Prostate removal and bladder control

You have to be patient with this as you regain normal continence first but stress incontinence ( wetting yourself when coughing or laughing, lifting something, even stretching for something ) can take up to a year and then after that they will consider replacement of your sphincter valve if the problem continues.

Kirk,

Statistics show it can take, on the average, 12-13 months to regain full bladder control after RRP - incontinence. Since you are only two weeks into the recovery period you will just have to be patient. Your urologist should have explained all of this to you in advance.

Tom

Hello, Kirk. I wish you a speedy recovery. As others have commented, it just takes time to regain control. I was 64 years old when I had my prostate removed via DaVinci. It took me about 14 months to be in complete control, including overcoming the so-called "stress" incontinence. The two-year anniversary of my operation is just a few weeks away. Over the past 6 to 8 months I feel like every thing has been consistently back to normal. About a month after surgery I started walking on a treadmill (2+ miles per day -- at least 30 minutes). This made huge difference in strengthening my kegel muscles . To be sure, there are times when I am feeling down about the Surgery's effects, but I persevere. God is my co-pilot.Also, This forum has been helpful, encouraging, and enlightening. There is no PSA detected in my lab tests.. I am a cancer survivor. You will be, too! Stay the course. Don't give up. Reach out if you need someone to listen. May God be with you. Gene.

As others have said: be patient. It took me 4 months to get back to a normal bladder.

I I had a prostatectomy in 2016. two w eeks prior to the procedure I started doing kegel exercises. if you don't have leakage when you sleep I believe that you can use your kegel tightening to overcome this. you have to remember the exact movements you were using when you experience the leakage example; when getting up suddenly from a sitting position. and train yourself to tighten up at that moment just before you get up from that sitting position. I've experienced the same problem as you have and still get the leakage if I don't concentrate and tighten up before I do those movements where it makes it easy to leak. but if I do concentrate and tighten up beforehand it works

Thanks for the reply. I am 7 weeks from surgery this week. I do have more bladder control now, but have to use the bathroom before going to the store, and watch my fluid intake. Seems like when I come home from work the leakage starts again. I am guessing the bladder becomes week as the day goes on. But from reading everyones input, patience is the key.

I am going to follow what Gene did and start walking on the treadmill right after Christmas. I am also going to stay away from lifting anything for a couple more months. Seems like every time i lift something more then 10lbs it sets me back with leakage.

Merry Christmas yo everyone

one more thing, how long did you see improvement before it leveled off to this is the best it will be, 6 months, a year, or longer?

I am Iranian. And I still don't speak English well

I read in a medical article on the site of the Urologist ( Dr. Ameli): If you have frequent urination during the day and wake up frequently for urination, you have major prostate symptoms. My husband had these problems before surgery, but unfortunately he had them again after surgery.

I think you could try having more fatty foods, fibre and perhaps less drinks. Hot drinks are less likely to make someone go to the toilet, and cold drinks more likely.

You say it is two weeks since surgery and you can't control the bladder.

Pls note that for many people it takes 6 months and for some 12 months to

regain control.

In my case, I regained control 4 months after robotic surgery.

so here i am 15 months after surgery. bladder control is normal. But still have stress leaks and bladder fatique drips. havent worn a pad in 10 months, but I will wear a small guard if I walk more than 2 miles. probably the best it will get. But very happy its manageable. I cannot get an erection to have any kind of penatration during sex, and no one told me the surgery makes you shorter in length. But glad to not have cancer