Long term effects of RARP urgery

Email this conversation Print this conversation

User

Posted 07 Oct 2024 at 09:55

Coming up to a year since my RARP and things moving in the right direction. I recognise that the surgery by robot is a major invasion of the stomach area but recently have experienced some pulling sensation on the right side of my stomach that can feel sore. Not brought on my lifting heavy objects, that is OK as long as you "engage" the pelvis floor, but just normal movements and twisting of the body. I try to keep fit but am wary of tearing anything inside. I have heard that some people experience hernia issues after RARP. Should I mention this at my annual review with Urology? Anybody else has similar? I guess the healing inside is done now and maybe some muscle is tight as a result.

User

Posted 07 Oct 2024 at 10:35

Hi Graham,

Apparently, it is quite common to get hernias after RARP, a couple of blokes on here have.

I'm 20 months post op. Occasionally, usually when I'm gardening, I feel a tight pulling sensation on the right lower abdomen that goes to my right testicle. Sometimes, I get pain in the same testicle when I cough. It seems to come and go and I haven't bothered to contact the doctor yet.

My wife noticed that as I sit up in bed I get a hard bulge protruding from higher up in the centre of my abdomen, which is a pity as it is the only hard protruding bulge I get nowadays. I took a picture of it and sent it to the doctor who said it was unlikely to be a hernia but diastasis recti, a thing that pregnant women get!

I know I've got a bit of a beer belly but dont look like I'm carrying a child!

User

Posted 07 Oct 2024 at 11:05

Thanks Adrian, I seem to have a bit of a belly and have done since the gas seeped after the op and put it down to just all the messing around done inside - the wife says its an excuse! I recently lost 2kg deliberately, as diagnosed as pre-diabetic, without stopping my couple of pints a week and pod is still there so assume a legacy of the op. Better than cancer though any day!

User

Posted 07 Oct 2024 at 16:17

Hi Graham I’m over 9 years on now. You can get adhesions after surgery where things heal to something they shouldn’t heal to. This was my case and still occasionally bug me now , sometimes when full or needing a wee or poo. My bladder neck was re-sectioned too which can cause immense pain if dying for a wee etc.

Always best to get things checked out or mention them , but in honesty things don’t always go back to normal. Good luck

Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.