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Any pre-surgery suggestions would be welcome

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Posted 8/20/2011 11:16 PM (GMT -5)
Three weeks to go until open prostatectomy. Any thoughts on how to best prepare would be greatly appreciated. I've been walking an hour a day and dropped some weight. Anything else I should focus on? Thanks.

Post Edited (FrackMe) : 8/21/2011 4:23:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/21/2011 12:04 AM (GMT -5)
Frack -- i'd say you are doing excellent!  keep up the good work.

ed

 

Posted 8/21/2011 4:00 AM (GMT -5)
They had me start my kegel exercises before surgery.
Posted 8/21/2011 6:34 AM (GMT -5)
Frack,

I stayed as active as possible like golfing (walking), working out on the elliptical on days not golfing and cutting red meat out of the diet. The day before surgery I ended a round of golf with a massage and steam room. I lost 10 pounds and believe that this put me in better shape to handle the surgery and recovery. I also practiced occassional Kegels when urinating to ensure I had the correct muscles and could do it. I'm three weeks removed from surgery and feel good with little to no surgery related issues. Continence is getting better, essentially dry at night and 2-3 pads during day (a squirt here and there). ED seems like it will be a minor issue as it looks like there is life there (both nerves spared). Good luck with your preparation, surgery and recovery. Stay positive and rely on family and friends.
Posted 8/21/2011 6:35 AM (GMT -5)
Getting yourself in shape is a great idea and doing the kegels. You'll want to get yourself things to keep occupied while you recover. I thought I would read a lot but found I was too restless to concentrate on books (I'm not very good at lying around doing nothing). I watched the Mad Men series which I had never seen before, that was great - one episode every night. I actually played my kids PS3 game quite a bit, I found it a good mindless way to pass the time.

My wife got me a small plastic basket with a handle in the middle so I could keep my supplies organized and and easily carry them around. That was helpful.

I needed to drop 10 pounds and I did that and more after surgery. I was very careful about what I ate while recovering (with my wifes help smilewinkgrin ) and at the end of the 3 months when I was allowed to be physically active again I was at my ideal weight. Unfortunately when I became active again my appetite shot up and I quickly put the weight back on. I should have been more careful because I'm now finding it difficult to get it back off.

Follow your doctor's advice and don't rush back into doing physical activity, the last thing you want after this is a hernia after all this. I play hockey a couple of times a week and I was very concerned about that so I took my time and eased back into it. It's very hard to get into the mindset of being a patient and allowing others to do things for you.

Good luck.

Posted 8/21/2011 7:04 AM (GMT -5)
Frack, I'm having my surgery Septenber 13. I'm lifting weights and doing some cardio as usual its helping me mentally.I plan to workout till the day before the surgery.Good luck with your surgery.
Posted 8/21/2011 7:19 AM (GMT -5)
All good advice above. Also, you might want to get a haircut and cut your toe nails. Get what you might need ahead of time, like pads, baby wipes, depends, a pad for your bed or favorite chair (I bought pet pads cheap), over the counter meds like ibuprofen and gasX. I was lucky that I had cough drops. You dont want to cough for a while after surgery. I also had neosporin w/ pain meds for the catheter. You also might want to consider a toilet seat riser. I was very glad I had mine the first week post op. Loose fitting boxer shorts for while the catheter is in and loose briefs to mount your pads after the cath is out. I also bought some cheap loose fitting shorts for when company comes over. Stock the fridge and pantry.

Like cyclist, enjoy yourself prior to surgery and be sure to drain that prostate before. You wouldnt want to sell a car with a full tank of gas.
Posted 8/21/2011 9:00 AM (GMT -5)
Maybe get a pair of large fitting gym pants with zippers in the calfs. this will be good for the trip home with a catheter. You won't need and depends now but you will want to have some on hand for the catheter removal visit in about 9 or 10 days post op. Well, good luck
Ron
Posted 8/21/2011 11:55 AM (GMT -5)
Here's a load of info in these links.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1070160

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1308096

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1258414&p=1&ord=d

These a little repetitious but still good stuff.
Posted 8/21/2011 4:26 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks to everyone for your advice. I'm going to make sure to purchase these things. I'm hoping to be able to keep my anxiety level down for the next three weeks, but now that surgery is fast approaching, i think that might be difficult.
Posted 8/21/2011 4:37 PM (GMT -5)
An unusual suggestion ~ take photographs and measurements before surgery. Often we think we are shorter after surgery, but are we really?

I agree that exercise and "exercise" is very good too :-)
Posted 8/21/2011 6:48 PM (GMT -5)
Frack,
Here's something not yet mentioned and that I wished I had known in advance: Because of their proximity during the operation, your testicles will get very large & tender for a few days after the operation - Like someone had kicked you HARD. My wife and I tried arranging towels, then foam, for me to sit on in a way that removed any pressure on them when sitting. Those attempts did not work, but she went shopping & found that the drugstore sells rubber rings for exactly that purpose! WHAT A RELIEF! tongue

I suppose this would not be a problem if others remain in the hospital for 4+ days. I had my RPP on Monday afternoon and was discharged Wednesday morning.

Best wishes
Posted 8/21/2011 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
I also had open and spent 2 nights in hospital, but no swelling at all ~ obviously the surgery affects us all differently.

I suggest don't buy a lot of stuff ahead of time that you may not need. Especially the pads ~ start with a one-day supply and not a month's. Think positively :-)
Posted 8/21/2011 9:20 PM (GMT -5)
I spent 4 days in the hosp. and didn't see the testicle swelling until days 5 &6 (at home). I already had the doughnut foam cushion after colo-rectal surgery. It was a life saver.

Also, if you buy "too much" stuff, remember you can donate it to any local shelter or family support agency. It won't go to waste.

Posted 8/22/2011 6:20 AM (GMT -5)
Frack,

All good advice so far, but make sure you return your prostate with an empty tank and flat tires. yeah My wife and I had some of the best sex the weeks before surgery almost like a 40 year old again and my prostate was empty with flat tires. wink

Seriously, just relax and do not worry everything will be fine and you will have this behind you before you know it. 2 months after surgery I can honestly say I feel better than the weeks before surgery and I can now pee better, quicker and faster than I can ever remember.

Terry the water guy

Posted 8/22/2011 1:28 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks guys. I'm trying to empty the tank as much as I can. LOL!

I appreciate everyone's help.
Posted 8/22/2011 2:04 PM (GMT -5)
I had a devil of a time getting my bowels to start working and this created a bunch of abdominal pain within days of the surgery. I tried just about everything natural to get things moving to no avail until I came across a tea that really works.

It is called 3 Ballerina Tea and comes in a dark green box. This stuff really works and was a god send to move things along and reduce the ab pain.
Posted 8/22/2011 5:45 PM (GMT -5)
my docs started me on 25 mg of Viagra every night.... about a month prior to my surgery....
i went to the gym... hired a trainer for the 3 wks prior to surgery.... that helped me to get in shape.... core work outs.... lots of ab work......
Posted 8/23/2011 6:19 AM (GMT -5)

aerie3 said...
my docs started me on 25 mg of Viagra every night.... about a month prior to my surgery....

Sounds like your URO wanted to make sure your prostate was returned with an empty tank, yeah

Posted 8/23/2011 1:56 PM (GMT -5)
Interesting the spread of Docs that start the ED meds before / after (have seen quite a number with different opinions mentioned here).

Mine did not even bring them up until after surgery, but as a non-nerve sparing case, I suspect he did not want to just add insult to injury.

When I take them, the intent is blood flow, so if anything else were to happen, I will rejoice. Otherwise, there were no false hopes built.

It makes more sense to try them before surgery, to get an idea of the side effects, if any, and to see what works. But to have used them before, and try them now, at least for me would have been devastating.

Posted 8/23/2011 2:26 PM (GMT -5)
Hi folks, 2 points I want to make here: First, I wish I had discovered this site in early 2005 (If it existed then?). I have found a LOT of very useful information & guidance from y'all - If any of the site originators or administrators are "listening", THANKS A LOT!!

Second, an alternative opinion to Piano's advice to not buy too much in advance. In many ways I believe my PC was harder on my wife than on me. Every trip she had to make to the store (pads, pills, rubber rings) simply added to her problems. (Of course, the good news is that no pads are needed when on a catheter!). Unless you are facing significant financial hardship, we are not talking a large amount of money. I wished I could have been more prepared (from this site) for her sake, if not for mine.
Posted 8/23/2011 3:47 PM (GMT -5)
Canada,

I'll offer yet another variation - I was at home alone, forbidden to drive for several weeks. If I needed something, I had to call friends or someone at the office and ask if they would take me to the store, and then come trundling out with someone else carrying my stuff (5 pound lift limit and walking with a cane). I did get one neighbor to take me along when they went to the store, but even that had its downside (what if you don't like / use the store they go to?)

I was well enough prepared (thanks to another site I found aimed at the wives of PCa patients, had not found HW at that point) that it only happened a couple of times, but it is extremely demoralizing for someone who has taken care of everything alone for many years.

Posted 8/23/2011 6:29 PM (GMT -5)
A Vacuum ED pump maybe helpful to get the blood really flowing even if  you don't need it now it could help post recovery.

My Urologist said he wished he would have prescribed one or have me get one from an Adult Store.

Posted 8/24/2011 1:39 AM (GMT -5)
After surgery (21st Dec 2010) I was given 28 self injectable Clexane shots. My GP advised me to avoid Aspirin and Ibuprofen while having the shots. I suggest you lay in a stock of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and try to add some Codeine to the mix (I'm not sure that Codeine is available in the US?).

I bought three months supply of male incontinence pads. After two months I was able to stop using them and for a further two months used the thin pads that women have for their periods. These were cheaper, less bulky and more comfortable. After four months I stopped using pads complete. The remaining pads I had left over I donated to the Urology dept of my local NHS hospital, and they were grateful to have them.
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