1. < Prostate Cancer

Suggestions For Post-Op Success?

Posted by survivor5280 @survivor5280, Oct 31 6:04pm

Without repeating my profile of what I've posted before, I'm 54 and stage 1 but with a very high decipher that moves me from active surveillance to radical prostatectomy.

I'm blessed to have one of the top robotic urologists in the country (not by my own account, easily verified) in my home town who feels confident that he can spare the nerves. I have six more consults with other docs from another local hospital and MD Anderson in medical oncology, radiation oncology and urology still coming up soon and don't know how much better of medical advice I can get.

I'm actively devouring Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer and every online forum like this one that I can get my hands on.

I've reached out to my personal trainer, who also. happens to have a speciality in cancer exercise/health that I was just made aware of and have asked her to blow my core to pieces and crank my pelvic floor until I can't take any more which, to my understanding, is a recommended routine to help with the after effects of a prostatectomy both for ED and incontinence.

What else can I do? Am I missing anything? Do you suggest anything more? I'm the type of person that doesn't let grass grow under my feet, so long as I have some minor power over this then I'm going to wield it, I don't care what it costs or how much of my time it takes.

None of this may make much difference at all, but if it provides even a 1% better chance that I can overcome ED and incontinence or even recover from it faster then that is something that is within my control.

The docs are going to do what they do and I hope my over zealous triple consults with some of the worlds best medical minds in this field will ensure that. What else can I, personally, do? Are there other exercises for my trainer to help me with, better books for insight? A secret disgusting vegetable that's proven to mend all prostate ills? 😂

Everything may still go to hell in a hand basket but it won't because I sat idle and left my fate only to the hands of surgeons.

Thank all of you blessed survivors, bless all of you fellow sufferers and perhaps one day we will all help to put this horrible experience behind men of the future!

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

jeffmarc | @jeffmarc | Oct 31 7:39pm

Broccoli and kale are two vegetables that can help retard prostate cancer growth. In Australia, they make a super broccoli that prevents DNA changes. Prostate cancer was one of the reasons it was developed. They make a soup from which you drink once a week, and is supposed to make a meaningful difference in cancer growth.

Here’s an article that discusses the benefits of broccoli
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10138336/
Here is an image from the study that shows the different broccoli they have developed to work to suppress prostate cancer growth
REPLY
retireditguy | @retireditguy | Nov 1 12:28am

There's another very recent thread that asked a similar question. If you haven't already, be sure to read: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/surgery-in-2-weeks/ Also, this blog has a good search function so it's easy to search it and find a lot more good stuff about kegals, penile rehab, etc. That said, here's a few thoughts for your consideration. Just remember I'm not a medical professional and you should be running everything past your care team and following their instructions. Pre-Op -- start kegals. Lots of good videos (I watched Michelle Kenway videos on youtube for Kegals for men). I didn't use a PT which wasn't ideal, so I do agree with others on this website that a knowledgeable PT is the gold standard since Kegals are hard to do correctly. I don't know if it helped or not, but I lost some weight as it just seemed logical that it might help as I was 12 lbs overweight for my height, so I was able to drop about 8 lbs before surgery. I was already a regular gym rat, but I kept up my workouts right up to the surgery. I also got all the post-op supplies; including a plastic bucket to hold the catheter overnight bag (which helped a lot), got some velcro breakaway pants from Amazon which were very convenient while the catheter was in and well worth the money. A big disposable pad for the bed was also helpful for me in relaxing and not worrying about a little spillage if the tubing pulled apart while sleeping. Also, I modified my diet per the provider instructions and tried the non-stimulative laxative for a few days more than a week before surgery so I knew if I tolerated it well and generally figured out what worked for me and how it'd affect me while I was still healthy before surgery. I think that helped me use the laxative with confidence when I needed it after surgery. I religiously followed all my doctors instructions pre surgery. Post-Op: Again, I religiously followed all my doctors instructions post surgery. For example, his instructions for laxative and diet after surgery worked well for me as I was never constipated after surgery, but rather had easy bowel movements (which is a big deal as you don't want to be straining when you have a catheter and you're recovering from surgery). Similarly, I strictly followed his instructions to me to alternate tylenol and ibuprofen after surgery and my pain level never got above a 2 on a scale of 10. But even with all that prep, the week with the catheter was still very unpleasant. I failed to plan for penile rehab before surgery so I didn't start that for a little while after surgery (I don't remember exactly when). When I became aware of it and asked my care team, then I started Penile Rehab with a low dose nightly tadalafil. You'll definitely want to talk to your doctor about penile rehab since he may prescribe tadalafil or sildenafil or something else. BTW, both are available very cheaply using Goodrx free coupons (or very very cheaply mail order at Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drug Company (although I haven't personally used Cost Plus yet and you have to set up your account before the prescription is sent to Cost Plus). Best wishes.

REPLY
1 reply
VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Nov 2 12:15pm
In reply to @retireditguy "There's another very recent thread that asked a similar question. If you haven't already, be sure..." + (show)
@retireditguy

There's another very recent thread that asked a similar question. If you haven't already, be sure to read: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/surgery-in-2-weeks/ Also, this blog has a good search function so it's easy to search it and find a lot more good stuff about kegals, penile rehab, etc. That said, here's a few thoughts for your consideration. Just remember I'm not a medical professional and you should be running everything past your care team and following their instructions. Pre-Op -- start kegals. Lots of good videos (I watched Michelle Kenway videos on youtube for Kegals for men). I didn't use a PT which wasn't ideal, so I do agree with others on this website that a knowledgeable PT is the gold standard since Kegals are hard to do correctly. I don't know if it helped or not, but I lost some weight as it just seemed logical that it might help as I was 12 lbs overweight for my height, so I was able to drop about 8 lbs before surgery. I was already a regular gym rat, but I kept up my workouts right up to the surgery. I also got all the post-op supplies; including a plastic bucket to hold the catheter overnight bag (which helped a lot), got some velcro breakaway pants from Amazon which were very convenient while the catheter was in and well worth the money. A big disposable pad for the bed was also helpful for me in relaxing and not worrying about a little spillage if the tubing pulled apart while sleeping. Also, I modified my diet per the provider instructions and tried the non-stimulative laxative for a few days more than a week before surgery so I knew if I tolerated it well and generally figured out what worked for me and how it'd affect me while I was still healthy before surgery. I think that helped me use the laxative with confidence when I needed it after surgery. I religiously followed all my doctors instructions pre surgery. Post-Op: Again, I religiously followed all my doctors instructions post surgery. For example, his instructions for laxative and diet after surgery worked well for me as I was never constipated after surgery, but rather had easy bowel movements (which is a big deal as you don't want to be straining when you have a catheter and you're recovering from surgery). Similarly, I strictly followed his instructions to me to alternate tylenol and ibuprofen after surgery and my pain level never got above a 2 on a scale of 10. But even with all that prep, the week with the catheter was still very unpleasant. I failed to plan for penile rehab before surgery so I didn't start that for a little while after surgery (I don't remember exactly when). When I became aware of it and asked my care team, then I started Penile Rehab with a low dose nightly tadalafil. You'll definitely want to talk to your doctor about penile rehab since he may prescribe tadalafil or sildenafil or something else. BTW, both are available very cheaply using Goodrx free coupons (or very very cheaply mail order at Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drug Company (although I haven't personally used Cost Plus yet and you have to set up your account before the prescription is sent to Cost Plus). Best wishes.

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Great advise here . Never knew about Cost Plus Drugs, I wonder if they ship to Canada . Despite the Government health care here and cheaper drugs , the Pharma's have found a way to over charge us ! Going into surgery , yes , try and be in the best shape you can be . Talk to your doctor about being "surgery ready" and the best shape for recovery going forward . I found Suana's helped me recover . Long hikes , even with catheter in I was going on 3-4 km hikes( very slow though) . Its one heck of a big operation , but with preparation it becomes easier . God Bless to all ! James

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