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Post Op Recommendations

Posted by survivor5280 @survivor5280, Nov 8 10:02am

I'm scheduling my RALP for mid January. As someone who tries to be prepared for as many possible outcomes as I can, I want to make sure I'm stocked up on any necessities prior (incontinence underwear, pads, etc).

I've read here and there about some things to make managing the catheter easier, such as a bucket to put the bag in at night. I've also read about attachments and leg straps to make that easier as well. What do you recommend in this regard to make this part of the process easier? The surgeon says the catheter will stay in for seven days.

Just like my last surgery, I am planning to spend the majority of that week in a recliner so I have plenty of flexibility in positions for sleeping and recuperating, I'll make sure that area is decked out with everything I need to do whatever needs done to the greatest extend possible.

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retireddoc | @retireddoc | 2 days ago
In reply to @retireddoc "Just a couple of suggestions. I had RP 3 years ago. I second the notion of..." + (show)
@retireddoc

Just a couple of suggestions. I had RP 3 years ago.

I second the notion of lubricating the catheter with gasoline where it enters the penis. Pull the penis back a little so the catheter is lubed where it goes in. Helps prevent irritation.

But book "Life after Prostatectomy; 10 weeks to continence" by Vanita Gagliani on Amazon. She is a very experienced pelvic floor PT and gives a very detailed instructions how you can become continent quickly. It's more than just kegels. I found it very helpful. She gives instructions to start pre op.

I found the Tena brand of pads the best. I agree with one poster about not buying too many until you see how you are progressing.

This is obvious but needs to be said. You will kinda get used to having the catheter in. unless you have the bag strapped to your thigh 24/7, be careful about getting up and walking without the bag. Ouch! It happened-once!

Jump to this post

Vaseline not gasoline! LOL

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1 reply
peterj116 | @peterj116 | 2 days ago
In reply to @retireddoc "Vaseline not gasoline! LOL" + (show)
@retireddoc

Vaseline not gasoline! LOL

Jump to this post

You had me worried. I had visions of setting fire to it. That's one way to beat incontinence.

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rider51 | @rider51 | 2 days ago

I am about 14 months post-RALP and just wanted to pass along a few comments in response to this post.

-I too was able to forget about the upcoming procedure 90% of the time but also experienced those times of acute concern. We took a long-planned international trip between my biopsy/diagnosis and the RALP and I especially remember laying awake at night due to jet lag and being unable to think about much of anything else other than the downsides of what was ahead. So I think what you are experiencing is very normal.

-it sounds like you have a great plan for preparing, and I am sure that will give you favorable results. I walked about 3 miles daily from diagnosis until the procedure in addition to kegels practice and focusing on a healthy diet and felt that I went into the procedure well prepared. I was able to resume walking after getting home from the hospital and was back to my 3 miles daily within a week or two.

-I experienced almost no incontinence, and certainly hope the same for you. The day the catheter was removed I was expecting the worst but quickly realized I had a high degree of urinary control. I used Depends for a day or two and switched to guards for a week or two and then just used the thin pads. I was free of any pads at about the six week mark. To help monitor progress, I used a small postage scale to weigh the guards and pads before and after use, and recorded the weight gain and graphed the results. It was encouraging to see the progress over time; every day was not necessarily an improvement but the trend line week to week was always in the right direction (decreasing weight of the pad after use.)

You're doing everything you can in terms of what you can control, and I would encourage you to try to avoid dwelling on the negative aspects of 'what might be' . You may be surprised, as I was, at how well things progressed post-surgery. I wish you all the best!

REPLY
chipe | @chipe | 1 day ago
In reply to @retireddoc "Just a couple of suggestions. I had RP 3 years ago. I second the notion of..." + (show)
@retireddoc

Just a couple of suggestions. I had RP 3 years ago.

I second the notion of lubricating the catheter with gasoline where it enters the penis. Pull the penis back a little so the catheter is lubed where it goes in. Helps prevent irritation.

But book "Life after Prostatectomy; 10 weeks to continence" by Vanita Gagliani on Amazon. She is a very experienced pelvic floor PT and gives a very detailed instructions how you can become continent quickly. It's more than just kegels. I found it very helpful. She gives instructions to start pre op.

I found the Tena brand of pads the best. I agree with one poster about not buying too many until you see how you are progressing.

This is obvious but needs to be said. You will kinda get used to having the catheter in. unless you have the bag strapped to your thigh 24/7, be careful about getting up and walking without the bag. Ouch! It happened-once!

Jump to this post

Ok, I have to laugh at this one. I know you did NOT mean to say "lubricating the catheter with gasoline...." :). LOLOL

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