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User
Posted 22 Dec 2025 at 13:44

Here is some of what I learned from my recent experience of RALRP (G7 T2):

-  Election for surgery was guided by a strong desire to have the cancer out, leaving radiology as an option if needed later;

-  My high-volume surgeon was absolutely outstanding (head of Urology, Royal Marsden);

-  The pre- and post-op support was also amazing; the whole team always focussed on the outcome, and my overall health & wellbeing;

-  There was emphasis on physical fitness. Time and effort invested in achieving a higher level paid off, pre- and post-op;

-  Two nights in hospital, two weeks with a catheter.  Nerves spared, plumbing back to normal about a month later.

-  I would not change anything about my treatment.  I went in with very high expectations of the team and they managed to exceed even these.

This was my experience. The only advice I can give is - as others have said - do your due diligence, make an informed decision and get it done.

Edited by member 27 Dec 2025 at 08:52  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 10:44

Hi gents. 

This is my third post RARP Xmas. My ex cancer memories are fading. ED is my only remaining side effect, but injections work fine.

It was a frightening time when I was found to be Gleason 9(4+5) capsular breach T3a staging.

My surgeon was a bloke from Hull. Unlike yours he wasn't in the Premier League, more like 2nd division, but he certainly did me proud and it was free on the NHS.

I dont know if you two lads were done for nowt?

The only reason I mention this, is I dont want blokes who are considering surgery thinking that they have to have a 'celebrity' surgeon or pay or have private medical insurance or have to travel to London, to get a good job done. I don't want these blokes to think they're somehow severely disadvantaged by not being 'done' by the top men.

I shall always be very grateful to my man. He must have been on top form when he did me. That's why I always send him a note of thanks in his Xmas card.

Good luck to you both and may we all have a cancer free Xmas for years to come.

 

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 18:21
Niko1000 you are correct to say you need to be an informed patient and do your research regarding the skills of your surgeon to give you the best chance at a good outcome.

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 19:57

Snipped

Sounds like a great outcome…onwards and upwards. Totally agree as I think it’s critical to look at surgeon track record and high volume stats.

it was a privilege to be able to select my surgeon and the Prof whocantbenamedonhere did a fantastic job as still undetectable 6yrs down the line and life pretty much normal.

I’m able to do calithenics in the gym without a second thought although I don’t let my bladder max out when training hard.

have a great Xmas all!

Edited by member 24 Dec 2025 at 20:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 20:26

Niko.

If you look back through my posts. You'll see that I always say throughly research your surgeon and get the best that you can. In fact, I've often moaned about BAUS removing the operating statistics of their surgeons. It makes researching them much more difficult than it used to be.

I post a link to this video in all my posts to those considering surgery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fyYTLZpxnB9HaR7O4xQ5Ff58Pj4Cn6ZB/view?pli=1

It is presented by one of the top surgeons.

My 'celebrity' surgeons comment wasn't meant to be in anyway derogotary to the  surgeons or those selecting them. Eminent or celebrated, would have been better words. 

I don't know for sure, but would guess that most of the very best surgeons do far more private than NHS work, and therefore cost is a factor. 

All I was trying to say was, sadly, not everyone has the means to afford the best surgeons or treatment. Some have to simply have what the NHS has to offer.

I wasn't decrying those who can afford to pay or have private health insurance, I was merely pointing out that, like in my case, there are very capable NHS surgeons throughout the country and that they are not all London based or primarily focus on private work.

Edited by member 24 Dec 2025 at 21:16  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 23 Dec 2025 at 23:38

Sounds like a great result mate , I had mine done in August at London Bridge and I suspect by the same surgeon (DC) I was also G7, I was dry immediately after catheter removal , ED seems to be more of an issue than I was hoping for as it was pretty good from the off but 4 months down the line is still much the same , I was hoping because of positive start that I would be back to normal by now so probably expecting to much , need to start using the pump 

only thing I would say is I took it really easy for 3 months and then on a consultation they advised I could start lifting again but still struggle as I was carrying some boards last week that wearnt really heavy and then I had pains below the scar area for a few days so need to check on that 

all the best going forward 

Nick

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 09:12

And you matey , all the best going forward  and have a great Christmas 👍

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 10:51

My husband isn't having surgery but on the ADT and RT route but I follow anything with interest. This is a very thoughtful post. We're investigating keeping things going with love and joy if you understand. Lots of both to everyone  

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 17:58

Adrian I have mentioned numerous times on here that I paid privately and  I would advise the exact opposite of what you say in relation to your statement I have pasted below 

“The only reason I mention this, is I dont want blokes who are considering surgery thinking that they have to have a 'celebrity' surgeon or pay or have private medical insurance or have to travel to London, to get a good job done. I don't want these blokes to think they're somehow severely disadvantaged by not being 'done' by the top men.”

I DO want people who are considering surgery to go to great lengths to ensure that that are having it done by a well respected high volume surgeon , doesn’t have to be as you put it “ a celebrity surgeon “ but given the scale of this procedure and side effects this surgery can cause if not done well then surely it’s worth getting the very best in the field , this doesn’t have to be done privately but may mean having to travel to a different area if being done on the NHS 

The NHS surgeon who I was allocated to wouldn’t have gone near my Christmas cake with a scalpel let alone me ,to many people are suffering from extreme side effects because of inexperienced surgeons 

Glad yours went well but many peoples don’t purely because of the surgeon 

 

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 21:32

Adrian

most if not all of the private surgeons I spoke to when looking at best options worked for the NHS as well as private 

Your comments to me ( although you don’t really elaborate) read that you shouldn’t worry if your going with the NHS provided surgeon rather than well renowned surgeons and in some way my discussion with Snipped could put people off surgery if they can’t get these high volume surgeons , well I can only say GOOD  as I hope anyone looking at this potential life changing surgery looks into it as much as they can before making a decision 

no disrespect mate and I’m going to be polite but your just a bloke on here who has had prostate cancer the same as the rest of us , your opinion is just that “ an opinion “ we all have them , what I have found is regardless of my past comments on here you never seem to be far away to try to put me right which to be honest doesn’t sit well with me , I even stopped commenting a lot on here but saw snipped post today which really resonated with me as our circumstances were similar , he posted it on the 22nd but no one had replied and yet when I replied and had a common chat with him you seem to be back to educate us on what we should be saying , do you want me to comment on all your posts that I have an issue with ?

apologies if I am reading this the wrong way but I love my cars and have been a massive contributor on a M car forum for years and have seen how things like this can wind you up if you don’t address it ,

Mate as I say above I  read a lot of your comments and don’t agree with some of them but don’t feel the need to pull you up on them so maybe you can do the same with mine as well clearly have different views 

I know you like a pint as do I so I will raise one to you on that 🍻

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 22:12

Any time mate , but  won’t be entertaining 0%👍

hope you and yours have a a good one also, all the best 

 

User
Posted 25 Dec 2025 at 11:54

Hi Adrian

When I had my RARP 15 years ago in London  the vast majority of robots were based in the South East, particularly London, so there were more experienced surgeons there. My surgery was carried out by a consultant at a private hospital by probably one of the few  experienced surgeons in London at the time.  Because I had a problem with my GPs (two of them) unwilling to refer me to an NHS consultant I had to go private. I had private health insurance at the time (not now!) which, after a great deal of wrangling paid up the full cost of £16,500! Had I not been able to go private I probably would not be writing this! However now the robots and expertise are well distributed, at leat in England. I have a friend who was diagnosed in Aberdeen three years ago who was an ideal candidate for RARP but, at the time, there were no robots in hospitals over there according to him. We now live in the Midlands and men around here have had successful RARPs.

Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year

 '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

 

 

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User
Posted 23 Dec 2025 at 23:38

Sounds like a great result mate , I had mine done in August at London Bridge and I suspect by the same surgeon (DC) I was also G7, I was dry immediately after catheter removal , ED seems to be more of an issue than I was hoping for as it was pretty good from the off but 4 months down the line is still much the same , I was hoping because of positive start that I would be back to normal by now so probably expecting to much , need to start using the pump 

only thing I would say is I took it really easy for 3 months and then on a consultation they advised I could start lifting again but still struggle as I was carrying some boards last week that wearnt really heavy and then I had pains below the scar area for a few days so need to check on that 

all the best going forward 

Nick

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 08:53

Hi there. Thanks for those kind words and I hope your recovery continues on track too. We did indeed have the same surgeon - Mr C did me a few weeks after you, also at LBH. Taking a wazz now is like being a teenager again - joyous. Go easy with the lifting! Happy Christmas!

Edited by member 24 Dec 2025 at 08:56  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 09:12

And you matey , all the best going forward  and have a great Christmas 👍

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 10:44

Hi gents. 

This is my third post RARP Xmas. My ex cancer memories are fading. ED is my only remaining side effect, but injections work fine.

It was a frightening time when I was found to be Gleason 9(4+5) capsular breach T3a staging.

My surgeon was a bloke from Hull. Unlike yours he wasn't in the Premier League, more like 2nd division, but he certainly did me proud and it was free on the NHS.

I dont know if you two lads were done for nowt?

The only reason I mention this, is I dont want blokes who are considering surgery thinking that they have to have a 'celebrity' surgeon or pay or have private medical insurance or have to travel to London, to get a good job done. I don't want these blokes to think they're somehow severely disadvantaged by not being 'done' by the top men.

I shall always be very grateful to my man. He must have been on top form when he did me. That's why I always send him a note of thanks in his Xmas card.

Good luck to you both and may we all have a cancer free Xmas for years to come.

 

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 10:51

My husband isn't having surgery but on the ADT and RT route but I follow anything with interest. This is a very thoughtful post. We're investigating keeping things going with love and joy if you understand. Lots of both to everyone  

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 17:58

Adrian I have mentioned numerous times on here that I paid privately and  I would advise the exact opposite of what you say in relation to your statement I have pasted below 

“The only reason I mention this, is I dont want blokes who are considering surgery thinking that they have to have a 'celebrity' surgeon or pay or have private medical insurance or have to travel to London, to get a good job done. I don't want these blokes to think they're somehow severely disadvantaged by not being 'done' by the top men.”

I DO want people who are considering surgery to go to great lengths to ensure that that are having it done by a well respected high volume surgeon , doesn’t have to be as you put it “ a celebrity surgeon “ but given the scale of this procedure and side effects this surgery can cause if not done well then surely it’s worth getting the very best in the field , this doesn’t have to be done privately but may mean having to travel to a different area if being done on the NHS 

The NHS surgeon who I was allocated to wouldn’t have gone near my Christmas cake with a scalpel let alone me ,to many people are suffering from extreme side effects because of inexperienced surgeons 

Glad yours went well but many peoples don’t purely because of the surgeon 

 

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 18:21
Niko1000 you are correct to say you need to be an informed patient and do your research regarding the skills of your surgeon to give you the best chance at a good outcome.

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 19:57

Snipped

Sounds like a great outcome…onwards and upwards. Totally agree as I think it’s critical to look at surgeon track record and high volume stats.

it was a privilege to be able to select my surgeon and the Prof whocantbenamedonhere did a fantastic job as still undetectable 6yrs down the line and life pretty much normal.

I’m able to do calithenics in the gym without a second thought although I don’t let my bladder max out when training hard.

have a great Xmas all!

Edited by member 24 Dec 2025 at 20:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 20:26

Niko.

If you look back through my posts. You'll see that I always say throughly research your surgeon and get the best that you can. In fact, I've often moaned about BAUS removing the operating statistics of their surgeons. It makes researching them much more difficult than it used to be.

I post a link to this video in all my posts to those considering surgery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fyYTLZpxnB9HaR7O4xQ5Ff58Pj4Cn6ZB/view?pli=1

It is presented by one of the top surgeons.

My 'celebrity' surgeons comment wasn't meant to be in anyway derogotary to the  surgeons or those selecting them. Eminent or celebrated, would have been better words. 

I don't know for sure, but would guess that most of the very best surgeons do far more private than NHS work, and therefore cost is a factor. 

All I was trying to say was, sadly, not everyone has the means to afford the best surgeons or treatment. Some have to simply have what the NHS has to offer.

I wasn't decrying those who can afford to pay or have private health insurance, I was merely pointing out that, like in my case, there are very capable NHS surgeons throughout the country and that they are not all London based or primarily focus on private work.

Edited by member 24 Dec 2025 at 21:16  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 21:32

Adrian

most if not all of the private surgeons I spoke to when looking at best options worked for the NHS as well as private 

Your comments to me ( although you don’t really elaborate) read that you shouldn’t worry if your going with the NHS provided surgeon rather than well renowned surgeons and in some way my discussion with Snipped could put people off surgery if they can’t get these high volume surgeons , well I can only say GOOD  as I hope anyone looking at this potential life changing surgery looks into it as much as they can before making a decision 

no disrespect mate and I’m going to be polite but your just a bloke on here who has had prostate cancer the same as the rest of us , your opinion is just that “ an opinion “ we all have them , what I have found is regardless of my past comments on here you never seem to be far away to try to put me right which to be honest doesn’t sit well with me , I even stopped commenting a lot on here but saw snipped post today which really resonated with me as our circumstances were similar , he posted it on the 22nd but no one had replied and yet when I replied and had a common chat with him you seem to be back to educate us on what we should be saying , do you want me to comment on all your posts that I have an issue with ?

apologies if I am reading this the wrong way but I love my cars and have been a massive contributor on a M car forum for years and have seen how things like this can wind you up if you don’t address it ,

Mate as I say above I  read a lot of your comments and don’t agree with some of them but don’t feel the need to pull you up on them so maybe you can do the same with mine as well clearly have different views 

I know you like a pint as do I so I will raise one to you on that 🍻

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 22:08

Hi Niko,

I've been off the booze for 109 days, mate, not that I'm counting.  🙄  But I'd love a festive drink with you, even if mines 0% Guinness.

Happy Xmas, and all to best for 2026.

User
Posted 24 Dec 2025 at 22:12

Any time mate , but  won’t be entertaining 0%👍

hope you and yours have a a good one also, all the best 

 

User
Posted 25 Dec 2025 at 11:54

Hi Adrian

When I had my RARP 15 years ago in London  the vast majority of robots were based in the South East, particularly London, so there were more experienced surgeons there. My surgery was carried out by a consultant at a private hospital by probably one of the few  experienced surgeons in London at the time.  Because I had a problem with my GPs (two of them) unwilling to refer me to an NHS consultant I had to go private. I had private health insurance at the time (not now!) which, after a great deal of wrangling paid up the full cost of £16,500! Had I not been able to go private I probably would not be writing this! However now the robots and expertise are well distributed, at leat in England. I have a friend who was diagnosed in Aberdeen three years ago who was an ideal candidate for RARP but, at the time, there were no robots in hospitals over there according to him. We now live in the Midlands and men around here have had successful RARPs.

Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year

 '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

 

 

 
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