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How do you rate your quality of life post prostatectomy (RALP)?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Jul 12 5:10pm | Replies (64)Comment receiving replies
So far, so good! Congratulations!
I may eventually decide to get an AUS, probably after my one-year anniversary following prostatectomy, but I'm not ready for another surgery yet. Before making that decision, I'd like to learn as much as I can from people like you who have been through it. Your experiences and insights will be invaluable.
Replies to "@jeffmarc So far, so good! Congratulations! I may eventually decide to get an AUS, probably after..."
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@soli
I went in at 9 o’clock for the surgery and left a little after noon. They did have to put me under. I really didn’t have any pain right after the surgery. During recovery the next couple of days, I did take a 5 mg oxycodone two or three times because the stitches in my perennial were painful sitting down. After three days, I rolled up a real thick towel and shaped it into a U and was able to sit down on it without any problem. From then On all I needed was Tylenol.
They did open up my stomach, about a 2” opening, but that never really hurt. I could feel it, but it was not painful.
The stitches in my perineum took about a week and a half to heal. I did sit down on a stool about a week and a half after the surgery and it was extremely painful For a few minutes. I think I tore some stitches in my perineum, it healed anyway and closed up.
They told me it would probably be six weeks or more before they would be able to turn it on. For that interim period things worked almost as normal, but I think the swelling inside due to the surgery caused me to leak a little bit less. Five weeks and one day after surgery I was recovered enough that they were able to turn it on. That didn’t even take 10 second. There was no pain involved. It was a simple procedure and worked right away.
I know other people in here have said that they leak a little even though they had the AUS. I don’t seem to be leaking at all. Could be they improved the device or the cuff around my urethra is exactly the right size so it doesn’t leak. I guess I will find out more in time.
There is one drawback of the device. When I have a fairly full bladder and go to pee, it shuts down too quickly after pressing the bulb. This morning, I had to press it four times to completely relieve myself. Each time it would stop the flow and I would have to press it to start it again. The first couple of times this happen I peed on the floor once and on the toilet seat once. Have to use two hands one to hold it so it doesn’t slide around, the other to pinch the bulb. Makes it difficult to direct the tip. Something you have to get comfortable doing.
That’s about all there is to say. It is such a relief to not have a problem anymore. I can go anywhere now and not worry.