How long were you Incontinent? How did it come back for you?

I found the same issue if I let the pad get too wet and it seeped through to the depends.

I change the pad about every 1 to 2 hours and only it twice before I change the depends also. If not the lining in the depends gets torn and that is when it jell starts falling out.

I have great success with this the longer I do this. For any long outing (movie, golf, dinner guests) I do both and just change the pad like I said - every 1-2 hours to not let it leak to the depends.

Maybe if you left the tape on it wouldn't tear the depends as easy, so I may try that idea also.

I had my RALP on Jan 26,2026. I had my catheter for 10 days. I was doing my Kegel exercises as soon as I scheduled my surgery. I wore a heavy pad for about 3 weeks for night and day and then went to a light pad during the nights. After about 8 weeks I use only a light pad for day and night. Needing to change the light pad maybe once during the day. No issues at all at night for the past 2 weeks though I do get up at least once during the night to drain my bladder. I might go back to the heavier pad for workouts and bike rides just to be safe for now. I have read all types of research and it all seems to be based on individual experiences.

@rodbryce
Ray here, have not had RALP as of yet. Did you have nerve sparing procedure?
Reading that night time return to :normalcy: takes time. Wish I had more to offer.
Wish you the best.

Ray

@rodbryce Eight years. So far.

I was fine after the prostatectomy. Salvage radiation damaged the bladder sphincters, consequently I will be incontinent to the very end. (Kegels won’t help). Been using an incontinence clamp and one pad a day for 4 years. I feel lucky the incontinence does not limit my lifestyle in the least.

I am 72 had RARP Jan 2025
incontinence remains but it is much better. I have realized slow but steady progress.
Having a trained PT definitely helped me
since you are interested in what happened first or the progression this might be useful: https://www.kapadiamd.com/posts/the-stages-of-incontinence-after-prostatectomy/
I had both stress and urge incontinence I think most of the urge is over and related more to bladder retraining than pelvic floor muscle rehab

I think everyone should check this out ( including urologists)
https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/incontinence-after-prostate-treatment
check out Guidelines Statements 3, 4 and 5
Clinicians should inform patients undergoing radical prostatectomy that incontinence is expected in the short-term and generally improves to near baseline by 12 months after surgery but may persist and require treatment. (Strong Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade A)
Prior to radical prostatectomy, clinicians may offer patients pelvic floor muscle exercises or pelvic floor muscle training. (Conditional Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C)
Clinicians should inform patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate after radiation therapy of the high rate of urinary incontinence following these procedures. (Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C) (from the American Urological Association)

I was not aware of this until I found it on my own and learned from others on this list. My urologist should have told me this

In my own world I have only met two other men personally who had RARP both had incontinence for at least a year

Hi,
Need to give it some time. Hopefully in the coming weeks/months you will notice slow but continuous improvement. I peaked out at about a year after my surgery. Do your Keagals and pelvic floor exercises religiously when your doctor gives you the ok. If you don't know what exercises to do ask your doctor for a pelvis floor specialist. The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Dave 3+4