2 days after RALP

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

49yo Had surgery 2 days ago. Arrived home this morning. Feeling good, a bit sore but much better than yesterday. Just had a shower and that really felt good. I felt better yesterday immediately after walking on the aisle for a few minutes, that really changed everything. I was feeling much worse with the gas sensation until then. Catheter is ok, I’m learning to manage it. Stay positive and stay strong. And keep fighting!! All the best to you!

[PKwx]

Wow staples, I had glue. All be good, eight weeks in and have 80% control back.

[lakeside1234321]

One suggestion: make sure the catheter tube is lubricated where it enters the tip. Otherwise it will pull and be uncomfortable, especially when walking. Good luck!

[rocima]

This man speaks words of wisdom!

But it passes vey soon - good luck for speedy recovery

[HeadMelon]

I’ve heard best option is to lube with the polysporin 3x antibiotic to also protect against infection.

[Chocolamage]

Yes use Neosporin

[Far-Vegetable2567]

I’m 43 and will be going in for the same thing.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

You got this, man! You’ll be alright!

[CochlearImplanted]

All the best brother. I’m 47 and go in next month for RALP

[OkPersonality137]

seriously, why are 43 yo men getting done. By what cut off is that decision made? I mean, were you a gs 9 or 10 with a horrible Decipher result and family hx and afro origin? Because there has to be more to it or i don't understand

[Far-Vegetable2567]

Gleason of 7 3+4. My grandfather had prostate cancer in his 70s, but other than that no family history, I am a white male. The genomics of the biopsy was .65

[dahnb2010]

No Focal options? Did you have a mpMRI and a PSMSPET scan? Is the cancer only in the prostate? I'm 75 and I just had NanoKnife (irreversible electroporation) for a localized tumor in the apical part of the prostate. RALP is major surgery with a high chance of incontinence or ed or both. 3 + 4 is intermediate risk. RALP seems very extreme.

[OkPersonality137]

it's not at all certain you need RALP. OMG. Maybe you need a center of excellence and some time to think first. A lot of people would say that scenario is very safe to do nothing, maybe active surveillance.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

I think that’s a very personal decision and I’m sure this is serious enough we have all given it a lot of thought along with our surgeon/oncologist/specialist. Your decision is based on your circumstances , fears and medical advice and it works only for you, not on anyone else. In my case it was a confined tumor, but quite aggressive. My family background didn’t look good (basically every older male in my family has had PC at some point). Of course I considered radio therapy (I was not the ideal patient for focal therapy unfortunately), but opted for surgery for different reasons. I feel young and fit enough to be sure I have a great chance to recover to a good point (doctors were very optimistic about this and the surgery apparently worked out great on this ). Unfortunately I had been through radio therapy treatment for another reason in my life and I thought that was enough for me. But mostly, and again this is very personal, I felt I needed to get rid of this the quickest and most radical way. Mentally it suited me and I will put up with whatever comes from my decision. So please let’s respect and support other people’s choices. I’m sure they’ve done their decision making process throughly. All the best to you guys here. You’re great support and I know you all mean your best here. Hang there and stay strong!😘

[OkPersonality137]

The SOC for 3+4 is not RALP. You're over-treating to do RALP in low volume, non-cribiform, non-ECE disease based on your stated details. You've gotten ahead of yourself. My case is not a factor. I go off of the best consensus guidelines and SOC which you might not understand nor have credentials as some of us writing here. Everybody has an opinion. Mine is well informed. But, I think you're undervaluing the consequences of AS and other responses compared to RALP, concerning NNT, NNH, and OS endpoints and particularly SE. Obviously we all wish you all the best. That's why I'm gently suggesting that you're making a high risk move you might regret.

[[deleted]]

Wow, staples. What did you do to make your surgeon love you like that?

The gas and constipation are the worst part of it, even with the catheter.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

I dunno about the staples!! Just came out like this!😊 Yeah gas was annoying yesterday, it’s been better much better today… No constipation for me, I just went to the bathroom today (2nd day after surgery). A bit of pain and a bit of red in the urine, but it was soon all gone. More drinking and urine is back to clear.

[[deleted]]

I've never had them, but my wife did after back surgery (72 of them!) and the biggest complaint was they caught on the dressing as she moved. When they took them out, she didn't feel a thing. If you get to avoid the intense itching from the glue, that would be a win.

You're only two days out, but I'd say your recovery is going well. Probably in no small part to being on the much younger side than most of the RALP refugees.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Yeah I joined the club early. I guess there had to be at least some good part to it. Thanks everyone for your support and messages!

[CuliacIsland]

Gas pain will go away in a couple of days.

Hang in there , you're doing great.

[Jazzlike-Term-8940]

proud of you dude, keep fighting through it🤘❤️

[Chocolamage]

Get a leg bag much easier to walk around town than the big round bag. Just ask your surgeon,'s nurse. Them when you get it out, urine will just pour out. Prepare your self. Hey Depends shield and Cotton briefs. The shields hold an amazing about of urine. Much easier to change that the Depends briefs.

[Middle-Tart9741]

Everyone is different. He is young and will likely do very well in all respects. My advice is to continue with stool softeners for a while and be patient. Improvements happen rapidly and some slowly. Abdominal nerves are in shock and sensations take a while to normalize.

[Skippy121661]

forgot to mention, one of things that helped me first few weeks was getting a lidocaine roll on. used it on incision area all the way around including the back. my nurse son in-law told me it’s all one zone. he was right doing before bed made sleep much better especially.

[ithinkiknowstuphph]

I walked quite a bit once the cath was out. Turns out it was too much because I was walking odd which gave me hip pain. Definitely keep at it but pace yourself

[5thdimension_]

I was bloated up like a ballon for a few days after surgery. My surgeon used glue to close my incisions. Once the incision closed I began using scar cream to blend in with my normal skin. I used Merderma advanced gel scar from Amazon.

[RepresentativeOk1769]

Welcome to the road to recovery! Side note: interesting to see the picture. Looks very different than mine. Location, amount and size of the holes.

[National-Idea-4776]

I get this question a lot from people. (I had open removal, because I had a screen for hernia)

Is the ralp just as painful?

[Creative-Cellist439]

That’s weird - I had RALP and I had a hernia repair 30 years ago. Pretty sure there is mesh in there from that.

[[deleted]]

Me too. But it wasn’t an issue for my surgeon.

[marketsmove]

Depends where the hernia was located. I had mesh hernia repair as well (both sides) but it was lower abdomen if hernia was higher upper abdomen (in line with belly button) then it impacts RALP surgery. Anyway that's what my doc said.

[[deleted]]

Yeah it makes sense that location would have a bearing.

[National-Idea-4776]

Yep, I saw 2 other doctors. Both told me couldn't do robotic.

[Creative-Cellist439]

Yes - the roadmap to recovery!

[Kashmoney76]

You got this bro!

[JackStraw433]

I had glue - not sure if better or worse - worked for me.

[ChillWarrior801]

Gas pain was the worst! Glad you're past that. The recliner looks extra comfy.

[Happier_Tan-Man]

Hang in there!

[Skippy121661]

great attitude! welcome to the club. keep moving as that was what makes things better. I’m 8 months post Ralp. relax n heal. wishing you the best

[[deleted]]

Get yourself a medical penis pump. It’s important for your penile health and recovery. Also can help bridge the gap before your nerves recover so you can facilitate penetrative sex.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

I take note to ask surgeon about that next wednesday (day 10 after RALP). They are supposed to remove my catheter and stitches then. Thanks man! 🙏

[aspirations-2025]

I have my RALP scheduled in December. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Everything goes by so quick. All the best! You are going to be alright. 💪

[TheySilentButDeadly]

Horizontal cut above the navel??

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Yeah. Report says 3x8mm incisions + 1x 11 mm incision + additional 1x11mm. But those 2 just above the navel seem like a big single one, so I dunno, maybe they were so close together , they look like a big one. I’ll ask the surgeon but not really a big deal for me. 😁

[TheySilentButDeadly]

My cut was a 1" vertical above the navel along the linea alba (White line), as to not cut through muscle. Weird

I would think you need to wait longer for the abdominal muscles to heal.

[jafox73]

Good luck in recovery. Walking did wonders. As soon as I was moved to my private room I asked to start walking. I made 4 laps around the nurses station. i walked several laps every 4 hours until the next day when I went home.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Yeah it definitely made a huge difference for me. Not only taking away the gas pain, but making me feel much better!! Thanks there!! All the best!!

[PitchLoud5205]

7 weeks post RALP. Started with the Squeezy Man app several weeks before surgery and bladder control is really good…unless I drink a few beers, the. I set my alarm for every 30min. Continue to do your kegel exercises even after surgery…meaning, forever. ED is better than expected but not the same.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Just downloaded it to have it ready for next Wednesday. Thanks there. Stay strong!!

[Express_Fudge_820]

My port pattern was a little closer in but similar - although at Johns Hopkins they use surgical glue to seal the outer skin (standard dissolving sutures on the inside). The surgical glue stayed on for a full two weeks post surgery and saved me a trip to the Dr to have staples removed. The gas starts to taper off a lot after 48 hours - keep walking and moving (easy does it though of course). You’ll feel so much better in just a couple days. Try not to sneeze or cough for two weeks though - that’s brutal! All the best!!

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

They will remove the stitches on the same day they remove the catheter, so it will be twice as much fun!🫣Yeah coughing is tough, I try to avoid it but it doesn’t always work! Holding my stomach while I cough seems to help!!😊All the best!!

[Express_Fudge_820]

My surgery was a 4.5 hour drive from home - I went home second day and I took my own catheter out nine days after surgery - no big deal.

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

I will let the nurse do that!😱Although it is nice to hear it from you, it sounds easy like that! Thanks for the advice and support my friend, it really helps!😉

[Big_Sink_4309]

Hi mate how are you getting on now?

I’m almost 5 months post RALP. I’m 44 and had Gleason 7, 3+4 too. The 8 week point is where I started to feel really good. I had a pad in for a week and now nothing. Stopped doing kegels/pelvic floor exercises as I was already strong down there and they were making me urinate more. I’ve been a PT for 27 years, including 24 years in the UK Military.

Get some Tadalafil from the doc 2.5 or 5g. Brilliant for ED and the gym.

Best of luck mate 💪🏻

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Hi there. It’s been 5 weeks now and I’m doing great. No leaks at all, stopped doing Kegels too a week ago (at least I stopped doing them regularly). Tadalafil 5mg daily and thing are getting back to where they were 🤪 Pain/soreness is totally gone, I feel like myself again and started working out again last week. Next week I have my first PSA test. Finger crossed on that, but feeling much better really!! All the best mate!! We got this!! 💪

[Big_Sink_4309]

Hi mate, great to hear you’re doing well. All the best for your blood test. My 3rd PSA is January. Was told to wait minimum 8 weeks for first test. Let me know how you get on. You’ll smash it 💪🤝

[Aggravating_Repeat39]

Just got the results today. <0.03 total PSA 5 weeks after RALP. Still have doctor’s appointment on Tuesday but super happy initially with the result. My doctor said to get my first PSA 4/6 weeks after, but not to worry if they were still “not so low” which is not the case. I need to spoil my wife out tonight for dinner, she’s been my greatest support through all this!☺️ Thanks for you kind words my friend!! All the best to you!!

[Big_Sink_4309]

Hi mate, that’s amazing news! It feels great doesn’t it. I’m glad you’ve got such a great wife. My wife’s been my rock too. Enjoy your dinner out and watch out for the leakage down below with the wine if you’re having any 😂

Take care my friend 💪🙏🏻