I'm 73 and scheduled for a prostatectomy next month. About a month after that, I'm supposed to go on a trip which will entail 8 hours of driving one way and a three-day stay at an airb&b. I don't know whether to make reservations or cancel. I suppose I'll be off the catheter by then, but just how bad is the typical (if there is such a thing) incontinence? Any help making this decision would be great!
Plan or cancel
- Thread starter Mark Wiz
- Start date
This is my 2 cents. I strongly suggest canceling. I had a prostatectomy, November 20, 2024. I'm 60 years of age. Likewise, I had planned to a number of events about a week after the catheter would be removed. Well, none of that happened.
Unless you are very fortunate, and some men are and I hope that is your case because otherwise you will be leaking urine for at least 3 to 6 months. I'm two months out from surgery, and I'm still leaking and dripping. It has gotten considerably better, but out of caution, I wear a Depends pull-ups to bed, although I only leak 0.4 of an ounce overnight, which gets lower every week.
Your body is going to need to time to recover. The more time, upfront, right after surgery, you give yourself, the faster your body will heal.
Now, I'm not comfortable walking around in public, even with Pull-ups or Guards because I feel the leakage happening as I walk. I have just started making short trips to the store, and I'm getting brave enough that I might try to go to the gym for a walk on the treadmill next week.
Some guys use a Penal clamp to stop the drips, but you really can't use that if you're leaking, at least I couldn't. In the early days of recovery, the fluid pressure from leaking is too painful if the clamp is used. Later, when you're down to a drip, it is manageable.
Remember, even though it is RARP surgery, it is still major surgery, and you will need time to heal.
I'm attaching a document, which I wish my medical team had given me. It gives you a guide to prostatectomy typically recovery progresses. I found it very helpful in adjusting my expectation.
I wish you well.
Unless you are very fortunate, and some men are and I hope that is your case because otherwise you will be leaking urine for at least 3 to 6 months. I'm two months out from surgery, and I'm still leaking and dripping. It has gotten considerably better, but out of caution, I wear a Depends pull-ups to bed, although I only leak 0.4 of an ounce overnight, which gets lower every week.
Your body is going to need to time to recover. The more time, upfront, right after surgery, you give yourself, the faster your body will heal.
Now, I'm not comfortable walking around in public, even with Pull-ups or Guards because I feel the leakage happening as I walk. I have just started making short trips to the store, and I'm getting brave enough that I might try to go to the gym for a walk on the treadmill next week.
Some guys use a Penal clamp to stop the drips, but you really can't use that if you're leaking, at least I couldn't. In the early days of recovery, the fluid pressure from leaking is too painful if the clamp is used. Later, when you're down to a drip, it is manageable.
Remember, even though it is RARP surgery, it is still major surgery, and you will need time to heal.
I'm attaching a document, which I wish my medical team had given me. It gives you a guide to prostatectomy typically recovery progresses. I found it very helpful in adjusting my expectation.
I wish you well.
ThatFLGuy
Member
I concur with Joe64 on this. Some men are not able to travel (Doc orders) for two+ months after a prostatectomy. And really if you never had incontinence issue before, you really are not ready for the needs you will have after.
We are here to chat with if you need help with products after. Look for my post in general: Where to start. I has a lot of links to products and place where you can get samples to try.
Now. If they are doing the prostatectomy for cancer, GET THAT THING OUT and change the date of your trip.
Don't mess with cancer.
I have a very small prostate and my CNR is going to talk to the doctor doing my Hydrodnimac study at the end of the month about it.
We are here to chat with if you need help with products after. Look for my post in general: Where to start. I has a lot of links to products and place where you can get samples to try.
Now. If they are doing the prostatectomy for cancer, GET THAT THING OUT and change the date of your trip.
Don't mess with cancer.
I have a very small prostate and my CNR is going to talk to the doctor doing my Hydrodnimac study at the end of the month about it.
I'm not familiar with the term Hydrodnimac study. What is a Hydrodnimac study?
ThatFLGuy
Member
Cystometry/Cystometrogram It checks bladder function with a smart catheter as well as how the muscles in you pelvic floor work when you release. So a smart catheter in the penis as well as the rectum to tell what the muscles are doing.
I do not like the idea of the smart catheter in my penis what-so-ever.
Wow! Very interesting. I'm with you. Smart or not, I don't like catheters.
ThatFLGuy
Member
My Urologist CNP really talked me into it. He felt that the test should have been down a long time ago. The way they are going to do it now will show how bad things are so.
ThatFLGuy
Member
The test was originally going to be 20-30 minutes, Now it is set for 2 hours. No clue what else they are going to check so.
All the best for a positive result.
ThatFLGuy
Member
Thanks. This test has me stressed out a bit more than any other test. There were talks already about different surgeries that have 15-25% chance of fixing some of my issues. This test will tell it it is a better option that just 15-25%. Plus this doctor from what I have been told might have a better insight on if this issue I have been dealing with can be helped without causing other issues.
I totally understand the test stressing you out. Is it the thought of the procedure, or the possible results from the procedure, that is most stressing you it out?
Anytime you, or your medical team, can gain greater insight as to what the best path forward might be, it is worthy of investigating. Thirty minutes of discomfort, to get a better understanding of what you should or could do next, may be worth it.
On the other hand, if it is the possible results of the test; be it good or bad, it is better to know, than not. I know this is easy to say, and often impossible to practice, as I have frequently failed at it, but worrying about the possible result is pointless because it is not going to change the results.
The upside of knowing is you will have a better understanding of whether the risk to reward balance makes it the right path for you. Knowing, doesn't mean you have to take action, it's just something to consider.
Anytime you, or your medical team, can gain greater insight as to what the best path forward might be, it is worthy of investigating. Thirty minutes of discomfort, to get a better understanding of what you should or could do next, may be worth it.
On the other hand, if it is the possible results of the test; be it good or bad, it is better to know, than not. I know this is easy to say, and often impossible to practice, as I have frequently failed at it, but worrying about the possible result is pointless because it is not going to change the results.
The upside of knowing is you will have a better understanding of whether the risk to reward balance makes it the right path for you. Knowing, doesn't mean you have to take action, it's just something to consider.
ThatFLGuy
Member
It's all of it. My last colonoscopy was back on the 11th of December and they had me do a two day clean out. Well the prep was only listed as good for the test and My doctor said that there was no mucus on the one side of my bowel. That is not good. She wants me seen after seen after this test with urology on the 31st but I got to wait tell I get all of the other follow up done.
The biggest thing is that she felt that I might need to up my meds but that make life suck (Cannot leave the house suck)
So after I see my physical therapist on the 20th I will know what is going on with muscles and can decided what to do next.
I do have an idea where this might be heading. The fact is that without more meds I feel sick. With more meds I am like a baby as far as my bowel accidents go.
There is not much of a happy place.
It is don't eat if I am going out until I am on my ride home (So go out, do what I want. Then eat and drive home)
Otherwise I risk a bowel accident while I am out.
If I take more meds (Meralax and stool softeners) then I am like a baby but feel better.
This test coming as well as PT is going to show where thing are.
That is what worries me.
I do not what to give up what little of a life I have right now to go back on more meds and not have a life.
And by life, I fast and them go play Magic the Gathering for a few hours. Come home and eat and sit up until my bowels kick back on.
So yea, not happy about anything test wise this month.
I will be good to see my PT again and see where thing are but the test on the 31st is going to suck.
And i still do not have any instructions or what else they are doing yet. (Going to call them on monday about that)
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