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RARP this morning 09/09/2025

User
Posted 09 Sep 2025 at 19:59

I had RARP this morning, so now on the ward for my night in hospital, hopefully followed by going home tomorrow.  So far, so good…


I was admitted at 7:30am and in the operating theatre by 9am.  They did the spinal injection, which was only very slightly uncomfortable (less painful that a flu jab), followed by the general anaesthetic.


After a pleasant sleep, I woke up 4 hours later in recovery, had a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits and was soon up on the ward.


It’s 8pm now and, other than some slight discomfort in the wound above my belly button (and occasional slight ache behind my right shoulder), so far there is no pain at all. If I hadn’t seen the catheter, I wouldn’t realise it was there.


They want me to stay in bed until tomorrow morning but are still taking likely discharge around lunchtime tomorrow.


I won’t get to talk to the surgeon until tomorrow morning, so no idea if everything went as expected during the procedure, but I assume so.


Before my surgery, I found it useful to read how things went for others, so I’m aiming to post more updates here as and when.

User
Posted 09 Sep 2025 at 22:54

PD123, I don't recall being in much pain after my surgery,but it was a very long time ago, the anesthetic/ anesthesia is probably sill having an effect. I seem to recall being told to take painkillers even if I didn't feel I needed them, just to keep the level of pain relief topped up. They gave me some tramadol,two minutes later I was sick part in one of those cardboard bowls ,the rest went over my wife. Take it easy but keep mobile, don't rush to go home if you don't feel up to it . Take it easy but keep mobile. Moving around will help get the motions moving again. No straining to pass that first motion.


Hope all goes well.


Thanks Chris 


 

User
Posted 10 Sep 2025 at 07:41

Thanks for the good advice Chris.

User
Posted 11 Sep 2025 at 09:54

After 1 night in hospital, I came home yesterday afternoon. So far so good I think.


Other than a couple of hours, I found it more or less impossible to sleep in hospital. Too much noise from machines, other patients snoring etc. However, I was pretty comfortable.


On the night of the surgery and the morning after, I was feeling no pain really and am very prone to constipation, so elected to skip the paracetamol and ibuprofen on offer.  However, once I was up and about the pain on movement gradually got worse. By last night, I decided it was time to start taking them and they did help


I got a good nights sleep at home last night. All good with the catheter etc.  The main issues are pain in the belly when I stand up/sit down etc and so far no bowel movement.


I’ve taken all the advice about what to eat, how much to drink, taken all the laxatives as prescribed, and been up, about and walking as much as I can. I’m sure it will sort itself out soon. If not, later today I’ll try some prune juice and/or senna.


Catheter removal is scheduled for next Thursday, 9 days after surgery and consultant follow up on 29th oct.  Yesterday morning, the doctor told me the procedure all went very well.  Nerve sparing as expected and he said, based on how things went in surgery, they are pretty confident of a fairly quick return to continence once the catheter is out. I hope so.

User
Posted 11 Sep 2025 at 12:32

Hi,


I'd definitely carry on taking the paracetamol, you never know what pain you might experience as you become more mobile and your bowels start moving again. 


Good luck with your recovery. 


Kev. 

User
Posted 11 Sep 2025 at 17:49

Hi Kev,


Thanks. Yes, I’ve concluded you are right so have kept the paracetamol going today.  It’s not as painful today but still getting painful spasm in upper abdominal muscles when I am walking or if I cough.  Hopefully, will ease off soon, possibly after the first bowel movement, which hasn’t happened yet….

User
Posted 12 Sep 2025 at 20:04

So, it’s now been 3 days since my surgery. I think/hope recovery is going to plan.


Due to lack of bowel movement, as well as the Laxido twice per day as prescribed, yesterday I took one senna tablet in the morning and two at bed time. I also had prune juice yesterday and with breakfast this morning.  Finally, around lunchtime, all this had the desired effect (but nothing dramatic).  Hopefully, that issue is now behind me.


The main issue now is pain from/near the incision above the belly button. While I am sitting still or lying still in bed, it’s ok.  When I stand up, walk, cough, laugh etc, it can be very painful. I think it’s a little better today than yesterday, so am hopeful it will gradually improve. No pain at all from down below.


I’ve also noticed a lump (about size of a small marble) under the skin just above the painful incision. It’s firm and tender if I press it. I’m hoping it’s just part of the healing process and will go away.


Just for reassurance, I emailed the hospital to ask if these things are just part of the process. I got a reply this morning saying my questions had gone to the surgical team and that I should contact again if I haven’t heard anything by Monday. Given it’s now 8pm on Friday, I suppose I just have to hope all will be well over the weekend.

User
Posted 12 Sep 2025 at 22:00

Hello mate , I’m 3 weeks post op and have been generally ok since but in relation to the wound , it did hurt for the first week or so when sitting up and really hurt if I coughed or sneezed , it started to settle down after week 1, hopefully yours should start to ease soon , only difference I can see is you mention you get pain when your walking I didn’t get that at all so would monitor and get it checked if it gets worse 


in regards to bowel movement highly recommend sticking to fruit , veg , prune juice etc at least for the first week , I was getting bowel movement fine from day 2 but it has been intermittent and have been blocked up a few times along with a few days of the complete opposite to blocked up, last week has felt more normal like before 


all the best mate


Nick

User
Posted 12 Sep 2025 at 22:15

Thanks Nick. That’s really helpful to know and makes me feel a whole lot better. I’m pretty sure that by the time I get to TWOC (next Thursday) things will be more comfortable and I am going to keep in being careful on the bowels side of things.  I hate the taste of the Laxido, but that won’t stop me taking it!

User
Posted 12 Sep 2025 at 22:24

I found loads of water key mate , 2-3ltrs a day especially if taking Laxido as if it’s the same as the ones I was on its very dehydrating 


my surgeon also said water is great to keep infection at bay for both the wound and UTI especially while the catheter is in although maybe not drink so much after 6-7pm or be emptying the night bag every 4 hours like I did 😩👍

User
Posted 13 Sep 2025 at 13:30

The bowels seem to be back in action today (a bit too much).  After a bowel movement, I have had a little bit of urine leakage and a very small amount of blood coming out around the catheter, in spite of the movement being soft and trying to push the absolute minimum. However, I understand this is normal so not concerned. Also getting slight stinging in the urethra during the 30-60 mins after a bowel movement but I’ve been told that’s not unusual either.


The pain at the incision above the belly button (on moving, coughing etc) is slightly better today so I’m hoping that’s moving in the right direction.


I think I am drinking the right amount because the urine colour is pale and I’m needing to empty the leg bag frequently.  The night bag is taking about 7 hours to fill overnight. The catheter is a nuisance, so I’ll be very pleased when that’s gone!

User
Posted 13 Sep 2025 at 19:57

I won’t bore you with my Experiance.  All I can say is everyday you will be miles better.  I’m post op 20 days.    Just been for a few pints in a local weatherspoons    I’m continent and things are looking good.   Cheers Simon 

User
Posted 13 Sep 2025 at 21:28

Thanks Simon. I’m really glad it went so well for you and I look forward to following in your footsteps 😀.

User
Posted 24 Sep 2025 at 19:12

So, a lot has happened since I posted on the 13th.  The pain/discomfort in the incision  above the belly button has continued to improve.  The bump at the top of that incision is still there, but the GP took and look and said it’s nothing to worry about.


TWOC went ahead on the 18th as planned.  For the last few days before TWOC, the catheter became very uncomfortable, with a fair bit of blood and urine escaping from around the catheter and urine in the catheter bag turning pink.  The nurses at the hospital reassured me this is none of this is unusual at this stage after RALP.


The actual catheter removal was incredibly quick and totally painless.  I was really surprised how well I was able to hold urine but filling and emptying the bladder 3 times took 3 hours, after which I went home catheter free, which was a huge relief.


My TWOC appointment was early in the morning with 1.5 hour journey on public transport, so I had to get up ay 5:30am.  By the following day, I was exhausted and by the evening of the following day, I had a slight temperature of 37.6 degrees.  However, it came down with paracetamol.  Over the next couple of days (which fell over a weekend) at times temperature was  normal other times between 37.5 and 38.  I also feel very tired and slightly achy.  I was also getting quite a lot a blood spotting in the pad and some discomfort on urinating (not severe).


By Sunday afternoon, my temperature was totally  normal and has been ever since.  I spoke to the urology cancer nurse on the  Monday morning and she was a bit concerned about the recent low fever and advised me to visit my GP to check for infection.  The GP did a dipstick urine test, which was inconclusive.  There was a possibility of infection but not certain.  He put me on 7 days of antibiotics just in case.


I’ve been on the antibiotics for 2 days now.  I still feel well and have no temperature. I think the blood spotting in the pad may be slightly better today and perhaps the discomfort on urination as well.  Provided things don’t get worse and my temperature doesn’t rise, the nurse advised me to continue with the antibiotics and will review again with me on Monday, by which time the 7 day course will be completed.  I hope by then the bleeding will have resolved as I’ll be 20 days post-op.


On the day of TWOC they sent urine to be cultured. The result came back today and it’s clear.  Two days ago, the GP also sent urine to be cultured, so hopefully  those results will come back at the end of this week.


I haven’t even started pelvic floor exercises yet (due to start in 2 days time) but am already surprised how good my bladder control is.  Sure, there are some leaks but nothing like as much as I had imagined.


I’ll probably post another update next week.  Hopefully, with a lot less to report that this time!

User
Posted 25 Sep 2025 at 07:25

Sounds like you’re making great progress. These are all the usual bumps in the road that can occur but looks like you’ve managed them well.


Raise a glass to the ongoing positives and onwards and upwards.

User
Posted 25 Sep 2025 at 07:54

Thanks TechGuy.  I certainly will, although for now it’s a non-alcoholic glass 😁.

User
Posted 29 Sep 2025 at 17:11

I took the last of the antibiotics this morning.  The results of the urine test done earlier on the same day I started the antibiotics are back now also.  All the urine test results came back with the same result.... signs of inflammation  but no evidence of bacterial growth.  It may simply be that the surgery and/or the catheter stirred up lots of inflammation without any infection, or there is bacteria present but it's one that's difficult to detect.  At this stage, it's impossible to know.


However, the good news is that bleeding has reduced a great deal over the past few days.  There is still a little, but very minor.  Similarly, the discomfort when peeing and for 30mins or so afterwards has almost gone.  I also feel completely well in myself and haven't had a fever, nor pain, etc.


I've now been doing the PF exercises for 2-3 days. I know it's very early days yet (tomorrow will be 3 weeks since the surgery) but it's my impression the leaks have become worse, especially when walking and especially today.  Did anyone else experience similar at a similar stage of recovery?  I'm hoping the increase in leaks is just a blip.


Due to the bleeding, I delayed starting Sildenafil until today.  I'm about to take the first dose now.  Over the past week or two, there have been some stirrings down there already, so I'm hopeful ED won't end up being huge issue.


I'll post more when/if there is more to say.

User
Posted 29 Sep 2025 at 21:04

PD123, I did have some urine issues  after surgery, eventually they found a hem o lok clip in my bladder. It is supposed to be rare but there are a few of us on here who had the same or similar problems. Apologies if I am repeating myself. 


Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 29 Sep 2025 at 21:51

Hi Chris,


Many thanks. Hopefully, yours is resolved now. Presumably a clip would show up in a xray?


I’m hoping mine is just a matter of time to heal etc, but if it persists this will be well worth asking.


All the best.


Paul

User
Posted 29 Sep 2025 at 22:38

I just read a bit more about hem o lok clips.  It appears they are usually left in deliberately and cause no problems, but can very occasionally cause problems, especially if they migrate.  


Also says they don’t usually show up in X-rays or MRIs.


I don’t have any particular reason to think these are an issue for me, but if I end up with ongoing problems (let’s hope not) I’ll certainly ask the question.

Edited by member 30 Sep 2025 at 00:34  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Sep 2025 at 10:24

PD123, for most of us I think a camera into the bladder or urethra is what found our clips. Apparently a CT scanner on a particular setting can detect the clips. Once the clip starts to calcify they can be seen by MRI or CT, can't remember which. There may be upto a dozen of the clips left in place, I have had somewhere between 3&5 removed, I have seen where some guys passed them while urinating. 


We don't get so many people reporting clip migration,so perhaps the technique is getting better. 


Hope you get sorted soon.


Thanks Chris 

 
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