Some pain, some bleeding

Still early zev. Always a good idea to check with doc about anything that happens. Scabs come off, make you bleed a little. Clots get stuck, material, just don't push or strain. Don't lift anything. If you feel blockage, call him. I had a blockage and the doc pushed it out of the way with a Cath. I passed it and all was fine.

What Waffalobill said

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated. 

Sounds like you are on schedule.  Time heals all just take it easy and no lifting.  Prayers and good luck to you

Thanks a lot.  I've been heeding your advice regarding the lifting and taking it easy.  Sometimes I have to be reminded - it's easy to get carried away. 

I believe I wrote that I had to live with a catheter for a month and a half. Learned a lot about how to make that a more "liveable" experience. If anyone needs some advice on that let me know. 

My doc even told me, cause op was between holidays, dont lift, don't shovel snow, don't run vacuum, don't even do dishes. Any strain can make you bleed. Relax and heal.

Doing nothing was / is very boring to say the least.  I found myself doing some dusting, walking to the mail box, walking our 15# dogs and doing the dishes.  Lots of reading and way too much time on my laptop.  Maybe I was pushing it but that's what I did to stay busy during the early weeks of my recovery.  The best advice is to "follow doctors orders". 

It’s been just over 4 weeks since my TURP.  I’m peeing like I can’t remember.  Really strong flow – empty out really quickly and no dripping.  Sleeping 4-5 hours straight at night, depending on how much I drink beforehand. 

At 3 weeks I wrote to my Urologist about when I can start exercising and when I can resume sex, as I've been having erections.  To my surprise he wrote back that I can start both right away if I want.  It made me a bit anxious as I’ve been really concerned about retrograde ejaculation and also about having an orgasm at all, or at least one that would be pleasurable. Also worried about getting an erection that would “work”.  

It's four weeks now, and my wife and I have been having sex for the past week and it’s been good.  I still have a problem getting a complete erection (that stays erect during sex), so penetration has been partial at best.  But orgasm is at least as good as before the TURP and very enjoyable.  I haven’t had a “dry orgasm” as there is definitely semen coming out.  It’s less than when I was young, but it’s definitely there. (about the same as before TURP, when I was on Tamsulosin).  My wife has also been enjoying the sex even without the complete erection.  I’m very encouraged by all of this and hope that with time the erections will also be better.  One thing I want to mention is that I spoke to my Urologist several times prior to surgery about my concerns about R.E.  He told me that almost for sure that I would have it and that’s the price of having TURP.  However, I think that he must have made a special effort to be careful during the operation.   I can definitely feel the good results. 

Great news.

Congratulations, it does get better with time.  My wife and I are both happy with turp and the outcome.  3+ months for me, no regrets.

Great news zev31016. Sounds like you're really on the mend 

Very happy for you.  Lets hope it stays that way.  What kind of turp did you have  Ken

Thanks to everyone for your support.  It certainly helped me during the tough going up to the TURP and afterwards.  I don't think I've seen another blog that's been so open about the effects of the surgery and I am happy that I can add my story to all of yours.  

I have an appointment with my Urologist on the 21st.  I'll let you know how things go. 

Thanks kenneth.  I had a combination TURP and TUVP (Vaporization) surgery.  This is for prostates that are too large for standard TURP.  The vaporization is done at the beginning and removes much of the prostate directly through the urethra.  From what I understand it also cauterizes the blood vessels - which leads to less bleeding afterwards.  After the TUVP part is over the surgery is completed with the standard TURP.  I believe the whole thing took about 1 1/2 hours, which is similar to TURP alone. 

Yes that is part of the button turp vaporization.( they been doing them for 2 years to many men were complaning )  That is most likely why you still have a ejaculation they did not distroy  your ejacutory ducts which mean you had a caring doctor.  I think alot of men would have a turp if they did not get retro.  That is why they came up with button plasma turp.  Less bleeding and they don't distroy the whole prostate.  Very happy for you  Ken

zev31016 I read your post again but didn't any mention of howe big your prostate is. Can you tell the size prior to your surgery? Do you know the size now?

Prior to surgery there was a question as to size- anywhere from 55cc to 100 grams. (They switched back and forth between cc and grams). The last ultrasound before the surgery showed about 85 grams.

I don't know what it is now.  I guess I'll find out at my next checkup (21 February), in which I'm sure they'll do another ultrasound.  My urologist/surgeon told me that during the operation they found that it was bigger than they thought and they had to take out a lot of tissue during the vaporization part. 

Hi Zev, I thought  they had to do a ultra sound of your prostate to tell the 

the size of your prostate? Am i wrong? What type of surgery did you have done?I hope all went well for you. KIndly let me know whats going on?

Did you do a urodynamics test also?

Thanks. frank,

Just asking did you give your permission to have the turp or just the TUVP..I do not give my doctor total control in any surgery.  If I agree with the TUVP and sign for that  That is it.  Nothing else.  I all ready did that to a doctor when I was bleeding and in retenion.  Had to have emergecy surgery to see where the blood.   It toook him 30 minutes to sign that there would be no cutting or removeind of the prostate.  He was pist but he sign.  I told him if he didn't I would just ley here and bleed to death.  Take care.  I still think you got lucky  Ken

thanks for the reply zev. All my uros said I was ~50 cc based on DRE.. I spoke to a radiologis last week. Based on my CT scans he figured I was 120 cc. Big difference and has changed my options although still thinking FLA

I agreed to TURP and TUVP.  My urologist never told me that they even did the TUVP procedure, until I told him that I had a second opinion that recommended doing the two together.  He then told me that they do the same thing at his hospital and that's what they would do for me. Hearing that I immediately scheduled the surgery, as I preferred his hospital (where he is head of the urology department).  I must say - I had no choice about having surgery.  As I mentioned before, my kidneys had stopped functionning due to acute urinary retention.  I was put on a catheter for a month and a half, which was only taken out prior to the surgery (and then replaced by another one for three days). 

In the end, did you just have the TUVP procedure by itself? 

Zev

No I have not but I have been researching it.  I like to be ready for anything.  I would maybe have  TUVP because you have a better chance of not having retro and that is more important to me then peeing like a horse.  And that would be the only thing I would give him permission for.  Nothing else.  When I have any surgery you only can do what you told me nothing else.  I have all ready had a doctor sign a paper before I have emergency surgery  I was bleeding and had retenion they did not know why I was bleeding from.  It took him 30 minutes to sign the paper.  Had blood clogs around my prostate.  He must of been mad at me because he put in a 24fr 3 way catheter for a 24 hour flush.  Been in the hospital for many surgerys they all know me when I come in.  I have my folder with me with all the papers and doctors.  Was in the hospital 9 times last year.  So far been out almost 3 months no hospital  Tank God.  Well enough.  Every man has a right to have any procedure he feel that will help him.  Sometimes it does but there are other time that it goes wrong and you have no one to blame.  The doctor can only do so much/  Take care and I hope you stay in good shape Have fun and enjoy  Ken   

Ken - Thanks for the input. Good luck with whatever you decide on.  Let us know what happens. 

Zev

I forget to tell you I had a urolift done 2 years ago Had 4 implants.  If I have to have another 2 that will be fine.  Nothing against you but you had the treatment you felt that would help you.  I'm glad it did. It could have gone the other way   All I ask is that me research the pros and cons of anything that they pic  Take care  Ken

Hey Frank  How are you doing with CIC And how are you  Ken

Hi Ken, I'm doing ok with cic,it's getting better,the hard part is getting up 2 times in the night. I just had a urodynamics test,i won't know the results until my next appoint March 2.I do know that i could not pee during the test.I hope that doesn't mean i won't be able to pee normal again.

Thanks

frank,

Glad to hear it.  I look at you as my grandfather and I don't want them to force you into anything.  I think CIC is good for you and in time you may heal your bladder.  That is what Jim did.  I wish you will and take it easy  Ken 

You kinda know the results yourself. If you pee well, you pass. If you have problems starting, dribbling, don't pee much, etc you kinda know what he's gonna say.

When I first went to my urologist I had to do that test twice.  I knew I was going to have a problem  I don't pee on demand  The first time I was ready but when I got in there I could not go.  I forced out a couple of tea spoons.  The second time.  I made sure I did not go to the bathroom at all  Drank about 12 bottle of water.  When I got to the office  It was about 20 hours from the last time I peed.  I got in there and could not pee again but I forced it out and when it started it came out better.  But it's hell when you can't go when you need to.  Ken 

Hi Frank - I had several ultrasounds before the surgery  - also a biopsy to see if there was cancer (there wasn't).   All of these were supposed to give the size of the prostate.  Estimates went from 55cc to 75cc and from 85 to 100 grams.  I think Kenneth asked the size now  - after the surgery.  I don't know that yet.  Surgery was combination of TURP and TUVP.  I'm doing well now - coming along better than expected.  You'll see my commments in the blog.  I believe I did the urodynamic test - to check how much urine comes out and how fast.  Did very poorly everytime - also lots of retention.  I assume I'll have this test done again at my next visit to the urologist on 21 Feb.  I'm positive it will be much better as I'm peeing better than I can ever remember.  

Zev 

When I went they put in a Cath and fill you up til you have to go. Very unnatural far as I am concerned

Please explain what type of Cath it is.

They do that most of the time when they take out a catheter.  It to help you go.  Ken

Hi Zev,It sounds like your Turp was successful. I like the part where you say i'm peeing better than i can ever remember.This is what my uro recomends . I had the urodynamics and could not pee,did you have the same problem?

Thanks for this info,

frank,

Hi Ken,Sounds like you were in retention also?I'm glad your feeling better.

frank

Frank also remember that your urologist told you that even if they did a turp on you that you still will have to do CIC.  What would be the point  Ken

Yes doing better but still not peeing like I was.  Have been in the groin and still have to force it sometimes.  I see my doctor in a few weeks.  Drinking a lot of water and no sex like he told me  Take it easy  Ken

I could pee, but it was a very weak stream and I still had a lot of pee left in my bladder - which caused upward pressure on my kidneys.  This was before the TURP.  Urologists said that I had also lost feeling in my bladder due it being constantly full.  I didn't even realize it and it didn't bother me.  But I was walking around with about 1 liter of urine in me all the time.  After the TURP I'm peeing as I used to when I was young - strong stream and I hope little retention.   I'll know more after my next visit to urologist. One thing is clear - I no longer have to worry about where the nearest toilet is. 

Not sure what it's actually called. It was very small. They used it hooked to a IV bag. Took a few minutes to fill my bladder. It's all run threw a computer records how much they put in. How long it takes etc. You tell them the 4 stages of filling. When you feel it. The stages of feeling it fill the bladder. When you think you can pee. When you absolutely have to pee. They don't remove it. It's small enough to pee around it.

It was part of the test . Looked it up on YouTube before I had it done. Wasn't as bad as it looked. Lol. First time I had a Cath ever. That Foley 3 way was a different story. Omg. That thing was a garden hose. First time nurse just pulled it out. Was on my own to pee. Second time the nurse put fluid in to help me out. That was easier.

What I was thinking. Why operate if the outcome is negative. Doesn't make sense. Like paying to have your car worked on and it still won't run.

I had one like that it was a 24 fr 3 way catheter for a flush.  Yes why have a procedure if it not going to fix anything.  That is like Frank on here He is 87 and the doctor want to do a Turp.  The doctor still told him that he will have to do CIC.  So why have it done....Take care  Ken

So the Cath is used to fill up the bladder. Thanks. Hank

Yes. It's hooked to a machine kinda like a IV pump. All hooked to a computer. It fills very slowly. Cath is real small. Usually done by a nurse/tech. Just stand by it and they fill you up. You tell her when you are full. You pee in a thing measures flow rate and volume. Can watch it being done on YouTube. They have videos of it.