Post RP, will stairs be a problem right after surgery?

Posted by themurfs @themurfs, Apr 20 10:39am

My husband is having a robotic assisted radical prostatectomy in early June. We will be traveling to Mayo and have secured a place to stay but we were concerned because it has a flight of stairs to get up to the unit. Does anyone know if stairs will be a problem immediately after surgery and the first few days following? Thanks for any feedback!

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hbp | @hbp | Apr 20 11:10am

Stairs were not a problem for me. I have a 3 story house

dwb1 | @dwb1 | Apr 20 11:13am

I had the same surgery in Jan. I live in a split foyer house and I was able to get up the stairs the day after surgery. It was slow but with support it wasn't a problem. I avoided the stairs for two days but after that I went up and down but took it slow. The biggest discomfort and inconvenience for the first week was the catheter. I only used pain meds for the first two days.

themurfs | @themurfs | Apr 20 11:14am

In reply to @hbp "Stairs were not a problem for me. I have a 3 story house" + (show)

hpb - thank you!

themurfs | @themurfs | Apr 20 11:17am

In reply to @dwb1 "I had the same surgery in Jan. I live in a split foyer house and I..." + (show)

Thank you! My husband's surgery is supposedly outpatient so I've been concerned about anything strenuous. After we get him settled I imagine he will stay put for a few days at least.

gkm | @gkm | Apr 20 12:58pm

In reply to @themurfs "Thank you! My husband's surgery is supposedly outpatient so I've been concerned about anything strenuous. After..." + (show)

My experience was similar to @dwb1. The only other comment I have is to make sure you keep yourself well hydrated. I didn't drink enough water when I got home and had to make a trip to emergency he next morning to get rehydrated.

perrychristopher | @perrychristopher | Apr 21 9:15am

I live in a 2 story. My RALP was August of 22. Spent one night in hospital. No issues with stairs when I got home. Bedrooms are all upstairs.

hammer101 | @hammer101 | Apr 21 9:27am

I had my surgery about 1.5 years ago at Mayo-Rochester (55 years old). Surgery went well and excellent results. However, I did have significant referred gas pain in my shoulders for a few days, when fully sitting up or standing/walking. This made it a bit inconvenient when it came time to climb the stairs at our rental that first day, but my wife and I were able to manage it. I would recommend taking your time when going up the stairs, and if possible, having a second person available to ensure all goes well. After 3-4 days, my referred gas pain was gone and walking up/down stairs was not a problem at all.

So glad you have chosen a center of excellence for the surgery! Slight inconvenience with additional travel, but has a life long impact on quality of life.

Best of luck and hope all goes well.

Jim

jasonfarmer | @jasonfarmer | Apr 21 11:04am

Murfs sounds like most men can do stairs and I am happy for them including my cousin who also did well with stairs. I was not as fortunate I struggled with just one step into my house. If you are like most sounds like he will do well with the steps. Hope everything goes well and a speedy recovery.

themurfs | @themurfs | Apr 21 11:33pm

In reply to @hbp "Stairs were not a problem for me. I have a 3 story house" + (show)

Was your surgery outpatient? Any other tips for a good recovery?

hbp | @hbp | Apr 22 10:47am

My surgery was robotic at UCLA, painless, one night in the hospital then home. The biggest problem at the hospital was when my young surgeon brought his young med school class in to examine my junk and my catheter! At home I spent one day in the bedroom, had my meals there because I was not used to the catheter but after that it was 7 days in my robe and watching TV with the family. I had an attitude issue with the catheter. Everything worked fine a little post surgery.