Pad (for leaking) recommendation after prostate surgery

Thank you for your response! Did your husband do the levels prior to surgery? Also, do you think age makes a difference? My husband is 67.

No he did not have any incontinence issues prior to surgery. Although it has definitely improved. I am not sure if age makes a difference. But he had some issues when they removed the catheter a week later. When they deflated the balloon it did not deflate right and created a ridge so when they tried to remove the catheter as he put it, it felt like they were pulling his insides out through his penis. I think when he screamed it made the nurse nervous so they got the PA and she reinfected the balloon and then deflated it again and it came out fine although there was blood involved and he was in quite a bit of pain the first 24 hours. So his incontinence lasting a bit longer could have been from that. For the most part he is good. He just adjusted his life to accommodate or mitigate the leaking. As far as the pads go he found using the Tommy John’s and Saxx underwear made a difference as far as having leaking that went thru to clothing. I hope everything goes well with your husband’s surgery. I can tell you it has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster with all the side effects for him. He had the surgery in September. But we are getting thru it.

I had my surgery at Mayo in Phoenix. My RARP was a non-nerve sparing procedure which is definitly more impactful than the majority of RARP's, which are nerve sparing. In my case, we drove back to Albuquerque 8 days after surgery. I had to stop and change every 2 hours or so, but it could be done. For me, my incontenience remained quite impactful until about 3 months had passed and then a big reduction in leakage occured. I started, and I still do, cary a small backpack with absorbancy supplies, spare unerwear, and wipes. There has been a lot of discussion about this topic over the past year, so you can probably find 100 different accounts, but for most people, and if you are prepared, two to four weeks after RARP you can travel and do what you want, even if you are still having some significant incontenience?

I am 3weeks after RALP and wearing depends “true fit”now. It’s a men’s brief that fits better than the regular depends. Wore regular depends immediately after surgery.
Will eventually get to pads and then nothing.

Did you do kegerator/pelvic floor exercises? My husband’s surgeon sent him to a physical therapist that specializes in pelvic floor therapy for prostate cancer patients. He does his exercises every morning and evening. I do them with him. I also have him doing more challenging core exercises to strengthen his core.

I had my surgery at 71. I work out regularly and my surgeon said he was looking forward to operating on someone with little belly fat. I’m sure age can be a factor but if he is in good physical condition that would definitely be a plus! Good luck 👍

Yes, religiously. At 2 months I was disappointed with my progress and I found a PT who specializes in pelvic floor. She said my pelvic floor was strong so we started work on my cores and kegals in action, i.e. standing from a seated position, getting up from the floor, reaching, lifting, etc. That all really helped!

I did basic Kegel exercises 5-6 times a day prior to surgery; and every hour on the hour after surgery. 10 quick movements, followed by 10 movements with a 5 second hold. My surgeon had me do them in his presence. He gave the ok. No need for a PT.