Leakage after Radical Prostatectomy

Definitely better. Met with Dr. yesterday to review first PSA results- great results .01 - said leakage will get better and based on daily pad usage on pace since 4 weeks past catheter removal. Had single port robotic surgery - one incision about 2 inches instead of normal 5 incisions.

Single port Robotic ! Good job . I got Laparoscopic 3 years ago , have a little hernia from it at Belly Botton . BUT , my PSA is now 0.014 . Almost off the scale . I did have to get 22 sessions of Salvage radiation ( No ADT ) 2 years ago , as my PSA rose to 0.14 , so RO , said lets do it now to kills cells . Feeling good ! Your PSA will fluctuate . Now at 0.01 is a great start . Please keep me informed , im interested where you go and heal . Yes ! Your Dr is right - most guys heal up by the 6-10 month level on the urine leaks , ED at the 1 year-2 year mark . Where did you get surgery? You live in USA ? James on Vancouver Island

After catheter removal I would readily leak in a dribble or a short quick stream with certain movements. I regularly do kegals as advised. At 7 weeks I practice tightening up as I stand, climb stairs and walk. It has been effective at reducing leaks from expected movements. Certain unexpected movements may cause a brief leak.I track by weight of pads/briefs. It has been going down to about half of what it was even a week ago. Hang in there. It can take dedicated work and patience.

I really wish more urologists would advise patients about this
The American Urological Association published guidelines for urologists ( just updated in 2024) regarding just this: incontinence following protatectomy.
,Guideline six states 'Clinicians should inform patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate after radiation therapy of the high rate of urinary incontinence following these procedures. (Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C)

a peer reviewed article (see below) the majority of patients recover continence over a period that is variable, and can range from 6 months to 12 months in most cases,

in the research I have encountered the vast majority of men experience incontinence. the majority get better but close to 49-55 months ( so figure around a year, if you beat it great.

Of course there are men that have no incontinence, and some get better within weeks. I am so very happy for them
I am close to a year and am better than I was in the spring and summer. It has been a very long and unpleasant road.
I would do it all over again as my PSA is now very low so the bigger issue cancer and life expectancy are not so imminent. I just wish I had been given a heads up about the very probable likelihood of long term incontinence

The research also supports pelvic muscle training and bladder re-programming ( this is Kegels++

I wish you good luck

For any urologists reading this, please check out the American Urological Association regulations which include patient education- telling patients upfront about these expectations
https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/incontinence-after-prostate-treatment