Surgeon appointment for Robotic Prostatectomy: Questions to ask?

Posted by oskarpr @oskarpr, May 16 9:03am

Tomorrow I will have an appointment with a surgeon for possible robotic surgery (prostatectomy).
59yrs old
Gleason score 3+4=7
One positive core 1.6cm
Acinar adenocarcinoma
PSA 6/12/23= 4.24
PSA 12/12/23=5.13
BPH on Finasteride
Prostate volume =34cc
Previous surgery double hernia repair more than 10 years ago.
What questions should I ask to make an good decision on treatment?
What should expect from him as far as they can offer?
What will be a red flag, that clearly tell me don’t trust your prostate to this surgeon?
Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciate it.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

mn281 | @mn281 | May 17 2:30pm

In reply to @themurfs "If you don't mind my asking, what is the Hood technique?" + (show)

Here is a link describing the procedure:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33067016/

Basically, it preserves anatomical structure and results in much quicker return to continence in the data provided.

heavyphil | @heavyphil | May 17 3:37pm

Don’t believe any surgeon who gives you his batting average on ED and incontinence. I went to the “biggest” name in NYC - a man who advertises total potency and continence after the procedure. I have NEITHER almost 5 yrs out but I don’t really him for that since I know everyone is different and we all react differently. But I DO blame him for advertising something that is blatantly false.
Ironically I didn’t go to him for his advertising - I went because of the vast number of procedures performed and the fact that people the world over flew into NYC just to have him operate….go figure….

mn281 | @mn281 | May 17 4:03pm

In reply to @heavyphil "Don’t believe any surgeon who gives you his batting average on ED and incontinence. I went..." + (show)

I would not trust any surgeon who guarantees an outcome. I do, however, believe that a surgeon who shares their previous patients experiences and their track record shows a surgeon who follows up with his/her patients post op and demonstrates a level of confidence in their ability. It’s another data point to help you make your decision vs just qualitative feedback from a chat group.