Awaiting Robotic Surgery!

Jacey,

Like you I'm reasonably fit. I was encouraged to wear my surgical stockings for a month after being released from hospital and to use the self injections too and did so, more to please my wife if I'm being honest, but nevertheless the surgeon who performed my operation was quite clear that he thought both were necessary. Also, when I mentioned to him that I was about to embark on a long motorcycle ride to Austria a few weeks later he also asked me to wear the surgical stockings whilst on the bike.

So probably worth doing. As an old friend used to say 'you won't lose by it'.

Steve

Edit

My port wounds were sealed with some kind of surgical glue but no other dressing and I was told that I could shower with no ill effects to them. The only issue I had was with the drain tube hole in my left side that took a little longer to heal over than the surgical ports and I know of another who's drain tube hole was problematic too. Just something to be aware of although I'm sure yours will be fine.

Edited by member 09 Aug 2014 at 23:27  | Reason: Not specified

Thanks again, Steve, for your input.

I'll raise the issue of anticoagulant therapy with my surgeon prior to the surgery. It might be a case of overtreatment/overkill in my case!

I have not yet ruled out those darn injections!!

I shall certainly pay particular attention to any wound dressing. Thanks!

Regards,

J

Lyne,

I was quoting what we were told regarding anticoagulant therapy for all patients following cancer surgery. It's, obviously, standard practice at UCLH based on their own research evidence.

Nonetheless, I am still intrigued by it. DVT has always been a potential complication of hospitalisation with or without surgery. Why the big fuss now?

Anyway, this debate has little relevance to subject matter of this forum IMO! 

Regards,

J

It may not seem particularly important to you but this is an open forum and we all have a responsibility to ensure the information we post is as correct as possible and doesn't create undue panic. You stated that all men get these things and that the injections are mandatory, neither of which are right. Any new members who don't know better could read this and have unnecessary worry & stress about the fact that they didn't have the injections or haven't had a visit from the nurse. What is true for you may not always apply to every case or every hospital or every CCG and trying to second guess what others will do with the information you post is a skill in itself. You are very new here so it may be hard to imagine but there have been times when members have demanded certain treatment routes or services simply because someone on here posted that it 'always happens' and then been terribly upset and frightened when their own medical team have refused or pooh-pooed the idea.

Hi Rodders,

Thank you for your input and good wishes.

Although I am well prepared and informed about my pending op, I very much value members sharing their  own personal experiences. I feel a lot can be learnt despite our own individual circumstances. There is always the possibility of something unexpected going wrong!

I read with interest your experience about tackling ED. Very useful to know! 👍

Regards,

J

Lyn,

My apology to anyone if I have caused any confusion, panic or otherwise. It is certainly not my intention to misinform or mislead members on such a serious matter!

I have read the forum T & C and do not believe I breached any of them.

You are right that we all have a responsibility to others as well as to ourselves may I add.

I take that responsibility very seriously indeed and expect others to do the same.

I acknowledged and recognised, as shown by my previous posts, that our circumstances are unique to ourselves and, therefore, may not be applicable to others.

As you pointed out this is an open forum. Unfortunately, as such, posters comments can be interpreted to suit whoever reads them. I cannot take responsibility for that as we are all adults.

If my comments are deemed to be inappropriate, malicious or rude, I would expect the forum moderators to censor me or take whatever action they feel they need to take.

Regards,

J

Hi Rodders,

Thank you for your continued support and advice.

Yes, I'll be fitted, pre-operatively, with anti blood clotting stockings and given an injection to stop me getting blood clots during the op.

There was no mention, so far, of any other pre-op taking place a few days before. I expect there would be procedural variations, be it clinical or organisational, between hospitals as long as patients gain the best and safest of outcomes!

One thing I do dread above anything else, post-operatively, is the possibility of nausea and vomiting (quite common following GA, general anaesthesia) which I hate! So, anti emetics would be very handy! I wonder whether I can choose to have an epidural instead.... I wouldn't mind staying awake and chatting to the Robot!! 😜

Regards,

Jacey

From what I can remember the robot at Bristol wasn't very talkative......http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif

Expect it'll do more chopping than talking!! 😎

No, I was very happy to be in the land of nod when it was all happening thank you very much. Anyway, it was so nice to meet the lovely anaesthetist lady at Addenbrookes, she was a gem.