Did you use Colace and do Low Fiber Diet before Prostatectomy?

@fritzo

That combo is good also : ))) - Senna as an option was suggested in my husband's pre op papers too.

Fiber - for colonoscopy it is a no brainier that guts should be clear from any debris, but I have no idea how it could help RARP - it would be interesting to hear their reasoning. 🤓

All in all - since you are very regular, I am sure that you will have no problems. Just keep Miralax on a standby ; ) , just in case you get nervous like my hubby. And use one quarter of suggested dose ! I warned my husband to take a half but even half was really too much.

Whatever you do - do not strain under any circumstance.

@surftohealth88

As far as the reasoning behind low fiber-I guess the concept is switching to low-residual foods a couple of days before helps to make sure the prep actually clears everything out.

This site has way more information than I ever wanted...but the diet tips at the bottom of the page seem helpful
https://int.livhospital.com/robotic-prostate-surgery-how-to-prep-your-bowels/

@fritzo
Hey Fritzo : ),
I just read the "prep" description - I have to say that I never heard of this and my husband's pre-op instructions did not ask for any such protocol.

He was asked to have enema before coming to hospital and not to eat anything after midnight (of course). He was also prescribed special body soap (heavy duty anti bacterial) that was supposed to be used before heading to hospital. Nobody ever mentioned special bowel prep that asked for 48 hours liquid diet, so I really can not give you any valid input, unfortunately.

Just follow what your hospital asked you to do but I would not stress about it, honestly. It is very important that your colon and guts are not full of fecal matter ( that is why no eating and enema are required), but one strand of fiber and 2 chia seeds will not make a difference for prostatectomy , I am absolutely sure of that ; ). On the other hand, diet that they suggested is pretty easy to follow - some chicken or fish with cooked carrots , mashed potatoes or similar sound really nice and of course chicken soup. Avoiding high fiber IMHO would make sense for gass avoidance since one gets very bloated after surgery due to gass that they pump inside the belly during any laparoscopic surgery. Fasting of 48 hours with clear liquids was not part of the protocol here, but you should follow your doctor's advice - he will perform surgery and if he insists on that protocol you should follow it. He might have his own reasons and we do not wish to upset person with scalpel 😜 !!! lol

@surftohealth88
Well, it's partly me perusing too many centers directions for prep for prostatectomy surgery. Lots of different protocols out there.

As it turns out, NW does not require an enema and only one day of clear diet with a round of Magnesium Citrate around 5 p.m. the night before surgery. I don't have to do the soap either. They do allow you to drink liquids up to two hours before arriving at the hospital (just had my pre-op session).

Very glad I don't have to do an enema and the low fiber part is recommended at some centers, but not at NW.

Oh yeah, do not want to upset the fellow sitting in the video-game console in the next room. (some places, the surgeon isn't even in the same room). I've actually photographed robotic laproscopic surgery years ago and they just sit in a video booth with a monitor station with a couple of joysticks to control all of the surgical moves. Quite crazy!!