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RARP tomorrow

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User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 07:31

Tomorrow is the big day. I've mentally prepared myself for this over the last few weeks.

I'm advised that surgery is expected to be about 10.30am...And expected to be sent home the same day! 

Any last minute tips and hints to make life a bit easier?

User
Posted 13 Apr 2025 at 08:10

Thanks.

I had the op on 3rd April, so will be in for 11 days.

When I get up in a morning I usually drink a pint of water. Whilst catheter has been in I've followed the "drink loads of water" mantra and drunk probably 6 pints per day.

As part of my recovery, having this catheter out will give me a bit of freedom to get some more walking done etc.

Let's see if all the pelvic floor excercises I did over the last 2 months have paid off.

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 12:31

Good tip...

I'm reading the leaflet Penile Rehabilitation. 

This was a different word when I was younger.

"The referee's a Penile Rehabilitationer'!!!

Doesn't seem to have the same ring to it

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User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 08:12

Hello again mate.

I'm surprised they're considering letting you out on the same day. Things must have changed since I had the same op 2 years ago. At this time you had to be in at least overnight.

Whatever, good luck mate. πŸ‘ 

 

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 08:17

I would suggest an early night and some love making with your partner, it may be a while before you can do it again, and it will certainly be different next time. 

Also, it's worth taking a bag to hospital, to put your clothes & shoes in while you're under.

Good luck,

Kev.

Edited by member 02 Apr 2025 at 09:02  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 08:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
I would suggest an early night and some love making with your partner, it may be a while before you can do it for again, and it will certainly be different next time. 

A bit like being on death row, having your favourite food, the night before you're executed. 😁

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 08:46

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
I would suggest an early night and some love making with your partner, it may be a while before you can do it for again, and it will certainly be different next time. 

A bit like being on death row, having your favourite food, the night before you're executed. 😁

 

Exactly how it feels today...death row. 

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 09:13

It might feel like death row mate, but it's a new chapter in your life. There are going to be challenges ahead but you'll have the support of others on this site.

And anyway, one consolation is that on death row, your choice of love making partners are limited.

Good luck, 

Kev.

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 11:00

Arthur. Sorry for my gallows sense of humour. I was onl kidding. You may well be one of the lucky ones who have virtually no side effects. They've been several on here recently that seem to have recovered very quickly and almost unscathed. I found the actual op and brief hospital stay an absolute doddle.  You'll be okay mate.

Please keep us updated on how you get on.

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 11:41

Thanks for that. Will let everyone know

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 17:29

Hi Arthur,

The only thing I would say to you is you are lucky you had the choice of surgery, so I wish you all the best for tomorrow and hope it’s not long before you’re a Dyson(bagless😊). Be patient with your recovery and don’t be despondent if you feel you’re taking a step back at times.

Good luck,

Derek

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 22:00

Arthur

Good luck with the surgery ,I had mine on the 25th Jan ,stayed overnight ,but I must say that I had only minimal discomfort after the procedure .I think the key is to think positive and take things easy after the operation,make sure you use up all your energy tonight πŸ‘

Best Wishes

Swannie

User
Posted 02 Apr 2025 at 22:15

I was in and out the same day. Relived that I did not have to stop overnight in Hospital. However bit of a shocker to be honest for a couple of days so take it really slowly. I was/ am a fit guy used to walking 25 miles plus in a day. I could only walk to the corner and back for the first week.

Best of luck

User
Posted 03 Apr 2025 at 09:19

Ahfor,

Thinking of you mate. 🀞

User
Posted 03 Apr 2025 at 11:48

Not going home today...delay in the treatment. So will be kept in overnight

User
Posted 05 Apr 2025 at 18:59
So update..

Got home yesterday about 5pm. On pain killers and having to inject myself.

Very sore, tired and bloated. Constipation isn't great

User
Posted 05 Apr 2025 at 21:07

Pleased you got home Arthur, just take it easy and I’m sure you’ll feel better soon.

Derek

User
Posted 05 Apr 2025 at 22:04
Arthur

Glad your home ,don’t overdo things and hopefully all goes well πŸ‘

User
Posted 06 Apr 2025 at 08:47

As others have said, take it easy, and definitely keep taking the painkillers. You should start to feel better as the days pass.

Good luck, 

Kev.

User
Posted 08 Apr 2025 at 08:14

How are you getting on Arthur? Hopefully starting to feel a bit more human by now? I just rested up for the first couple of weeks after my op, apart from the daily1 mile walk that my surgeon insisted I did.

Let us know how you are doing pal.

Ian.

User
Posted 08 Apr 2025 at 08:24

Thanks for asking. I think yesterday was a watershed day. I could have gone back to hospital in a heartbeat. Couldn't sit down, couldn't lie down, standing was the only relief. 

I had been very constipated. I launched something a kin to King Kongs forearm and felt instantly better...

No one mentioned the first poo...Christ on a bike!!!

 

User
Posted 08 Apr 2025 at 08:44

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
I had been very constipated. I launched something a kin to King Kongs forearm and felt instantly better...

No one mentioned the first poo...Christ on a bike!!!

Ey up mate.

That made me laugh. 

After my op, I went ten days without a poo! I drank bottles of the laxative the hospital gave me but it had no affect. In the end I had to ring my GP who prescribed me something much stronger. When completely constipated, I felt the bottom had fallen out my world. The next minute it seemed the world had fallen out of my bottom. 

User
Posted 08 Apr 2025 at 08:46

The relief is amazing

User
Posted 09 Apr 2025 at 08:06

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
No one mentioned the first poo...Christ on a bike!!!

 

An eagerly anticipated event, that didn't disappoint πŸ˜‚

User
Posted 13 Apr 2025 at 06:25
Catheter comes out tomorrow, really looking forward to that. Gradually over the last few days the bag has been getting clearer and clearer. What started as a Ribena colour has moved to like a chardonnay. I cannot believe how much comes out!!.

The night bag gets really full by 5am..that's a full 2 litres!!

User
Posted 13 Apr 2025 at 08:02

Arthur 

I have had around 12 trial without catheter and never failed. Mine usually took around three hours. I usually drank plenty of water before getting to the hospital, I find that if i am well hydrated before getting to the hospital the water they give me to drink at the TWOC passes through me far quicker. It is better to leak a bit than have a catheter put back in because you failed the TWOC. The removal is frequently described as weird, it should be pain free. If it gets stuck on the way out ask for a urologist to attend, my surgeon is convinced a swift removal after getting stuck caused my post op stricture issues.

 

Make sure you have some pads, the hospital will normally give you some, but as a work colleague used to say better to be looking at some than looking for some. I took a towel and cover for the car seat in case of a "major" leak but it never happened. I also had a urine bottle in the car in case of an emergency. The towel is useful if stuck in a traffic jam with a coachload of people at the side of youπŸ˜€. You could take a spare pair of trousers and pants, again i never needed them. Elasticated waist trousers make it very easy to change the pad in a hurry. 

 

Once the catheter is removed remember to contract those pelvic muscles as you are going from sitting to standing up, this is when lots of us experienced a leak.

 

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 13 Apr 2025 at 08:10

Thanks.

I had the op on 3rd April, so will be in for 11 days.

When I get up in a morning I usually drink a pint of water. Whilst catheter has been in I've followed the "drink loads of water" mantra and drunk probably 6 pints per day.

As part of my recovery, having this catheter out will give me a bit of freedom to get some more walking done etc.

Let's see if all the pelvic floor excercises I did over the last 2 months have paid off.

User
Posted 15 Apr 2025 at 02:01

Catheter came out. Wow that was very uncomfortable.
Now in pads. So much better, hospital only gave me one pad so will be using the ones from Prostate cancer uk in their surgical pack.
So far walked 6700 steps, went to pub for tea, no booze... got through zero pads...Still got the one from hospital.
This first night isn't great. Up every other hour to pee. I presume this settles down

Edited by member 15 Apr 2025 at 02:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 15 Apr 2025 at 06:29

It just goes to show that everyone is different. My catheter was removal was completely painless. For weeks I peed uncontrollably during the day whilst awake, yet weirdly was dry all night. It took me six months to be back to full bladder control.

You seem to be doing fine, mate. πŸ‘

Edited by member 15 Apr 2025 at 06:31  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 15 Apr 2025 at 06:51

Arthur, I have seen guys say they had a urine bottle next to the bed in the early stages. The idea was  so they could have a pee then go back to sleep rather than getting up and going to the toilet. 

Remember not to over do it , take it easy but keep mobile. That new joint is still healing. Did the catheter get stuck or was it difficult to remove. 

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 15 Apr 2025 at 06:59

It came out in one movement, felt like it scratched everything on way out. Made me yelp a bit!

I can still feel it now if I do a pelvic floor exercise. However having the catheter in was horrible, my penis was so sore at the tip.

User
Posted 15 Apr 2025 at 10:32

Arthur, looks like I didn't post my pre op advice on your conversation, there are gels that would have helped with the sore penis.

The scratching on the way out doesn't sound good, did you see the removed catheter? Mention it to your consultant at your next meeting. I had issues with hem o lok clips migrating into the water works. You may have a small kidney stone that has got trapped. Sometimes the balloons don't fully deflate ,they can also get calcified but not usually in a couple of weeks. Perhaps go steady with the pelvic floor exercises for a few days.

If in doubt get in touch with your medical team.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 12:12
Update for you guys.

Catheter has been out for 5 days. No leaks as yet,. Trips to bathroom at night have slowed a little, just 3 last night.

At what point do I go...sod it, and go without the pads?

Ive read that its a good idea to fiddle with it to maintain blood flow. When do I start doing that?. It's all a bit tender still

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 12:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Ive read that its a good idea to fiddle with it to maintain blood flow. When do I start doing that?.

ASAP Arthur. But NOT while you're doing the Easter shopping at Tesco. πŸ˜„

Joking apart, mate, it's great to hear that you're making such a good and speedy recovery. πŸ‘

 

Edited by member 18 Apr 2025 at 16:34  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 12:31

Good tip...

I'm reading the leaflet Penile Rehabilitation. 

This was a different word when I was younger.

"The referee's a Penile Rehabilitationer'!!!

Doesn't seem to have the same ring to it

User
Posted 18 Apr 2025 at 15:24

Arthur, even better if you can get someone else to fiddle with it. I would not advise asking complete strangers to help , especially in Tesco.

We mastered the technique of flaccid insertion, I always say ,never give up, take anything on offer and have fun finding a solution.

Thanks Chris 

 

User
Posted 20 Apr 2025 at 08:39

Update.

Ive ditched the pads for during the day. Wife insists that I keep the pad on at night. Am I finding out the hard way that my wife has a deep down nappy fetish?

User
Posted 20 Apr 2025 at 09:06

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 Am I finding out the hard way that my wife has a deep down nappy fetish?

πŸ˜‚ Brilliant, mate. πŸ˜‚

Have you tried breast feeding? πŸ€”

Edited by member 20 Apr 2025 at 09:11  | Reason: Emoji

User
Posted 25 Apr 2025 at 05:44

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
 Am I finding out the hard way that my wife has a deep down nappy fetish?

πŸ˜‚ Brilliant, mate. πŸ˜‚

Have you tried breast feeding? πŸ€”

I had a quick go at the breast feeding suggestion. Pulled a muscle in my neck trying to "latch onto" my own left nipple. It hurts when I laugh now.

Update.

I'm back at work!.cannot believe 3 weeks ago the hospital were still cleaning down the robot after my full prostate removal. I'm on a phased return, so working from home. I'm lucky in that my job is very flexible. 

One issue you might help me with. When out walking or shopping, I'm finding that I need to pee very often. When I do go, it doesn't feel like I'm emptying a full bladder. Also the feeling that I need to pee comes on quite quickly. Does this settle back down? Yesterday I emptied my bladder, went for a walk then after about a mile felt that I needed the loo. Is this normal?

 

User
Posted 25 Apr 2025 at 09:03

Hello again mate.

It does take time for things to get back to normal. I can remember thinking how few public toilets there now are. From what you've said, I think you're doing very well on the incontinence front. 

 
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