Nerve sparing

[jackcc]

Nate
I have read that if you don't work the penis at this stage it will atrophy. Thats scarey isn't it? The idea is to get blood into that area. The pump will help regain the inches lost during surgery and will pump blood into the penis. It turns purple filled with blood. You can beat the thing to death and not accomplish what the pump will. It has to be used carefully. But it does help. The ED drugs also help bring blood into the penis. They are worthwhile. They also make masturbation easier.
You just had surgery and you can't expect tremondous things so quick. Give it time.

I agree with whats been said about those speedy recoverys where a guy has surgery and two weeks later is having sex with his wife. A lot of lies are being told.
It takes time. Good luck to you.

[*tony*]

Regarding stories about "speedy recoveries": Yes! I've read posts where guys have come out of RP surgery and are in the recovery room and the attending nurse observes that an erection has occured. While I don't doubt that there's always room for that "miracle" recovery, I can't help but think that much of those kind of posts are a combination of wishful thinking and high levels of testosterone and bravado. We all know those bar-room bravado types that always have a story that is, "One better than yours!"

I believe (only my humble opinion) that the vast majority of post RP patients are in a daily struggle with incontinence and ED and are seeking "honest" posts from "truthful" individuals that have no vested interest in frustrating others by telling their bar-room bravado stories.

[*tony*]

Regarding "nerve sparing" surgery: I watched a live webcast of a da Vinci (nerve sparing) RP a few weeks after my operation was completed. This webcast featured the same team that did my da Vinci procedure. It was facinating! The one thing that was made very clear in the webcast was the "nerve sparing" segment of the procedure. Although the team was very careful during this particular segment, there's no question, from what I viewed, that the nerves are stretched and moved around quite a bit. There's no wonder in my mind that there's temporary trama to these nerve bundles. There's also no question in my mind, after viewing this webcast, that it is completely understandable that these nerve bundles will require plenty of time to return to their original position and state within the abdomen. I'm almost 7 weeks post-op and I must say that my progress is very slow but I do see gradual improvement. Yes, maybe someyimes it is wishful and hopeful thinking but, I believe, that kind of optimism and confidence all contributes to overall healing. Maybe a wholistic approach? In summary, I plan to give it plenty of time. Why? Because I have no other choice. Best wishes guys!

[adgetter2]

Nate the Great/Tony,
I'm 1 year post-op from da vinci nerve sparing surgery. Tony, my post-op path report was nearly identical to yours. My PSA' since have all been
undetectable, scheduled for another April 2. Incontinence much better, wearing 1 Serenity pad/day, mainly for security reasons. Nice to have the urinary stream of a teenager again. Visit the bathroom often though as I drink a lot of water. I'll live with it though. On the potency front, things are progressing slowly. I've tried Viagra/Levitra/Cialis with limited success. Levitra seemed to work the best. Get quite a few free samples from my uro.
Also have the Osbon pump, which works quite well. I too have heard the stories of guys getting continence and potency back after a relatively short time. But I think they're exceptions to the rule, not what most of us experience. But I have adjusted to the fact that I'll most likely never be exactly where I was pre-surgery, except I'm cancer free! That's a VERY GOOD THING!

[bghjul]

As you can see your not alone. We all are going through this same struggle. My advice is to keep your mind right, get plenty of exercise, do what you can make your wife happy, and be patient.

We are all in the same boat with you. Trying to get up stream.