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Positive stories about robotic prostratectomy

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User
Posted 13 Mar 2025 at 17:33

Hi,

I just wondered whether there are any men in their 50’s who have positive stories about their robotic prostratectomy?

My husband has just been diagnosed with PSA 4.8 Gleason 7 (3+4), grade 2  multifocal prostrate cancer. Largest area in biopsy 5mm. There doesn’t look to be any lymph node involvement and he hasn’t been referred for a bone scan.
He may be having his operation in 2 weeks and I just wondered if anyone has any positive feedback to try and make us all feel a bit more positive.

Thank you so much. 

Edited by member 13 Mar 2025 at 18:57  | Reason: Forgot to add PSA level

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 01:53

Hi Fernie,

There's plenty of positive stories here, and I'm one of them. I was diagnosed last May at the age of 51. My psa was 12.7, T3a, 18mm tumor. Biopsy came back gleason 4+5 + cribriform. Things were looking pretty dismal at first. Let's just say last summer I was utterly miserable. Don't worry though, I'm getting to the positive part...:)

In August, I had RARP. Had catheter for 9 days and was 99% dry immediately following removal only needing a light pad for maybe 6 - 7 weeks. Been 100% dry since.

Being my cancer had broken through the capsule, my surgeon had to remove approximately 30% of my right nerve bundle. When he told me this (after the op), I was certain my sex life was over...but I ended up being totally wrong!! The day after my catheter was removed, I decided to do...shall we say a light "test" of my "equipment" and it still worked perfectly!! Despite the partial nerve removal I have not had any troubles getting erections or having orgasms. No pills or pumps necessary. 

Want more positive? When my histology report came back, they DOWNGRADED my gleason from 4+5 w/ cribriform to 4+3 with no mention of cribriform. 

Lastly, so far my psa is undetectable. 

Now, all that being said, as Jim234 put it, I don't want to sugar coat the experience of having surgery either. I did have some setbacks along the way. For starters, the morning of my 2nd day in the hospital (day I was supposed to go home), I thought I was ready to do some walking so I asked a nurse to unhook me from my ivs and let me do so. I was feeling good and walked a few laps around the hospital (even though I was told only to do ONE), and then suddenly out of nowhere I got very hot, dizzy and passed out cold. When I came to, I had a full 10 person emergency response team scrambling around me. Of course, they made me stay an extra day in the hospital and did a litany of tests on me but everything came back normal. Basically, I simply overdid it too soon. The thing with general anesthesia is some of it can stay in your system for a while and can re-release with physical activity causing dizziness or even fainting. Plus, you lose a significant amount of blood from the operation which can have the same effect as well. Moral of the story is your hubby will have to take it easy for at least a few weeks post surgery. On the positive side, I'm a runner and was able to start moderate jogging again just 6 weeks after surgery.

Another thing I'll mention just to be aware of. Probably for about the first 2 months I did regularly experience what's called climacteria, which is when during orgasm, urine is expelled. It's not something that's discussed much around here as it is a bit of an icky topic, but I'm happy to say that it 100% resolved itself on its own and orgasms are now completely dry which frankly, my wife and I prefer over the pre-surgery days.

I wish you and your husband the best of luck. I'm sure he will do fine and before you know it will be posting a positive story of his own. In preparation for surgery, he should be doing kegels which will help him regain full continance as soon as possible. If either of you have any other questions in the meantime, feel free to ask.

Mike

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 06:42

Thank you Mike so much. That is such a detailed and reassuring post that I will pass on to my husband.

User
Posted 12 Apr 2025 at 08:45

Have a look under the localised cancer thread, there's my story and others there. 

This should answer most questions you have, and if you need more just shout.

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User
Posted 13 Mar 2025 at 19:22

I was 52 when I had RP. My diagnosis was pretty similar to your husband's except my legion was 14mm.  T2a  Gleason Score 7 3+4.

My experience of the hospital/op  was brilliant. Never had an op before and the staff walked you through everything they wanted you to do. I was treated as a day patient, so in hospital first thing, 5 hour op and the home for about 5.

Following the removal of the catheter I was dry at night from day 1 with just the occasional leak during the day. I was completely dry after a month. I was able to achieve orgasm fairly soon after the catheter was removed although it has taken 2 years to get my errections back to close where they were pre-op. 

I am still cancer free 2.5 years after my op and only being tested once a year for any changes.

Don't want to sugar coat it though...

First week post op was a shocker, I am a fit guy but I could only manage walking to the corner and back.  First couple of nights I was in some level of pain because air gets trapped in your body cavity.  However I did not take many pain killers which of course would have helped. Once the catheter was removed it was all downhill. I was back up long distance walking after 8 weeks.

Everyone is different, you don't mention it the op is nerve sparring. Mine was but as you have read above it's not a guarantee that everything will be back to normal immediately.

My advice to your husband is do pelvic floor exercises pre op and again once the catheter is removed. Might also be worth getting a pump to keep the penis healthy post op and post catheter. Don't over do it post op. Take advice from the medical professional on all the above. The PCa nurses on here are absolutely wonderful if you need to ask them anything.

User
Posted 13 Mar 2025 at 20:23

Thank you so much for replying. It will be a nerve sparing operation, so very similar to yours. He hasn’t ever had a general anaesthetic, so I think will be in for a bit if a shock for the first few days afterwards. 

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 01:53

Hi Fernie,

There's plenty of positive stories here, and I'm one of them. I was diagnosed last May at the age of 51. My psa was 12.7, T3a, 18mm tumor. Biopsy came back gleason 4+5 + cribriform. Things were looking pretty dismal at first. Let's just say last summer I was utterly miserable. Don't worry though, I'm getting to the positive part...:)

In August, I had RARP. Had catheter for 9 days and was 99% dry immediately following removal only needing a light pad for maybe 6 - 7 weeks. Been 100% dry since.

Being my cancer had broken through the capsule, my surgeon had to remove approximately 30% of my right nerve bundle. When he told me this (after the op), I was certain my sex life was over...but I ended up being totally wrong!! The day after my catheter was removed, I decided to do...shall we say a light "test" of my "equipment" and it still worked perfectly!! Despite the partial nerve removal I have not had any troubles getting erections or having orgasms. No pills or pumps necessary. 

Want more positive? When my histology report came back, they DOWNGRADED my gleason from 4+5 w/ cribriform to 4+3 with no mention of cribriform. 

Lastly, so far my psa is undetectable. 

Now, all that being said, as Jim234 put it, I don't want to sugar coat the experience of having surgery either. I did have some setbacks along the way. For starters, the morning of my 2nd day in the hospital (day I was supposed to go home), I thought I was ready to do some walking so I asked a nurse to unhook me from my ivs and let me do so. I was feeling good and walked a few laps around the hospital (even though I was told only to do ONE), and then suddenly out of nowhere I got very hot, dizzy and passed out cold. When I came to, I had a full 10 person emergency response team scrambling around me. Of course, they made me stay an extra day in the hospital and did a litany of tests on me but everything came back normal. Basically, I simply overdid it too soon. The thing with general anesthesia is some of it can stay in your system for a while and can re-release with physical activity causing dizziness or even fainting. Plus, you lose a significant amount of blood from the operation which can have the same effect as well. Moral of the story is your hubby will have to take it easy for at least a few weeks post surgery. On the positive side, I'm a runner and was able to start moderate jogging again just 6 weeks after surgery.

Another thing I'll mention just to be aware of. Probably for about the first 2 months I did regularly experience what's called climacteria, which is when during orgasm, urine is expelled. It's not something that's discussed much around here as it is a bit of an icky topic, but I'm happy to say that it 100% resolved itself on its own and orgasms are now completely dry which frankly, my wife and I prefer over the pre-surgery days.

I wish you and your husband the best of luck. I'm sure he will do fine and before you know it will be posting a positive story of his own. In preparation for surgery, he should be doing kegels which will help him regain full continance as soon as possible. If either of you have any other questions in the meantime, feel free to ask.

Mike

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 06:42

Thank you Mike so much. That is such a detailed and reassuring post that I will pass on to my husband.

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 08:23

Hi

unfortunately I am slightly north of 50 😂,but have recently had RARP in January.

The progress in the surgical technique used is incredible ,one night in hospital ,virtually no need for painkillers ,I anticipated needing Morphine but the odd Paracetamol was all that was needed.

Everything the Dr said prior to the operation has been spot on ,he said that the most significant pain would be in my shoulder due to the gas they inject in you to inflate your stomach,this only lasted 2 days.

I am now 6 weeks after surgery and feeling really good ,the incontinence and ED vary for each person ,I use 3 or 4 pads per day and have just started using the vacuum pump ,there are mixed views on the site regarding the pump but in my case I find it really useful .

My stomach scars are fairly modest .

My overall experience has been very positive so I wish your partner Good Luck on his Prostate Journey.

I am sure that you will both find this site very useful 👍

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 10:36

Hi Ferni

I had robotic prostatectomy at the age of 72, 14 years ago and I am still here fit, well and enjoying life. 

Tell your husband, with a little bit of luck, he will be fine; robotic surgery has had a good track record since my time. Lot of recovery will take place as a result of a supportive wife and in his mind.

Good luck.

 'Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.'                    Richard Feynman (1918-1988) Nobel Prize laureate

 

 

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 16:41

Hi Fernie,

I am 50 years old and had the op in November. Check out my profile for a more detailed storyline but, to summarise, 4 months later and things are looking good.

 

It is a process and everyone’s path will be different. Your husband is blessed to have such a caring and considerate partner - it takes time. Wishing you both all the best.

 

Mark

 

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 18:04

Hello Fernie, yes, mine is a positive story. I had a diagnosis similar to your husband's and I chose robotic surgery over 10 years ago. I'm happy to say the surgery was a complete success and 10+ years later, I am still "cancer free". Please check out my profile.

If your husband does decide that robotic surgery is or him my over-riding advice would be to i) have the surgery at a leading hospital in robotic surgery and ii) have the surgery carried out by a top surgeon who has carried out hundreds of robotic operations. Flexi

User
Posted 14 Mar 2025 at 22:00

Thank you Swannie, I had no idea about the shoulder pain and gas. I had better warn him about that. Thank you for replying. 

User
Posted 25 Mar 2025 at 17:02

Hi Fernie

New to this forum and just catching up. I received lots of reading material prior to my op in Nov last year. Pumping you full of gas and tilting the patient head down to separate organs to give better access to the prostate was described. While waiting to go into theatre I mentioned this to the anaesthetist. He told me that  they had just installed a new batch of robots which were extremely precise . Consequently they no longer tilted the op table or used gas. It may depend on the hospital but your husband may find its not an issue. Incidentally op went very well. Little or no pain and catheter was no problem. Hope his op goes well.

 

Edited by member 25 Mar 2025 at 17:04  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 25 Mar 2025 at 17:26

Thank you Alex. I hope they don’t tilt the table for my husband, he would hate that. 
He is actually going in for his operation tomorrow. Just waiting for the surgeon to call with the results of his PSMA PET scan. 
Feeling nervous and praying it all goes well. 

User
Posted 03 Apr 2025 at 18:31

I have recently been diagnosed with PCa. Recent PSA was 5.5. Biopsy was 27 cores sample. Gleason score 3+4=7. Max tumour size 4mm. I have been advised as per the MDT review that RARP is the best option to follow- with nerve sparring. I am in my late 40s. I have not decided. Is there an alternative to these treatments- RARP, HT, RT?  Also thinking of the post op side effects.

Edited by member 04 Apr 2025 at 20:43  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Apr 2025 at 17:16

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I have recently been diagnosed with PCa. Recent PSA was 5.5. Biopsy was 27 cores sample. Gleason score 3+4=7. Max tumour size 4mm. I have been advised as per the MDT review that RARP is the best option to follow- with nerve sparring. I am in my late 40s. I have not decided. Is there an alternative to these treatments- RARP, HT, RT?  Also thinking of the post op side effects.

Have a look at brachytherapy Bd, its radiation but delivered in a different way, I've had it done just under 6 weeks ago

User
Posted 09 Apr 2025 at 23:16

Thank you Brayner.

Was brachytherapy the recommendation following your biopsy? How was it delivered?

Edited by member 10 Apr 2025 at 23:08  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 12 Apr 2025 at 08:45

Have a look under the localised cancer thread, there's my story and others there. 

This should answer most questions you have, and if you need more just shout.

 
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