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Radical Robotic Prostatectomy Surgery

User
Posted 23 Jul 2026 at 19:25

My name is Jason and this is my short story,

In the town that I live the lions club organised free PSA blood tests for those over 50, as a typical man when that first letter came through the post for the free PSA test I just chucked the letter aside saying don’t need that I’m fine, but my wife kept on and told me I should go and get tested, so in the end I reluctantly when and had the simple blood test done.

Every year I went for the PSA test and all was fine in the world, but on the fifth year I had the test and the results came back high, score of 7, this was January 2026, still no symptoms what so ever, but was told to see my Dr, so I did and he did the old finger up bottom test and said that my prostate was small and smooth so no real reason to worry, but once again my wife argued with the Dr that I should have another PSA test, reluctantly the Dr agreed after telling us that the test are not that accurate.

I was telling my mum over the phone one day and she suddenly announced the both my grandads died of prostate cancer, this was a bit of a shock to me, I asked her why she never told me about this and she just said it not something you talk about really is it.

Well, went back to the Dr for resalts and saw a different Dr , score was still 7, I told the Dr  what my mum has said about both my grandads passed away due to prostate cancer, this information changed everything, and he booked me for an MRI scan, the results from that showed 3 lumps in my prostate.

Then I had to go for a biopsy, this I found painful and undignified, quite happy to tell anyone more about that and exactly what happens if your going to have one done or curious.

From the biopsy I was told I had cancer and was giver four options for treatment

Hormone treatment, active monitoring, radiation treatment or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

They gave me so much to read, I felt very overwhelmed with it all, had meeting with lots of Dr and specialists and all trying to explain their treatments.

So in the end went for the radical prostatectomy surgery.

Had my operation on the 12th May 2026 only 5 months after my first bad PSA test. The operation went well, again anyone wanting to know exactly what happens I am happy to go through that in every detail.

Had catheter fitted for two weeks after operation and then had that removed, I did struggle with having the catheter especially at night, and every time I went for a poo. Was told that incontinence was very likely after catheter removal, so spent a fortune on covers for the bed and nappies but from the first night I had no issues so very luck there.

Had my staples out on a Friday but that night the wound above my belly button open up so had to use tape to hold it together till the morning so I could go to A&E Saturday morning, they left the wound open and just dressed it, so now have a bigger scare, but in the big scheme of things a small price to pay,

 

6 weeks after operation I was back to work but taking it easy.

It’s now 9 weeks on and I still wear pads as a safety thing but not very often that I have a dribble, only if I don’t think when I cough, laugh, or get up to quicky without thinking about it.

Had my PSA test two weeks ago and the cancer it undetectable so magical news.

I have been active with pushing man at work and outside of work to get a PSA test, been to a few talk groups to share my story and help others understand in full what happens and what to expect.

So If anyone would like to know more in every little detail, with no punched held back then please let’s talk, it’s what we man are not good at is talking about this sort of stuff and we should be.

I am 55 years old and thought this sort of thing would never happen to me, it only happens to others, I'm fine......how many men think that, I did.

Lets talk.

 

Edited by member 25 Jul 2026 at 23:16  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 23 Jul 2026 at 22:05

Excellent post. Well done and hope your recovery continues as expected.

I had prostatectomy 16 years ago when I was much older than you and I am still doing well and we have just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary.

 '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

 

 

User
Posted 24 Jul 2026 at 18:49

Hi Adrian,

Nice to chat to you, I have read lots of your post and they have helped me more then you will ever know regarding erection issues and stuff, its a breath of fresh air hearing people being totally honest and open and to the point with a little humour thrown in, so want to thank all on here, all the talks and displays I organise will be strongly recommending this forum. I have learnt more on here there anywhere else, it does make you feel the problems I am going through less of a problem and understand why they are happening.

As I always say to everyone...lets talk.

so below is clip from my resalt letter. 

1,CPG, 2, low-intermediate-risk prostate cancer, Gleason 3+4=7 adenocarcinoma of the prostate, in
the left posterior with maximum tumour length 6mm and pattern 4, 20-30% and Gleason 3+3=6 on
the right side of the prostate, totalling 9/16 cores with presenting PSA 3·8.
2,  Digital rectal examination (DRE): T2a on the left.
3,  MRI, January 2026, 7mm focus in the left posterior apex, Likert-4 in 36cc prostate.
4, Strong family history of prostate cancer, his uncle and both grandfathers.
 

Until I told Drs that both my Grandads died of prostate cancer It felt that no one was that bothered, but as soon as that information came to light everything changed.

Edited by member 24 Jul 2026 at 19:10  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Jul 2026 at 19:07

Cheers, Jason. That extra information is very useful.

Thank you for your kind remarks, and keep up the good work in spreading the word about this diseae. 👍

Edited by member 24 Jul 2026 at 19:12  | Reason: Additional text

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User
Posted 23 Jul 2026 at 22:05

Excellent post. Well done and hope your recovery continues as expected.

I had prostatectomy 16 years ago when I was much older than you and I am still doing well and we have just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary.

 '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

 

 

User
Posted 23 Jul 2026 at 23:40

Thank you and congratulations on your 60th wedding anniversary, I will be celebrating my 35th wedding anniversary in October, with out the support of my loving wife and family I would have struggled to get through this, why I am so active in helping others that don't have the support of family and friends.

I am also organising a big campaign at work to boost awareness of prostate cancer 

User
Posted 24 Jul 2026 at 12:12

Hi, Jason.

Welcome to the forum. It's great that your first post-op PSA test is undetectable and that incontinence problems are minimal. 

As you are aware, the range of the disease can vary enormously. Certain factors can often affect recovery rates.

Your PSA level was 7, but can you give us your cancer staging and Gleason score? My guess, as you were also offered active surveillance, is that your disease was low grade, Gleason 6 or 7 (3+4) and T2, prostate contained?

This information would be useful for those who may have a similar diagnosis.

Your post-op histology results would also be useful. Did your Gleason score remain unaltered?  Was the disease prostate confined? Did you have negative surgical margins?

I wish you a speedy and full recovery. Please keep us updated. Your story will help others. 👍

Edited by member 24 Jul 2026 at 12:19  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 24 Jul 2026 at 18:49

Hi Adrian,

Nice to chat to you, I have read lots of your post and they have helped me more then you will ever know regarding erection issues and stuff, its a breath of fresh air hearing people being totally honest and open and to the point with a little humour thrown in, so want to thank all on here, all the talks and displays I organise will be strongly recommending this forum. I have learnt more on here there anywhere else, it does make you feel the problems I am going through less of a problem and understand why they are happening.

As I always say to everyone...lets talk.

so below is clip from my resalt letter. 

1,CPG, 2, low-intermediate-risk prostate cancer, Gleason 3+4=7 adenocarcinoma of the prostate, in
the left posterior with maximum tumour length 6mm and pattern 4, 20-30% and Gleason 3+3=6 on
the right side of the prostate, totalling 9/16 cores with presenting PSA 3·8.
2,  Digital rectal examination (DRE): T2a on the left.
3,  MRI, January 2026, 7mm focus in the left posterior apex, Likert-4 in 36cc prostate.
4, Strong family history of prostate cancer, his uncle and both grandfathers.
 

Until I told Drs that both my Grandads died of prostate cancer It felt that no one was that bothered, but as soon as that information came to light everything changed.

Edited by member 24 Jul 2026 at 19:10  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Jul 2026 at 19:07

Cheers, Jason. That extra information is very useful.

Thank you for your kind remarks, and keep up the good work in spreading the word about this diseae. 👍

Edited by member 24 Jul 2026 at 19:12  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 24 Jul 2026 at 19:23

The Surgeon visited me after I woke up and told me that as far as he can tell the cancer was contained, he also said that he managed to save all the nerves, this was great news since he did say that saving the nerves was unlikely preop.

Only issues I really found hard after the op was the catheter, every time I wanted to go for a poo I would site on the toilet and wee would come out the sides of the tube and be very painful, eye wateringly painful, so much so I had to work myself up to go for a poo, wee would spray everywhere so had to but toilet paper on the end of my willy to stop it going everywhere, never stopped the pain though. 

At this present time 9 weeks after op I am taking one table (Tadalafil 5mg) and using a pump twice a day to help circulation, to be honest I am not keen on using the pump but it is what it is. Still use a pad just in case of a dribble, but not often I do get them, it's more of a safety net and confidence booster, the NHS Squeezy app has really helped with control of my bladder.

All in all I feel I am doing very well, was worried about sexual things but after reading stuff on this forum have been filled with confidence to try other things.

 

Edited by member 24 Jul 2026 at 21:16  | Reason: Not specified

 
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