Looking for men who recently had a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Hi there. I had my surgery on May 25. Right now I’m wearing depends. It is much better I can actually feel when my bladder is full. I’m a mailman with not a lot of access to bathrooms when I’m delivering. I do still dribble when lifting packages or sitting too long then getting out to deliver packages. It does get better even know it feels like it won’t. Keep doing your kegel exercises. They do work eventually. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. Did you sometimes have a good amount of leakage and others not bad? Were your lymph nodes removed? I had Gleason 9’s. Not sure if I have to have radiation to follow up as well until I go back on 9/14.

I had no bladder control for two months. None. However, after 11 months I was 99 continent. It’s now been 20 months now and I grateful to be continent. On a side note, I regained erectile function after 18 months.
My surgeon had to cut wide on one side of my prostate; therefore, I was forewarned it would be a long recovery, despite being in excellent health.
Good luck on your recovery; you’ll get there.

Recommend referral to experienced Physical Therapist for training for Kegel exercises.
Very helpful in regaining continence.
Good luck for a quick and complete recovery.

I had RALP surgery on January 10. 70 YO, fairly active bicyclist and intermittent yoga practitioner. Diagnosed as Gleason 4+3, no metastasis, no radiation or chemo.

Incontinence began to disappear at 4 months. Now, at 7 months post-surgery, incontinence has mostly disappeared. However, I do experience more leakage late in the day, especially if I’ve been working outside in the heat and have had lots of water, or had a couple of glasses of wine at night.

Be patient and do the Kegel exercises - they do work. I found that wearing a pad didn’t prevent me from normal social activities like eating out, socializing with friends, etc. Initially, I needed to change pads every hour, so always stayed close to a powder room and carried spares with me.

I experience no leakage now when sleeping, seated, driving or riding a bike.

ED is another issue. My surgeon tells me that I should experience a change in 12 - 15 months.

In the meantime, life is good !
Good luck with your recovery,
Jim

Thanks! I wake up about every hour in the night. I do leak but I can go and sit down and I have a stream for about 7 seconds so I assume that’s a good sign. I couldn’t imagine having absolutely no control. I think this is the most difficult part so far. Having to wear diapers and pads is humiliating and very uncomfortable. It helps to relate to others that have gone through the same thing. What were your Gleason scores? I had a couple 9’s so they went wide with me as well. Did you have any follow up radiation or anything?

I just went to P/T today. I guess it takes time and I’m not a patient person. How long did you do the Kegels before you noticed a difference?

Thanks! I hate wearing the diapers. So far I only wear them at night, during the day I wear underwear with the Depend pads which is still weird but not as uncomfortable as the diaper is. I’m not a patient person so I want to be normal yesterday! It’s good to know I’m not alone and it helps to be able to discuss with people who have been through it as well. Thank you!

Bill No guarantee but you should be seeing thing get better by 2 weeks after catheter removal. Then have some good day and a few bad but improve all along. My surgery was June 12 2023 I am 59. I still use pull-up to sleep although it is pretty dry in morning. I used heavy pads in boxer briefs for a few weeks in day time then to medium pads for several weeks now to lighter pads.I have chosen to use pull-up at night just for peace of mind. Only leak or dribble @ 2 tablespoons in 24 hour period. Cough clear throat can cause leaks if I don’t pay attention but every once in a while it doesn’t matter I may still leak . Just had heart ablation procedure yesterday . Now I can take something for over active bladder, which I feel will help greatly. Doctor didn’t want me to start new medicine till after procedure. I truly hope you do well. I feel I am not the only one but I had some pity parties for myself but come out of them pretty fast. A few tears were shed over the past months but come out of it quickly. Positive note : Was successful at inter course with only a viagra 100 mg . Pump is helpful and can make inter course possible many times for me, but was really great to be able to only use 1 pill that one time. I feel that will be the norm in the near future. Patience, faith and a loving wife make it all possible here. Wishing you to best and please remember patience.

Bill I also got up a lot at night maybe 6 or so times a night only to pee very small amounts. I had weeks of peeing up to 22 times during day time that is frustrating. OAB it is better now.