Bladder size after prostectomy

Generally how long after removal of the catheter does it take for the bladder to return to previous size?

I pee when it feels like it is going o burst, but then I just get a VERY STRONG BUT SHORT burst every two hours or so. Streams last anywhere from 3 to 7 seconds. If I try to wait I leak.

It's been 2 1/2 months since the catheter was removed.

3 to 6 and you are back to normal, ....uhhhhhh

Been ten weeks, but then the stream is strong enough, I wonder if my bladder is bigger than I realize.

Guess I could pee in my wife's measuring cup. ;)

alephnull said...
Generally how long after removal of the catheter does it take for the bladder to return to previous size?

I pee when it feels like it is going o burst, but then I just get a VERY STRONG BUT SHORT burst every two hours or so. Streams last anywhere from 3 to 7 seconds. If I try to wait I leak.

It's been 2 1/2 months since the catheter was removed.

Hi,

Did they tell you that your bladder temporarily shrinks in size during a prostatectomy? I have to admit that this is the first I've heard of a bladder having to return to its original size.

Or were you just referring to bladder "habits" returning to normal?

In any case, I hope everything gets back to normal for you very soon.

Best wishes for a complete recovery,
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Firm erections now briefly happening in early mornings, 2 years post-op.

I was told that the size of the bladder doesn't change much after surgery, but it is pulled down somewhat where the prostate was located, and the penis is pulled up somewhat too since a section of the urethra that went through the prostate was removed with the prostate.

Never heard of the bladder being smaller after a RP. It's angle changes in the body, due to the fact that you have lost one mounting point, your former prostate, and its pulls on your urethra, which also leads to some of the leaking and flow issues.

For sure, bladder and urination habits change greatly after surgery, but for most men, it gets sorted out and back in order within a few months.

David

I have been told by my urologist and my PT that the bladder does need time to expand and return to normal size. Especially if you had your cath in for a long time like I did. Mine was in 30 days. I am still working to gain bladder control.

My Uro told me that the bladder takes awhile to return to its normal size and muscle tone. I can attest to that. I am 13 weeks post op (RALP) and I am still getting up at least once a night (it was 2 -3 times a night) and I was like a camel before surgery. My bigger issue (and this has been discussed on other threads) is that I believe the sutures where the urethra is anastamosed (reconnected) to the bladder are still dissolving . The process causes some local inflammation which translates into some discomfort and leaking. Interestingly, I find if I take some ibuprofen when this happens, not only am I more comfortable but the leaking stops.

From my colleagues here I anticipate this process will continue for another few weeks. Thankfully it is not an everyday occurance.