Surgery soon - questions and advice - - Page 2Localised cancer

User

Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 09:32

Thanks. I do plan to take is so easy.
I think I had a 6 port robot. I’m not a robot expert though :-) but I’m sure I read it was 6 port

that sounds scary with the Catheter blockage. I will keep an eye on it - that would put me into panic mode !

cheers for the tip though

User

Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 10:34

macgyver skills come in handy post op :-)

Single port will be single wound above belly button generally. Multiport robot will have multiport wounds….think I had five/six too as the prof used the Da Vinci Xi on me.

User

Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 10:56

I’m hoping my machinery skills will not be needed ;-)

Im now checking that urine flow every few mins lol

Yep mine was 6 port

User

Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 11:26

Nothing a routing or multitool won’t fix…budget cnc :-)

I wouldn’t worry about the flow to much so long as the bag fills up it’s cool. Keep well hydrated. it’s amazing how quick the bag fills up and makes you appreciate the normal mechanics of a bladder and having a wee.

don’t worry if the urine is pink or slightly red as again that’s just the bladder lining getting irritated and bleeding slightly. all normal stuff and before you know it you’ll be having it removed and then on the road to proper recovery and normality.

I freaked the hell out of some guys in the local Station toilets. The cubicles were all full so I couldn’t empty the bag discreetly. so I unzipped my trouser leg hitched up the leg and voided the bag directly into your urinal. The guys next to me looked very scared and ran out as the urine was pink lol if it had been a month earlier it could’ve been the best Halloween prank.

Edited by member 20 Nov 2025 at 11:35 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 20 Nov 2025 at 11:57

Haha. That’s hilarious.

A good party trick !

User

Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 17:26

How long did it take for you guys to get your bowels working again?

don’t you love the questions and conversations we have here 😆😆😁

User

Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 19:28

Character building lol

I was fortunate as the second day I took I think about 20ml of lactulose. and after a few hours exploded which gave me some relief. I got told off by the nurse for Self prescribing but she thanked me for telling her cause she needed to put it on my notes .

when I got home the good lady had me on prunes dried everything in terms of fruit, fruits seeds, nuts, vegetable soups and plenty of water and that did the trick after a few days.

lactulose is like a back stop and they normally give you some or they did in my case at the end as well as me buying some in the Pharmacy the week before surgery in anticipation of something going wrong. try lots of vegetable soups, dried fruit prunes/apricot etc first. mate of mine is a GI consultant and he said you don’t need to really be concerned unless you get to well over a week constipation although it’s very uncomfortable. just keep super hydrated. The lactulose effectively stops water being absorbed in the GI tract so makes the stools a lot more soft and liquid. it’s important to stay extra hydrated in this case because you’re not absorbing so much water so you can become dehydrated very quickly.

I’d be surprised if dried fruit fruits and vegetable soups. Chia (soak first) & golden linseeds also good. Maybe linseeds in cereal like all bran etc? Also pears very good. Hopefully the above will sort you out in 24 to 36 hours.

peppermint tea also very soothing.

Edited by member 21 Nov 2025 at 19:33 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 19:38

Thanks mate… it’s not an issue (yet) but don’t want it to be

thanks a lot.
I wonder what tomorrows question will be ..lol 😆

User

Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 19:46

lol You’ll be a post op MacGyver in no time 🤪😎

User

Posted 21 Nov 2025 at 19:53

😂😂😆

User

Posted 24 Nov 2025 at 15:18

All going well with the post op recovery - very early days but going well so far. Bit of soreness still but getting easier.

Catheter out this week. Talk to me about that…..what that experience like?

I’m finding the catheter is quite annoying and looking forward to it being gone.

Any info or tips on the catheter removal?

I’m hoping it’s quick and easy 😆

User

Posted 24 Nov 2025 at 17:13

it’s good training for old age when you’ll need a catheter at some point I guess…. 🤪

the removal is super easy little bit of a sting as they pull it out but to be honest less trouble than having a plaster taken off of a cut. just be careful with the amount of water you consume as I consumed about a barrel of water which was fine. the nurse said go out and have something to eat for lunch and come back and will do the void test to make sure you’re avoiding completely. I decided not to cause given them amount I consumed. I was peeing every 10 or 15 minutes cleaning out the pipes which worked perfectly.

I took the train en route home which was about an hour and a half fully padded up like a baby….but I needed to pee a lot. I didn’t anticipate the train toilets being out of order and nearly had to void on the Station platform had it not been for a very helpful guard finding a working toilet. taken big towel and a travel gel punch bag as I also had this as a plan C. the train guard really scared when I explained the surgery I’ve just been through but it was like vip pass to the train facilities 👀🤪

User

Posted 24 Nov 2025 at 17:58

Ok cheers for that. Doesn’t sound too painful then.

When you say be careful with the amount I drink. Do you mean prior, in the morning ?

Did you also have some control after ? And do the pads get full quick?

That sounds like an eventful train journey. Sounds like you’ve enjoyed scaring a few people with emptying the bag in toilets and now the train guard 😂😂

Good to smile about all this business!

Cheers

User

Posted 24 Nov 2025 at 18:10

Drinking loads of water is essential. I only got stung because of the train toilets being partially out of service. I didn’t leak at all en route home as good control. It was a good test feeling like I was going to burst trying to sort a loo.

It certainly had entertaining prank value. 4 days after surgery two mates came round and expected to see me in an ICU bed I think. When I opened the front door they looked like they’d see a ghost. Spooked them more when I unzipped to show off the catheter bag. Strangely not seen much of them since 🤷🏼‍♂️

User

Posted 24 Nov 2025 at 18:47

Haha. Hilarious.

User

Posted 28 Nov 2025 at 16:45

I’m now onto the next phase of the saga….Had the catheter out yesterday. Techguy- your description of a plaster being removed is accurate but wow, I’ve never had a plaster in there before 😂

So far all not too bad with the continence. It’s all unknown until you take the catheter out and start drinking.

I managed to pee and empty the bladder a few times which they were happy with.

I am finding I am dribbling/leaking a bit when I stand from sitting or a little sometimes when I walk.

I know it’s only day 1 but will that improve ? Or do I need to do the exercises again to improve it?

I have heard stories of guys having no control and it pouring out, thankfully so far I am not like that and I feel for those guys.

Any tips on post TWOC life, especially in these first few days/weeks.

User

Posted 28 Nov 2025 at 16:56

Nothing’s quite ever matched the cytoscopy for a memorable experience….this was a walk in the park.

quite a relief not having to keep a close eye on that bag eh!

Some folks are totally continent after the catheter removal. in my case I was fine during the day and leaked slightly in the evenings when the muscles get tired. no issues at night unless I necked a barrel of beer so I switched to wine… Problem solved 😵‍💫

the prof told me that around week five the stitches start to soften which releases things and usually there should be some improvement. like clockwork for me on week five all the evening leaks stopped. Then I believe from that point up to around six months things heal and hopefully improve and then tail off up to about 12 month nadir.

so it takes longer than you think but do

eventually get there in most cases. I kept some pads in for awhile for reassurance. especially when I was doing dips at the gym once the 12 week rest period was over. it goes fast, but not when you’re sitting there watching the clock 🤪

User

Posted 28 Nov 2025 at 17:06

I had to look up a cystoscopy….jeez!

yes, it’s so nice not to have that bag, it was starting to really restrict me. I felt I was even walking weird 😂 I couldn’t wait to get rid of it, I feel the recovery can start properly now. As we said, I did feel like a pro in terms of bag changing etc 😁

interesting about the 5 weeks- thanks.

im fairly pleased with where I am with it, the leak is minimal but would love to improve it further.
12 week rest period? People are telling me 6 weeks. Did you go back to exercise after 6 or 12 weeks?
Thanks for your reply as always mate

User

Posted 28 Nov 2025 at 17:54

How on earth did you dodge the bullet that is the cytoscopy 😵‍💫👀

Recommend only listening to your surgeon and the clinical team.

Walking the first month then after a month can do light duties only until 3 months (12 weeks). Pretty standard for most surgeries i think. It’s easy to get carried away and try to do more….you’ll be amazed how everyday jobs and tasks look super attractive. Stick to walking and after the 3 months are up you are good to go. No way I would go near a gym until that time….even though my back went week 8 and I desperately needed to sort it with the lat pull down machine and pilates….wine was an excellent analgesic

Edited by member 28 Nov 2025 at 17:57 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 28 Nov 2025 at 18:44

No one ever mentioned a cystoscopy….thankfully 😆

Cheers. Don’t worry I don’t plan to rush anything. So far recovery going well and I don’t plan to ruin that.

Cheers mate

User

Posted 28 Nov 2025 at 20:51

My experience corresponded with TechGuy's post. Continence will improve, most of the improvement being in the first six months, and by a year you can take it that it is as good as it gets.

Good luck. Sounds like everything is OK so far.

User

Posted 04 Jan 2026 at 17:29

Hi All, update for you since my surgery. I am now nearly at 7 weeks post surgery and around 5.5 weeks post TWOC.

Had my 1st PSA results a few days ago and my PSA is now undetectable !! So so happy to see that result. Next PSA in 6 weeks - fingers crossed this stay the same.

In general feeling great.

Continence is going well and really improved, had a bit of a turning point around 4 weeks post surgery, I’m dry at night and on 1 pad per day although I am now hardly leaking at all, it’s more of a confidence/security thing.

Found that I did leak a bit more or at least needed to go pretty urgently after a few Xmas beers :-) !! But overall all good.

I still get some mild muscle soreness around the cuts surgeon said thats normal as muscles heal and internal stitches heal/disolve

Really happy with the outcome and progress, the next challenge will be how my continence is with exercise once I start to do a few runs etc. Ive been doing lots of walking since the TWOC & I’m still doing the Pelvic floor exercises so hopefully that will help.

It really is a rollercoaster at times eh

User

Posted 04 Jan 2026 at 20:31

So glad to read of your progress! Even if it is a rollercoaster, it's great things are on-track. Hope things continue to go well for you!

User

Posted 04 Jan 2026 at 20:31

Fantastic IMF, one pad a day at just seven weeks (while doing a lot of walking too) is excellent progress. There is every reason to expect it to improve over the next few months.

Good luck with the running, I imagine that will put a strain on the system, and I would do it very cautiously while you still have soreness round the incision sites. But getting back to normal activities is what it is all about.

User

Posted 04 Jan 2026 at 20:41

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Fantastic IMF, one pad a day at just seven weeks (while doing a lot of walking too) is excellent progress. There is every reason to expect it to improve over the next few months.

Good luck with the running, I imagine that will put a strain on the system, and I would do it very cautiously while you still have soreness round the incision sites. But getting back to normal activities is what it is all about.

thanks J-B, yes I plan to go easy with the running and will wait a while before start too.

cheers

User

Posted 04 Jan 2026 at 22:29

Sounds like you are making great progress 7 weeks in mate 👍

User

Posted 07 Jan 2026 at 15:25

Hi mate,

I guess everyone's journey is different.

Well done as you are making good progress. After 6 months my main issue is improving ED but step by step hopefully will get there.

Cheers

User

Posted 07 Jan 2026 at 18:36

Thanks Charlie
Hows that going?

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi mate,

I guess everyone's journey is different.

Well done as you are making good progress. After 6 months my main issue is improving ED but step by step hopefully will get there.

Cheers

User

Posted 09 Jan 2026 at 13:55

.. It's going gradually bit by bit to be honest.

The Response 11 pump is good for daily rehab and seems to work well and from that I am happy with erections etc.

I am being prescribed Tadaffadil - 5 mg daily and now 20 mg 3 times per week. With this I am getting a little response although not enough yet for an event. I will give this another month and then switch to Viagra to see if that might improve things.

Following that I will meet with the specialist RD consultant to see what's next.

Fingers and all firmly crossed for progress.

Cheers

User

Posted 09 Jan 2026 at 15:18

Good luck with it an dhope the progress continues

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