Quality of life, 2 years post RALP ?

Posted by 71/502 @brucerichardson, 1 day ago

How would you rate your quality of life 2 years post RALP surgery? Scale 1-10.

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retireditguy | @retireditguy | 19 hours ago

In reply to @brucerichardson "@retireditguy also not a doctor. But I think they say 18 to 24 months. Took me..." + (show)

@brucerichardson -- I agree. I've also heard that recovery can take 2 years (or even more in some cases). I probably wasn't clear enough in my comment but what I was sharing was what my doctor told me about my odds at 1 year, not a couple of months. For me, the key point (which I probably failed to adequately communicate) was the idea that recovery often takes a long time, so he was (I believe) setting my general expectations rather than giving me a hard deadline. Thanks for clarifying that point! Best wishes.

melvinw | @melvinw | 19 hours ago

In reply to @diverjer "I sure hope I don't have to stay the way I am now on this incontinence..." + (show)

@diverjer After my RARP in 2015, I never recovered from stress incontinence. Went through 1-2 pads per day. It was pretty annoying, and somewhat limiting for activitites, and a constant worry. My urologist, about two years after the surgery, put the urethral sling surgery on the table and left the decision to me. I underwent a double hernia surgery about 6 months after the RARP, and really was not very keen on yet another surgery for a few years, so I just lived with the incontinence. Finally, in 2023, I had enough of the stress incontinence and did the sling (“mesh”) surgery. It was a complete success, and I recovered from the bruising and swelling (not much pain, just ugly looking priavtes) in a couple of weeks. No more pads. Big upgrade in quality of life.

I had a local recurrence last year (2025) and underwent 8 weeks of radiation therapy. My urologist told me to expect some loss of incontience, even with the sling. Glad to report that that has not happened. Still living without pads. Maybe I am a little more “drippy” than before, but hard to say if that is therapy related or age related (I’m 73). Either way, it is of minor concern compared to the stress incontience.

There is hope for surgically correcting stress incontinence.

Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 17 hours ago

In reply to @diverjer "Thanks for the info, I may be inpatient wanting over this incontinence. I got catheter out..." + (show)

@diverjer
One thing I noticed about this problem, that drives me nuts. I’ll go to the bathroom pee until my bladder is empty. Go back to my bedroom sit down on my bed and the moment I sit down I leak a spurt. The problem standing up is no big deal. The problem sitting down is consistent.

Since I don’t leak it all at night laying down, I don’t have to wear anything for protection.

surftohealth88 | @surftohealth88 | 17 hours ago

In reply to @jeffmarc "@diverjer One thing I noticed about this problem, that drives me nuts. I’ll go to the..." + (show)

@jeffmarc
Jeff - don't you have AUS implant now ? I am so sorry to hear that it did not solve a problem : (

I was thinking - if sitting down causes squirting it is probably because of sudden pressure to your pelvic floor and perhaps even device activation part ? How about you try sitting slowly or sitting first somewhat on one side than slowly leveling up on a chair ? Or, perhaps wait 5 min in the bathroom and try going again so the rest of the urine (however small amount) is released in the toilet.

Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 16 hours ago

In reply to @surftohealth88 "@jeffmarc Jeff - don't you have AUS implant now ? I am so sorry to hear..." + (show)

@surftohealth88
The AUS will be activated tomorrow. Then I’ll see what happens.

I noticed this problem a long time ago. The problem with waiting in the bathroom is that the bladder is constantly being refilled. The longer you wait the more you pee.

I have had my bladder checked by the doctor after peeing and it was empty.

Up till now, I have carried a small towel that I put in front of me when I sit down, otherwise I leave a spot on the edge of the bed.

I brought this up because I think it may be a common problem. I don’t have the problem when I’m standing up.

TurtBean | @turtbean | 15 hours ago

@jeffmarc - I do have a similar problem. I can pee ‘til I’m empty, then do some small activity immediately afterwards, like sitting or reaching to turn the light switch off, and…squirt!

I can bed down, pick up my 20-lb stand mixer, carry it across the room and set it down, no problem, but just a minute or so later, turn partway to my left or right, and…squirt!

I spoke to my care team about it and they suggested I try “massaging” my penis after peeing, to get rid of any last little drips, but that hasn’t really done much good.

It’s bearable, more an annoyance than anything else.

surftohealth88 | @surftohealth88 | 14 hours ago

In reply to @turtbean "@jeffmarc - I do have a similar problem. I can pee ‘til I’m empty, then do..." + (show)

@turtbean
My guess would be that activating obliques causes squeezing bladder and squirting. Perhaps some very good PT would know how to fix that or what muscles need to get stronger to make contra-balance to obliques. Did you try activating Kegel before twisting ?