Post radical prostatectomy recovery

Rick, mines was removed on the 16th of September ..... I am doing much better, don't need my depends unless I drink alcohol before I got to bed...

Hi

I am over 12 months now as had mine removed 30th Oct 2015.  Nerves were spared and I would say three to four months for my bladder to settle down. I hardly used the pads or lets say I didn't wet them as I didn't go to far from home!.  I used a daily sheath catheter which was very good until I got my control back. I am however on a drug for over-sensitive bladder (Solifenacin Succinate) and do Kegal exercises once a day (PFEI app on android phone-free download) I found over than once and my bladder gets 'tired' and I cannot hold much.  I may be OK off the drug but ran out and tried for a week, it was back to square one in a way as couldn't hold much urine  Maybe time is the best cure as said

Hope this helps

hi rick,

i can relate. Let me put your mind at rest ... or give you my story. I was a good 8 weeks before things began to normalise after catheter removed. I wore pads to stop leaking. A discomfort but essential. do your kegel exercises. I think it helps control things. Your prostate was key in controlling your bladder and what is left has to learn to take over the control. When you pee hold it for a few seconds mid flush. this strengthens things. Incontinence will go. I'm 16 months on from my surgery. I'm 55 years old. Sex and erections still a problem however. Now use a pump to give me an erection. The pills (all of 'em) don't work. Nerves spared on one side I'm told. Dead down there otherwise. Would love to hear from anone if erections come back after the much acclaimed 18-24 months from anyone out there. Have an understanding partner otherwise mahor depression ensues. Never been ill or ever been in hospital until diagnosed with prostate cancer. UK NHS is amazing and i get good (free) service on all products that I've persevered with - In Scotland we don't pay for prescriptions. Feel for you Rick. Strange new world. I used to think that God (when I believed he existed) was male plumber now I'm not so sure.

take care friend

I had surgery a month before yours. I used Teena pads level 3 for some time (at least two pads a day) and then level 2 pads (again at least two pads a day).

For the last couple of weeks I use one pad a day and it's a  level 1. The pad is never soaked, but I leak when I don't expect it and would never leave home without wearing a pad.

it is known that some men can take up to twelve months to be rid of pads with most men getting rid of them by six months.

Don't worry about leaking. Just make sure you're wearing a pad for the next few months. It's quite normal for recovery to take many months.

I had a catheter for about 11 days after surgery. The extended period of wearing the catheter may  suggest other issues for you. In any case ,I did pre surgery Kagel exersizes etc. After 3 months ,I only wear a light shield pad ,some times my fault as I hurry to finish urinating. Approx 95% of normal.. I wish you speedy improvement with the bladder,,,

Further to my posting, I forgot to say that my progress should be seen in the light of someone who does no pelvic floor exercises. Pre op I saw a physiotherapist which I did not like. He made his job sound fancier than it is and considers it an industry, where he is a captain.

i never returned for more pelvic floor instructions.

perhaps with such instructions I would have healed quicker. Who knows?

i suggest you view such exercises with an open mind and make your own conclusion.

as for me, I am happy that I leak occasionally and that 8/10 times I get to the toilet in time :-)

Hello Rick i had prostatectomy on the 10/8/16.Its nearly 3 and a half months,since op i wear one pad a day.Mainly leaks happen when i lift or cough or sneeze.I can now go for long walks without leaks.I dont know how long i will keep using a pad.At first i would leak when out for a walk,but it as got better.I pee about every 2 hours.I can do so much more when the bladder is empty.But that is my story,everyone is different.Good luck.

Ok, So are any of you still working on this, or...are you back to normal now?

I am behind you all in timeline. Radical Robotic Prostateectomy, one nerve spared. Surgery on 02/28/17. PSA at 5 wks(.007)looks like Cancer was gotten. Shout out to the doc and team at SCCA (Seattle). Cathater was out on day 8, Now, 5/17/17 (10 wks) after Cathater out, night time pretty dry, I get up once a night usually. Daytime still struggling. Returned to work, so now standing and sitting about equal time for 4hrs, I am wearing the "disposable underwear"  as a choice over the pads, had pads get dislocated a little and so clothes got leaked on...Question, What has gotten you the best results for incontenance. Kegel exercises done in the morning seam to wear me out and make it worse.

I am getting enough on a "pad" that I feel I need to change at noon. I may only go through that next pad until bed time, but often I will change in the evening after work. I read about a guy that was doing standing Bicycling every day?

Looking for suggestions to improve this first. Then I will worry about sexual function. thank you all, for sharing your experience