1. < Prostate Cancer

Any tips for first few days immediately following prostate surgery?

Posted by shep247 @shep247, Jul 10 12:16pm

I am just under 2 weeks from robotic surgery and wondering if those who've gone through it have any suggestions for making life easier around the house during that first week.
-For example, with sleeping arrangements, could you lay flat in your bed or did you have to sleep in a recliner during the 10-day catheter phase?
-When were you able to do stairs? I am figuring I'll just move a bed down to the main floor level ahead of surgery and use that instead of attempting stairs the first week.
-I've read that the pain meds can make one constipated which creates straining issues for the incisions, so I was figuring smoothies with Miralax for a few days or was this a non-issue?
-Had heard it's a good idea to have a bucket to carry the catheter bag around too.
Just looking for ways to be prepared and what to expect, physically, those first few days.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

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shep247 | @shep247 | Jul 11 9:04pm
In reply to @trusam1 "My experience as a 74 year old...once I left the hospital, I did not need opioid..." + (show)
@trusam1

My experience as a 74 year old...once I left the hospital, I did not need opioid pain meds, which are indeed constipating. I alternated among extended release tylenol, extra-strength tylenol, and alleve, staying within the recommended 24 hour maximum dosages. I used a leg bag for the catheter...ask for one when leaving hospital. I slept fine on my back. I began walking the day of surgery, and kept it up every day. I could go up and down stairs OK.

Your body knows how to heal itself; gentle movement and extra sleep/rest help the process.

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Thank you, sir!!

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shep247 | @shep247 | Jul 11 9:06pm
In reply to @stevemaggart "I had surgery 2 weeks ago at Mayo Clinic. I was able to sleep on my..." + (show)
@stevemaggart

I had surgery 2 weeks ago at Mayo Clinic. I was able to sleep on my back in my bed just fine; the first night was definitely the worst. The pain was actually pretty minimal and I got better quickly and started walking. 2 to 3 times a day by the 2nd day. I really didn't feel like eating, and eating very much at all caused me a lot of discomfort so I did get the benefit of losing 12 pounds! I don't think stairs are a great idea, especially from a potential fall. I've had several major surgeries over the past few years and this one was the easiest from a pain and recovery time standpoint. I agree with others that the catheter is obnoxious but little pain. Its common, and my situation is a bit worse than normal due to the non-nerve sparing procedure and tissue removed due to tumor growth, but incontinence after catheter removal is the biggest deal so, DO YOUR KEGAL EXERCISES! It's going to be OK and you will do just fine.

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Thanks for the feedback! Working on Kegels for sure. Glad your recovery is coming along.

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shep247 | @shep247 | Jul 11 9:06pm
In reply to @dcdixon "I ate alot of prunes to avoid constipation and it seemed to work. I slept in..." + (show)
@dcdixon

I ate alot of prunes to avoid constipation and it seemed to work. I slept in bed, but found I was most comfortable with pillows to raise my head and shoulders and also a pillow under my knees. I suppose a recliner would have worked just as well but didn't think of it. Despite being tethered to a catheter, the leg bag permits mobility and I tried to get out of the house everyday for a walk. Even though the pace was slow getting outside was a plus for me.

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Thank you!!

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shep247 | @shep247 | Jul 11 9:07pm
In reply to @kenhorse "I too slept in a recliner the first week after surgery (catheter was removed 7 days..." + (show)
@kenhorse

I too slept in a recliner the first week after surgery (catheter was removed 7 days after surgery). Tylenol was all I needed as well and that was only for the first 2 or 3 days post op.

Once the catheter was out, I slept in my bed again

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THank you!!

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shep247 | @shep247 | Jul 11 9:08pm
In reply to @web265 "Wow, I was just thinking last night of how far I've come since the surgery. I..." + (show)
@web265

Wow, I was just thinking last night of how far I've come since the surgery.

I recall having a lot of pain the first day or two that improved very quickly. I think I took half a prescription pain pill each the first two nights. I wasn't excited about taking them but my 3 nurse sisters all agreed that it was more important that I sleep to aid recovery. After that nothing.

I slept in a recliner for the first couple nights then moved to my bed on my back. My room's upstairs so I was climbing the steps a couple times a day by day 2 or 3.

I used a small office sized garbage can for the large bag as well.

Don't be alarmed if you see a speck or two of dried blood in the cath tube or collection bag. I wasn't told and did call the doc. I'm not saying don't call if you see feel something you don't expect, but, you may see this. I also had a little puss around the outside of the tube when pushing a little too hard one day during the morning constitutional. All part of the normal healing process I was told.

I was walking around the block with a leg bag by day 3 and driving shopping etc shortly after that. I would just suggest that if you go this route be close to a bathroom until you get used to the volume. Those leg bags are small and I managed to create a "need a place to empty this thing" situation on an outing.

May you heal quickly!

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Thank you for all the great suggestions and feedback!

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michaelcharles | @michaelcharles | Jul 12 6:30am

Professional PT direction for proper Kegel technique helped me immensely.
1 visit preop (no time for a 2d) and a few postop.
Utilized Kegel "tightening" getting up, down and around house.
DO NOT do Kegel exercises with catheter in place; practice before and after.
Large urine bag in plastic bucket. Walked in house w/ bucket in 5 min intervals/20 daily.
Keep catheter clean and lubricated (handout and Utube instructions) to avoid infection.
Actually removed catheter myself in shower stall; incredibly easy with some direction from Surgeon's assistant. However, that is another story for another time.🤭
Good luck; you will do well.

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Jerry | @jerryegge | Jul 12 8:35am

I was 72 when I had my surgery. I alternated between Advil and Tylenol. I slept fair the first night and good thereafter. I used a leg bag. I slept fine on my back. I began walking the day of surgery. Just a short walk the first day. I think walking is important. When I traveled home, I took some extra clothes along in case of leakage. As it turned out, I needed them while waiting for my flight connection in Denver.
My surgery was non-nerve sparing as my cancer had spread. As a result, I was incontinent for about 10 months. I quite grateful that I’m completely continent now. I have no erectile function.
Good luck with your recovery. The pain should be minimal: you’ll do fine.

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Jul 12 10:21am
In reply to @web265 "Wow, I was just thinking last night of how far I've come since the surgery. I..." + (show)
@web265

Wow, I was just thinking last night of how far I've come since the surgery.

I recall having a lot of pain the first day or two that improved very quickly. I think I took half a prescription pain pill each the first two nights. I wasn't excited about taking them but my 3 nurse sisters all agreed that it was more important that I sleep to aid recovery. After that nothing.

I slept in a recliner for the first couple nights then moved to my bed on my back. My room's upstairs so I was climbing the steps a couple times a day by day 2 or 3.

I used a small office sized garbage can for the large bag as well.

Don't be alarmed if you see a speck or two of dried blood in the cath tube or collection bag. I wasn't told and did call the doc. I'm not saying don't call if you see feel something you don't expect, but, you may see this. I also had a little puss around the outside of the tube when pushing a little too hard one day during the morning constitutional. All part of the normal healing process I was told.

I was walking around the block with a leg bag by day 3 and driving shopping etc shortly after that. I would just suggest that if you go this route be close to a bathroom until you get used to the volume. Those leg bags are small and I managed to create a "need a place to empty this thing" situation on an outing.

May you heal quickly!

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you have the right idea . How old are you ?( if really young I would expect you to do more walking after surgery . Any other health issues? . Yes , lie on your back in bed or whatever is comfortable. Dont get behind on yoru pain meds, hard to catch up to curve if you use only 'for pain' . If its codeine , then yes , can cause constipation. Blueberry smoothies are great. Move as much as you can . Try walking as much as possible IF it doesn't bother you . Your body will repair better . I did 5km light hikes with the dogs here , nothing crazy , but light hikes helped me . get extra bag , and hose and equipment from hospital before you leave . Try and stay in Hospital 2-3 days after surgery so drs and nurses can monitor you . Sometimes they let you go home way too early . first sign on "odd things" get back to hospital , like Blood in urine, clots in urine, pain , fever , etc . Good luck with this . You have this !!! its a considerable operation, BUT you will do fine . Urologists do a ton of them . Tell your Dr you want a "very detailed Biopsy of ALL materials taken from me during operation" . Also ask Dr if he plans to take out a Lymph node , or maybe 2 nodes , for biopsy .This can be good knowledge . You will be fine in 10 days , even better when tube taken out . James on Vancouver Island .

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jasonfarmer | @jasonfarmer | Jul 12 4:15pm

Shep I am happy for so many men recovering so fast I was not one of them at 59 I did use 16 of the 32 pain pills along with over the counter pain relief. I needed my wife to help me sit up and recline in bed for several days. My bladder was very unhappy with catheter. But know it is ok I made it just fine just not as easy as most others. I struggle with a single step into my house while most others can walk stairs the day after surgery including my cousin who climbed full flight of stairs the day after. No regrets about my surgery. This is not to worry you just letting you know even with a few bumps in the road it will be fine.

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retireddoc | @retireddoc | Jul 12 6:46pm

After my RP I had catheter in for 10 days. Use vaseline to lubricate where the catheter enters your penis. Pull back the head and lube the catheter so it doesn't irritate your penis as it slides a little back and forth.
I never used prescription pain meds. I alternated Extra Strength Tylenol with Ibuprofen for a few days.
I slept in my own bed without a problem. I used the hook on the catheter bag to attach to bathrobe or pants when I was walking around the house.
Some people get the hiccups for a day after surgery as the residual CO2 they inflate your abdomen with can irritate the phrenic nerve/diaphragm until it is all absorbed. TO me, that was the worst part.
When you go to have the catheter out at the urologist office take an adult diaper because you will be incontinent to varying degree immediately afterwards.
Good luck.

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