New Diagnosis and planned robotic prostatectomy

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 09:42

I had my post-biopsy urology appointment yesterday where PC was confirmed - Garde 2 (Gleason 3+4).

It is contained in the prostate but there are features that go against active surveillance so I chose to have my prostate removed.

The urology consultant explained I could have targeted radiotherapy, but removing the prostate after can be 20-40 times more difficult (I did a double take at the figures) whereas there is no real problem with radiotherapy after the prostate is removed.

I'm 58 and my age was a factor. I've suffered with an enlarged prostate for a few years. In 2022 my PSA was 2.3. I haven't had annual or six-monthly PSAs and about 5 weeks ago I asked my GP for a PSA as I had spoken to friends with similar prostate issues who were having six-monthly PSAs.

My score was 9.8 and on DRE by GP noticed changes from his last check in 2022.

MRI PI RADS was 4.

I actually had my biopsy report the day before my appointment as I made a SAR last week for the report, expecting it would come after the appointment. It meant the anxiety of the face to face with the consultant was a little reduced.

The report listed some cribriform pattern in one of the biopsy samples and ChatGPT suggested active surveillance would not be an option and seems to have got it right.

From my GP appointment after my PSA to diagnosis confirmation has taken just 30-days. The MRI and biopsy were done in under 14-days and the agonising wait has been for the urology appointment, but I can't complain overall as the speed of getting here has been excellent.

I've been told the waiting list for the surgery is 10-12 weeks, though I have my anaesthetic appointment on 15 September at Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

It doe give me time to lose more weight as I started a health kick in May and have lost 17kg as I was tipping the scales like an international rugby prop despite stopping playing 18 years ago. The consultant was less than supportive about my weight loss efforts and suggested weight loss injections - typical condescending attitude - everyone else I have come into contact with has been most encouraging about my efforts. I do of course appreciate things might go better with the operation and recovery if I can shed more weight and my overall fitness continues to improve, but I do tire when so-called professionals are openly judgmental.

But there we are. I just hope the surgery isn't going to be carried out by Robbie the Robot from the 1956 film Forbidden Planet.

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 11:53

Hi again Matt,

Thanks for the update. For what it's worth I think you've made a wise decision, mate.

My aneathetist's appointment was part of my pre-assessment procedure, which was only 2 weeks before my op

Good luck. 👍

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 19:14

Hi there MattLeo

I had my pre op at The Friarage too and then a robotic prostatectomy at James Cook. The operation was just over a year ago and I was told I had a 14 week wait for it but was done in about 10. The operation was a success, my PSA has been at 0.1 for a year(James Cook's lowest measured value) and life has returned to as near normal as I could have hoped, ED issues aside. I was given the choice of operation or radiotherapy, even though as a 75 year old, I was outside the usual guidelines for surgery. I certainly don't regret my decision.

The PC support team there are excellent and have been able to answer questions quickly and give advice whenever I've made contact. I do my Kegel exercises every day as advised and have returned to full continence - although I still use a Tena pad for safety purposes. I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation but hope my experience gives you some local knowledge reassurance as you move through treatment. It was a big help to me having others who'd been through it ahead of me.

good luck, keep in touch.

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 22:31

I am 2 weeks post op and had catheter removed yesterday. I had 8 weeks notice of my op and started pelvic exercise straight away. I became a bit obsessed with them doing them anytime I could. After a cystogram , the catheter was out yesterday but I had a 90 min wait until I could pee 250 ml before I could come home. I went to bed with a tena brief on and apart from waking twice to have a wee, I was dry on the morning which I’m sure the exercises helped with. I went out today with a pad on and had a couple of minor dribbles. I was a bit skeptical about people going on about pelvic exercises but I’m convinced they have helped me as i think, although not fully continant I’m not too far away. In regards to the op. The anticipation is far worse than the actual thing. I woke up and asked if it had been done yet You get used to the catheter and the whole night bag routine and injections . If you’ve any questions I’ll try and help. It really isn’t as bad as you think it’s going to be although I was a right state before it so it’s understandable. Cheers Simon

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 09:08

Hi again, Matthew

I was out of James Cook on the following day but was pretty weak and not able to walk much for the first 4 or 5 days, then gradually built up every day. Like you, it was my first anaesthetic since adenoid removal at age about 12. I got my date at around the same time as my pre op gas check. I just phoned up and asked.

Hope this helps.

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 11:22

Hi Matthew

im 2 weeks post op and have to keep reminding myself that I had major surgery and not to do to much as feel fine

was in hospital for 2 nights although I think the norm is 1 night ( mine was a package deal so 2+nights was standard 😊) on day 2 I was on my feet most of the day and doing laps of the ward

after day 3 I was doing 15 min walks I could have done more but was told not to , I would be carful with your dogs though, not sure if they pull on the lead as that wouldn’t be good but even if not if something spooked them , car other dog etc it could put you in a position you really shouldn’t be in

wishing you well mate

Nick

Edited by member 05 Sep 2025 at 11:25 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 12:26

My profile photo was taken of me having my first post-op pint, only four days after surgery. It's a half mile walk to the pub and about a mile staggering back.

🍺🚶‍♂️

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 12:42

Hi Matthew. I did 2 nights in hospital but that was because I had a bad reaction to some morphine I was given. On arriving home I could walk about the house carefully. I stayed upstairs for 2 days as I’ve very steep stairs and just rested. The old adage “ let your body tell you “ applies and I slept loads After 2 days I went down stairs and walk around my garden for a while. Every day you get better I’d say by about 20%. You’d surprised at how fast you recover. I’m now 16 days post op and am doing 10000 steps a day The catheter is the thing that might restrict you walking as it’s bothersome but you just get on with. Don’t worry about the op. I was under within about 30 secs You will be fine. As I say to others. It’s a big day for us but to the hospital staff and surgeon. It’s another day at the office. Cheers. Simon

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User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 11:53

Hi again Matt,

Thanks for the update. For what it's worth I think you've made a wise decision, mate.

My aneathetist's appointment was part of my pre-assessment procedure, which was only 2 weeks before my op

Good luck. 👍

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 12:20

Thanks Adrian.

I have started my pelvic floor exercises on the advice of the excellent nurse in urology at Jame Cook.

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 19:14

Hi there MattLeo

good luck, keep in touch.

User

Posted 04 Sep 2025 at 22:31

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 08:23

Thank you for the insight in respect of your experience at James Cook and the Friarage.

Would I be correct to presume I won't get an operation date confirmation until after the anaesthetic appointment?

Matthew

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 08:35

Cheers Simon for sharing.

I think I am still in some shock and whilst I'm sure it is pyschosomatic, I also most feel like things are different down below, though it could of course be adjusting to the pelvic floor exercises and I am still a little tender after the biopsy.

You have put my mind to rest about the operation (this will be my first general anaesthetic since I was 5 when I had a compound elbow fracture. Though I did have the old gas at the dentist that knocked me out when I was 6 and a few years later had a needle to put me out for a tooth extraction, probably aged 12. Can't believe they could put folk out in a dentist and I doubt they had resus equipment - frightening.

Can I ask how long were you in hospital after the operation?

How long was it before you could go for walk?

I ask as I have two elderly dogs - they don't walk far but have 2 walks a day and I am trying to get a handle as to how long I might be out of action and need a dog walker.

I was wondering even if I'm not up to walking, might it be possible to use a mobility scooter - we have a field literally a 5 minute walk away with the dogs (2 minute at normal pace) where I could ride round to.

My wife will tell me I am perhaps under-estimating the impact of the surgery and will have to be tied down to make sure I give myself chance to recover, but I am just wondering will I be off my feet, even for short walks, for a period?

Many thanks again.

Matthew

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 09:08

Hi again, Matthew

Hope this helps.

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 09:38

That is very helpful, many thanks Broomfield.

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 11:22

Hi Matthew

im 2 weeks post op and have to keep reminding myself that I had major surgery and not to do to much as feel fine

was in hospital for 2 nights although I think the norm is 1 night ( mine was a package deal so 2+nights was standard 😊) on day 2 I was on my feet most of the day and doing laps of the ward

wishing you well mate

Nick

Edited by member 05 Sep 2025 at 11:25 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 12:26

My profile photo was taken of me having my first post-op pint, only four days after surgery. It's a half mile walk to the pub and about a mile staggering back.

🍺🚶‍♂️

User

Posted 05 Sep 2025 at 12:42

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