Great comments above on picking the right surgeon. For myself, I looked for a surgeon that had been doing RPs for decades, someone that had done thousands of robotically assisted radical prostatectomies and could make great decisions on the fly during the surgery. I did not want the department head or best research person, instead, I wanted the individual that executed surgeries every day. Reasoning for my opinion --> Before retiring, I was the engineering director. I was an ok electrical engineer, but far far less skilled than my detail focused managers and individual contributors. I was much better at leading the organization and financial based decisions than I was at actually performing the engineering task at hand. I would not want a product designed or built by myself - Same logic was used when I was diagnosed with PC. I wanted the best surgeon, not the best communicator, writer, or leader.

As others have said, definitely pick a center of excellence such as Mayo-Rochester. Then, assess the doctors at that center of excellence for the best one you can find.

I am just over one year from my RP - Fist week was challenging with the catheter and referred shoulder pain. After that, all went well.

Best wishes for all,

Jim