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Had Radical Prostatectomy last week: What are next steps?
Hi, I just had a Radical Prostatectomy on 8/4/22 and made the unfortunate decision to look at my Pathology Report before my appointment with surgeon in 2 weeks. Actually, all data looked good except one margin notation. My Gleason was still a 7 as it was during the biopsy in May. No seminal vesicles, bladder neck, or lymphovascular invasion observed. 15 lymph nodes were removed with no sign of tumor and were given a rating of pN0. The tumor itself was diagnosed as a PT2. However, in two slides of the left lateral location of the removed prostate an invasive carcinoma was present at margin. The length of this carcinoma was 1mm. My last PSA taken in March 22 was 3.46. Now I am concerned what is the next step. I was really hoping I would not require Radiation after the surgery, but not so sure now. Any thoughts. Thank You. Perry Christopher
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I'm about 16 mos post surgery.
I was not "trained" at all in catheter care, just given some written material. I kept sending pics to the doctor through the portal with questions that usually started with "is this normal" lol
Luckily I have three sisters who are are nurses and could answer questions for me.
I can still see the "puncture" holes at this point, they look like pretty much very small dark spots. My surgeon recommended vitamin E cream which you can pick up at any pharmacy. It seemed to work for a spell then I started to notice no difference at all. So...fully heal...I think the packing fell out over about a 2 week period and like any scar they just seem to fade slowly after that. When you start feeling better, you might want to massage the areas a little to minimize scar tissue behind them, check with the doc to see if that may or may not be effective at all. I still feel like I have scar tissue in the muscle behind one that I feel when doing abdominal exercises......or I'm a hypochondriac...LOL
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1 ReactionI had my RALP last August. Day of surgery nurse explained cleaning of tube. Day after when I came home they explained bag removal and emptying. Nothing about moving to other leg. Didn't know you could do that. No one has examined my stitches since surgery. Nothing bothered me so I didn't ask to have them looked at
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1 ReactionHello,
I had an RALP too. I didn’t have any instructions about how to use a catheter; however, I got it to work. It’s been a year now since my surgery. I’ve healed up without any complications; I’m grateful for that. My scars for the most part aren’t very noticeable. I didn’t put any lotion on them. (Actually, I didn’t think about them. I was totally incontinent for two months. This occupied my mind.) I have been physically active since day one; I assume this has helped my body recovery. I can feel my scar tissues in my body occasionally, more noticeably when doing abdominal exercises. While this is the case, I feel exercises are quite important and do them daily. I’ve lost some weight since my surgery. My appetite decreased, and I’ve migrated to a Mediterranean Diet. Good luck with your recovery. I’m sure you’ll do well.
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2 ReactionsI’m 70 and 5 weeks post RALP surgery and pleased with my recovery.
I’m 95+% continent and improving. I believe the exercises are extremely important in gaining continence, so am religious in performing them - Kegel and pelvic floor exercises. I was able to re-start doing sit-ups this past week, which I’m very happy about.
I’ll have my first post-surgery PSA test and followup appointment with my urologist in about 10 days. I hope we’ll review the pathology results from excised tissues during the surgery.
Otherwise, I feel quite good and have been able to resume most physical activities except bicycle riding.
Good luck with your recovery - Jim
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2 ReactionsThe nurses did talk with my wife and me about the catheter and the bags, smaller one for day use and a larger one for night. I was also told (but forgot) about bladder spasms; I freaked when I had one.
Next, my in-home post-surgical nurses were simply about the catheter and not about wound care. And when first meeting the in-home supervisor, I was told that wound care WAS a duty of those nurses. Well, my wounds had zero issues and healed normally. Ergo, I paid little attention to them as time progressed. Now, I have only a couple of small red marks as a reminder
My Urologist and my surgeon each inspected the wounds at the 2-week and three-month visits and thought they were healing nicely.
I wish you well.
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1 ReactionI wish we had been told about breakaway pants that the basketball players use. Snaps all the way down the leg. Would have made living with the catheter so much easier. Needs to be part of the pre surgery visit education. Only available online and take a few days to get. Cost about $30. Also get tight fitting boxers to hold pads after surgery.
Breakaway pants. That is a Great idea.
How are you doing, @tomf?
I am well thank you for asking. The comments here, and advice from a pelvic floor nurse have led me to understand that I was trying to stay dry using poor techniques. Though it may take more time for this impatient guy, the end result will likely be more pleasant. I have to let healing take place. As Bill Murray said, "Baby Steps".
Never too late to learn better techniques. What tips would you advise for others?