Quality of life, 2 years post RALP ?

I'm going to say a 7 out of ten. The surgery and recovery took a lot out of me, and I feel like I aged 10 years in the two since. Other health issues from aging start cropping up, and it's a lot of work just to stay in place. Incontinence is no longer an issue, but the ED and the mental stress is.

PS I recommend the Duluth Trading Post mens "Bullpen" underwear if you need to use shields. They have a good pocket in front that helps keep it in place.

@diverjer Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. I would be right there with you with my chainsaw.

I would rate my quality of life at about a 7/10. Details to follow.

I am now 10 months post-RARP. The good news is that my PSA remains undetectable, which is a huge relief. Unfortunately, I am still dealing with significant incontinence despite diligently doing pelvic floor exercises.

I would rate my quality of life at about a 7/10. I am gradually learning how to navigate daily life with pads and incontinence clamps.

I have started educating myself about an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and have already consulted with a couple of specialists in my area. However, I still have a lot to learn about the procedure, its long-term outcomes, and its potential unintended consequences before I can make an informed decision.

At this point, I'm simply not mentally or emotionally ready for another invasive procedure—especially one that involves having a mechanical device permanently implanted in my body.

@soli
Have you ever considered that pelvic mesh ? I think that's what they call it? Suppose to be simple treatment in office and high rate of success. But that is just what I have read, don't know anyone who had it done.

So I think I’m doing good; like an 8 or so. Here’s the major items:
RALP Jan ‘22
Lupron every 3 months starting March ‘22. Side effects of hot flashes, loss of muscle, breast enlargement.
Total incontinent from the start.
Stopped Lupron Jan ‘24. Hot flashes persist to this date. Slowly building muscle with PT.
AUS. Installed March ‘24. Activated May ‘24. Now well under control!!! Very few accidents and only need a thin pad for occasional drips and infrequent leaks.
(Unrelated to PC; had left hip and left knee replaced Nov and Dec ‘24.
Knee had to be revised Feb ‘26)
Oct ‘25 had ‘grade 12’ attacks of back pain three times each followed by chronic pain. One Ortho doc failed to diagnose it from X-ray in Nov. In Dec went to another Ortho “super doc” who found 3 compression fractured vertebrae in thoracic area; fixed with “Kyphosis”. 2 weeks later, 2 more fractured vertebrae and fixed those. Cause is believed to be Osteoporosis caused by LUPRON!! Oncologist said in a noncommittal way it ‘could be’ the Lupron. I think for sure Lupron.

Protection from further Lupron inspired osteoporosis is lots of vitamin D3 and C plus keep my CA in normal range. Osteo doc and Uro doc didn’t agree about Ca. But now both say Ca needs to be ‘normal’ and to be sure to take D3 plus a multi Vitamin with K and other minerals that make my body use the Ca to strengthen bones.
Also, Prolia every 6 months.

With all that, I still say I’m living a good life. I do what a healthy 80 year old can do and enjoy family (grandkids 🙂 and fun.
Good luck to all of you and manage those speed bumps.

@diverjer
It’s called the sling. It works well for some people and just OK for others. If you have radiation in the future, it can stop working.

Doctors recommend against doing it if you have had radiation.

@diverjer

The specialists I consulted believe that, given the severity of my incontinence, an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the preferred option rather than a sling. From my understanding, the male sling is one type of pelvic mesh procedure designed specifically to treat mild stress urinary incontinence.

@diverjer
The doctor turned it on around noon today. It was supposed to take a minute or so to hold the sides in order to activate it took about 10 seconds. Works great……so far.

@surftohealth88
The doctor turned it on around noon today. It was supposed to take a minute or so to hold the sides in order to activate it took about 10 seconds. Works great……so far.

I was worried there would be a problem because I felt a loop of tubes inside near the top of the thing but the doctor says there’s no kinks and it sure worked right away.

I just opened a new package of Tena pads, my last!!!