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After prostratectomy: What underwear and protection do you recommend?
I am having prostatectomy surgery soon and am worried about incontinence and trying to find the right underwear. I also don't like wearing underwear and don't know what to do when I have a catheter in for 10 days. Do I or will I have to wear them? What are good boxer/briefs to buy to stop leaks?
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I had RP for prostate cancer in 2021. Within a year I was almost completely continent. But then I had radiation to my pelvis and I became incontinent again. I am now 73 and wear a couple of light pads a day.
From my understanding you are younger. Younger age is one of the main criteria determine continence after surgery. So, if you are less than 70 and completely continent now chances are (with good surgical technique) that you will become continent within a few months if not sooner.
@jeffmarc
Hey Jeff - So, "16" years ago, was likely pre-DaVinci Robotic Assisted RP surgery. You most likely had the 4-5 incision method. Sometimes I wonder if I would have been better off with that traditional multi-incision method, with 4-5 small 3/4" - 1" incisions. I think a lot of my post-op misery...that deep, deep pain, and feeling like I was assaulted and beaten up came from the 2 1/2", nearly 3" single incision about 2" below my navel. I also imagine that a lot of my intestines were moved out of the way with all of those tools and probes all going through that one large hole in my belly. I needed Percocet (Oxycodone) 10mg-325mg, and that only lasted half the time it should have, because I am fast metabolizer and clear drugs from my body fast. I can't take Vicodin...I go loopy on that. Glad your experience was less intense.
@rlpostrp
I wonder if you were an early patient to the newer robot in the initial surgeries of the single port. Today all the studies indicate that healing is quicker and you can be discharged the same day. My incision for my procedure was not below my belly button but above maybe an inch above and it appears no more than 1/2 inch to certainly less than an inch for the incision. I read there is always learning curves to the new equipment and unfortunately maybe you were part of the Surgeon’s learning curve. It is very unfortunate that you experienced what you did and still are having issues from the surgery.
@wheel1
That is very interesting...wow. I had my surgery in mid-April 2025, so about 14-15 months ago. I live in a major metropolitan area and my hospital is a 504 bed facility with highest level of equipment and technology. My physician has done a couple thousand DaVinci Robotic procedures. I see him in 10 days, so I'll ask him about your small incision "above" the navel as opposed to my 2 1/2' - 3" incision "below" the navel.
New patient here, 9 weeks post radical prostatectomy, using one Depends underwear per 24-hour period, supplementing a pad at night within them, as I am still leaking at night. Trying not to drink as much water as possible 1-2 hours before bed.
Also using pad in my bed, found them at the local grocery store, rarely spill onto them.
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I would be interested in his response. I did have the Retzius sparing technique so maybe the entry point is different.
I was disappointed that doctors didn't have any information to help manage this issue. Only a brief mention of protection in a pamphlet, but no practical guidance.
@rlpostrp
I did have a DaVinci robotic assisted surgery. Four or five small holes, which healed very quickly. I couldn’t find the scars easily, if I tried. That robot’s been around for a long time.
I didn’t need anything more than acetaminophen for pain, but as I mentioned before, I was out working a little, four days after surgery and full time 7 days after.
Sorry to hear your experience was so much more debilitating.