 22:08
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