We would appreciate it if someone could give us an idea of the recovery time from surgery removing prostate? By this I mean some idea of how much time out of work as well as being able to resume yard work, hiking, etc.

Thanks.

A lot more personal info is needed. Please post things such as age, type of surgery, profession( such as laborer or desk job) and any other specifics you can offer. We are always eager to offer our own experiences, so as soon as you let us know more, we will also. Burmashave

My husband is 58 years old and is thinking that he will have the prostate removed. He has a desk job but is physical a very active man with lots of gardening, hiking, etc. He is in top physical shape as he has used exercise to keep his type 2 diabetics under control.

Thanks

I'm a little younger though not much. I had a successful nerve sparing RRP last Sept and was out of work (desk job) for 6 weeks. I felt like going back at least a week earlier but the wife wanted me to be sure. I was cut loose by my dr. to resume exercise, push-ups, ab crunches, etc., at 8 weeks. I'm doing great now, my 9 month checkup is tomorrow, hopefully the third PSA check of 0.0.

At age 55, and probably not as physically fit as your husband, I was back to work after 4 weeks (desk job), was cleared to resume full activity after 8 weeks.

I was 55 at the time of surgery and in pretty good shape going in. I was off work about 5 weeks but went back to soon. I must preface this by saying that ten days after surgery I developed a bladder infection ( not uncommon) and also a blood clot that caused several problems including an additional 5 days stay in the hospital, thus setting my recovery back

I had an open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in mid-March of this year, at age 56. I chose this method and my particular doctor, because his surgical outcomes for 1000 RRP patients were tracked by an independent third party, and the results were very good with regard to cancer control, contenence, and recovery of erectile function. I did not want to depend on anecdotal or biased data.

Recovery times: After 17 days the catheter was removed. This surgeon generally leaves the catheter in for at least two weeks to minimize the possibility of urethral blockage from scar tissue. It was difficult getting around with a catheter, but being in good shape, I was able to walk frequently, go shopping with my sister, and stay pretty mobile. I started driving right after the catheter was removed. I was fortunate to be continent immediately following catheter removal. I noticed that as soon as the catheter was removed, I had less pain and irritation, and I could start going on extended walks/hikes, as long as I did not carry a load or overextend myself. I went back to my desk work at six weeks following surgery. Like many others, I was cleared to do more strenuous physical activity after 8 weeks. My health insurance covered physical therapy, so I went to a physical therapist for several weeks to get help in easing back into a safe weight lifting program.

My husband is 52 had his surgery in March, he is a truck mechanic with alot of heavy lifting. He was off eight weeks but he wanted to leave the cath in longer ( he had no problem with it) and the doctor said great he kept the cath in almost 4 weeks, he leaked a little but that is all fine now. In fact he ran 3 miles this past weekend in 45 minutes whick isn't bad for an old guy ;) Take care and stay safe geifer

Hey all:

I'm about 6 1/2 weeks post-op. 4 1/2 weeks post catheter. I'm finally now beginning to get back to my pre-op strength. I had the radical robotic laparascopic prostatectomy.

Incontinence and sexual function are a different matter. I still am using 5 pads per day and am having only a very slight engorgement with stimulation (maybe 10-15% increase over flaccid).

Anxiety level is good, though, now that the operation is all behind me!

Ken in NY (now in CA again!)
:)

Greetings from VA,
Perfect topic for those of us who have had procedures during the last couple of months. A couple of guys had the standard "open" RRP, a couple had the laproscopic prostatectomy, and three of us had the daVinci robotic assisted surgery. Recovery times are going to be as varied as the number of guys out there having surgery. From what I have learned, the better your physical condition pre-surgery, generally the quicker one recovers. I kind of say that tongue in cheek because I was in pretty good condition for a 56 yr old prior to surgery, did most of the right things physically going in, but have had a few issues post- surgery with the incontenence and of course the erectile dysfunction (waiting for those sparred nerve bundles to wake up :rolleyes: ). Things are progressing ever so slowly.

I am 5 1/2 weeks post robotic surgery. I never had a problem with pain or discomfort at the five incision sites ... but the sensations and pain deep inside where the ole prostate use to reside has been very surprising and persists to this day. It has decreased only very slightly and the evenings are painfully tough. I spend a great deal of time flat on my back in the evenings. The catheter gave me problems as well and was removed 12 days after surgery. That was a blessed relief to say the least, but I am using 10-12 pads per day because of the constant leakage. I have noticed just a bit of improvement in control in the mornings, but during the day it's a constant battle :confused: .

Like Kenneth, sexual function is returning ever so gradually with about the same engorgement as he reports. My Urologist/surgeon started me on Cialis once a week :confused: to help get the blood flowing to the nerves again as well as pumping up the "unit" once again. (seems once a day would be better :D ). GREAT PATIENCE is definitely called for for anyone post-op. Fact is ... you just don't know, with any certainty, how your body is going to respond post-op and post catheter removal.

GR8HARE's post has me wondering--does anyone know if there are any statistics for recovery of continence and/or sexual function with open RRP vs. laparoscopic vs. robotic? Intuitively, I would assume that general recovery from the surgical wounds would be shorter for the less invasive procedures, but I wonder how they are working out in the side effects department? Certainly, that kind of information might be very helpful to the fellows who are struggling to decide which path to take. Has anyone seen anything?

BTW, GR8HARE, that is really unfortunate about the pain you are having from the former prostate area. One of the positive parts of this whole experience for me has been the absence of any serious pain. The gas pains in the hospital were by far the worst discomfort I experienced. I guess it's just another of the infinite variations in this whole process. Hope it subsides soon.

To All of You:

I have to share that I have, upon occasion, the same pain "deep" inside, where the prostate used to be, as GR8HARE. I take Tylenol 8-hour and it does seem to help. I'm now 6 weeks, 5 days post op.

Another bit of info about bowel movements -- I am still taking 2 stool softeners per per day plus a heaping teaspoonful of Metamucil in the morning. This helps to ease the bowel movements - which can be still painful to me, and I have to approach each morning 'cautiously'. :)

I still get pain if I urinate too forcefully, probably in the bladder neck/sphincter (spasms?) and/or the place where the urethra was re-connected. This is not too awful though, and I just go easy. I guess the good news is that as every week passes, I do seem to be able to retain more and more urine IN the bladder, vs. the pads (about 5 per day now). I think as the day wears on, though, I start to lose more and more control. In the evenings, I'm leaking like a bad faucet. I find if I do the Kegel exercises, the next day seems to be better in terms of control of urine.

Regarding the recovery on robotic vs. open procedures: I think that they get you out of the hospital more quickly with the robotic (not a gaping "Caesarian" type incision); but I have to bet that the pain "inside" is the same because they are still removing the SAME stuff: prostate, seminal vesicles, a lymph node or two, margins, fat, etc. I think there is just less chance of blood loss and infection (maybe) with the robotic. Post-operatively, the catheter time and recuperation are still the same amount of time! And, I believe that with the exception of the incisions (one big one with open vs. 6 holes with robotic) the recovery is the same.

Ken in NY (now back in CA)

Greeting from CA,

I too, experienced the "deep pain" for about 30 - 45 days. It was difficult to place the location, because I couldn't ever actually locate the exact spot by pressing, bending or sucking in my stomach and abs. I finally chalked it up to being the overall "pc location pain" and it did gradually go away, because I don't think about it anymore.

Ken - I can totally relate to the daily bowel movement experiences! :eek: I had a fantastic at-home nurse that visited me daily for one week, thanks to great insurance coverage, and she was a wealth of information. She had me double up on stool softeners and take a SennaCot-type laxative in the morning along with two gas relief gel caps which is simethicone. This combination really helped! BTW, if you get SennaCot or Gas X, save lots of money by purchasing a pharmacy's generic e.g. Rite Aid's Senna and Gas Relief caps. ;)

Urination post catheter was also a new experience as mentioned. I found it was like I was 18 again. Awesome! I agree that you have to try to go slowly as it does produce the odd sensation inside where the bladder neck has been reattached. My wife even commented one morning, "I haven't heard that sound in years!" after I took my first leak, er, blast of the day. :cool: This is also the time to determine that your stream is not blocked by any scar tissue others have posted experiences about. To this day, I am still amazed at how I can completely void my bladder, because pre-op was another story. :(

Recovery time for each procedure certainly varies. My research and my doctor's patients' experiences indicated that the robotic operation, due to being far less invasive, allows faster and less painful recovery time, and I totally agree! Yep, the pain inside is probably the same, except for the fact that the area of pain has to be much less due to not being "opened up like a bass on the dock" via the traditional, radical procedure. Loss of blood is a HUGE factor. The robotic procedure produces no more than four to six ounces of loss vs up to three to four units. That's significant! :eek: The catheter duration and post-cath sensation is probably the same, except for what I've read on this board, it appears to be longer for the non-robotic procedures. It's just sooo great to get that "plumbing fixture" removed as evidenced by everybody's comments.

Has anybody who's had the robotic procedure, or traditional for that matter, found a way to get the incision(s) to "lighten up" as far as color and intensity? I have been tempted to rub in some Neosporin ointment. Mine are still fairly "bright," even though being only about a half inch in length, times six. Thanks for any ideas. I plan on doing a lot of swimming and relaxing around pools on our vacation this summer. ;) I guess I'll be a walking advertisement for robotic surgery. Hey! That's almost like the people who are getting permanent tattoo ads for companies on their heads and necks I saw on the news awhile back - but they get paid and I won't. :( Ah, but they're sanity is questionable! ;)

John my husbands doctor told him to rub vitumin E on his insison and that it would lighten the reddness and do it a couple times a day. Just cut open the capsule and rub it on. Mu husband had his operation in March he had the RRP and he has no leaking he just got back from a three mile run in Ohio's 95 degree heat ( really odd for June ) today. Sometimes I think it is the skill of the doctors not the way it is removed. Maybe I am speaking out of turn but it seems to me there are pros and cons in each way you have the surgery done. My husband recovery was good and little side affects but his recovery was longer than the robotic way. We go to the man to man support group here and there are men who have had all the differant ways plus seeds, freezing etc... and some think the old fashion way is the best. Take care and stay safe and have a good weekend geifer ;)

Geifer,

Thanks for the vitamin E tip. I should have thought of that, because your comment jogged my brain to remember that my wife did that a few years ago to lighten a dermotology procedure scar on the back of her calf. I'll bust open a capsule tonight rub away. Thanks!

My father is 62, very physically active (runs 3 miles 3 times a week, lifts weights opposite days), has a desk job also, and had his surgery 3 weeks ago. This week was his first week back to work! He took only 2 off (worrying all his family and his secretary.. )

However what fools we were! After being released home the second day home he was up and about getting 8-10 block walks in. Near the end of the week he was putting in over a mile or two. And by the middle of week 2 of his time off, he was becoming bored and antsy to get back to work (and catch up with everything.) And he intends to start running as soon as he gets his doctors OK again.

I think he's a bit of an acception to the rule, but my father has also spent his time doing EXACTLY as told by his doctor. (i.e. if he says, you need to walk 3 miles, he walked 3 miles.) In fact...if he told him to hop on one foot in circles, he would of done it..

So I wish your husband luck and to listen to his doctors but also to what his body is telling him he can handle. :) It varies so much for everyone!

I had my RRP at age 52. I was in reasonably good shape (although at 6'2" I weighed 270)- I played volleyball twice a week and occasional basketball. I work in hospitality services (mostly housekeeping) and do a lot of lifting of tables and chairs. I missed 15 days of work after surgery and my overall strength returned amazingly fast. I was doing my full duties within six weeks. I did wear a pad for several weeks because a sudden lift or sneeze could catch me off guard, but it was no big deal. I am now 11 months out from surgery and with the exception of needing Viagra, life is normal.

can any one tell me how long this feeling of needing a bowel movement will last . I,m now on my fourth week of post-op. It seems that i get one good day and then step back two....... :bouncing:

ghost49,
Lilke everything else post-op, it really depends on the individual. One thing I am learning during my recoverey is everyone of us has a slightly different story to tell regarding recovery. I had a bit of the same sensation you are experiencing and it subsided after about 5 weeks. I also had horrific perineal pain for 5+ weeks and the two were probably related. Since then though, I have been totally free of pain and the bowel urgency sensation.

We all went through the wringer internally and the trauma from surgery doesn't subside or resolve itself quickly. For awhile I had the feeling like there was something definitely missing "inside" and that what was still there (bowel, bladder, fatty tissues, etc) was fighting for who got to occupy the vacant space left over from the missing prostate. Doesn't make much sense I know ... buit that feeling of two steps forward and one step back lasts for awhile as well. Best of luck to you, sounds like you are making progress ... it does take awhile though.

Thom in VA.