Robotic assisted partial nephrectomy

Hi Rennie, welcome to the group. I had a radical nephrectomy almost 4 moths ago and although you are having a partial, the advice I think is pretty much the same.

So here goes with my top tips……

The first bit of advice may be the hardest to follow, which is try not to worry. My op was not as bad as I thought it would be and others have found the same.

Dont worry about having a catheter in when you first wake up, I could hardly notice mine….and on that first night it prevented me from having to get up lots of times ( It was removed in the morning)

Next take clothes to come home in that are looser around your stomach area.

A cushion for the way home is really good to hold over your stomach to help with any speed bumps etc you may encounter.

If you take pain killers when you come home do take some type of stool softeners to avoid constipation 

Finally do keep posting on the site as you will receive lots of support from people who know some of what you may be feeling. We are people that care 

S️ending you a big hug,

Jules x

I would say two things. The op itself is not a big deal because you are asleep ! But be prepared for a long recovery until you are really back at full strength. And it can be uncomfortable in the first weeks. They pump gas into you which inflates the body and is very sore afterwards. Hope that helps. Plenty here have partials or radicals and generally we are all happy campers. 

Hi Rennie,

Thought I would jump on here and say Hi 

I will be taking Jules and Simon's advice too.

I also now have a date for the same surgery in mid September. Relieved to finally have a date but also slightly anxious to get it done and be home again.

Have you been advised as to how long you will be in hospital for? I am hoping to be able to go home the next day

Wishing you all the best and a smooth post op recovery xx

Hi, yes I expect to be in 2 days if all goes well . Additional helpful information I've received is to have some of the prune suckies in - those the children have to keep them regular - made me laugh but I recognise constipation due to pain meds is no joke so I'll get some in . 

I've been walking regularly and know how far I'm managing currently so can build back up to it gradually. 

Hearing the pain from trapped gas goes to shoulder area so any further hints about speeding this on and out of the body would be good. 

Let's compare notes Smiles as sounds like our ops are in cinq .

Thanks Jules back at you .

Hi Rennie as per the other advice yes the toilet issue is very common I don't think there is any quick fix regarding the shoulder pain maybe light exercise you may find it difficult to sleep on your side however your body is going to tell you to take things easy please listen to it, don't try to run I walk every day but was sweating after 500metres after a couple of small walks around the house.

Take whatever drugs you are offered and get used to wearing lovely socks and also having injections for your blood to stop DVT. 

I know that I panicked after a year of waiting being monitored to be given a date with 2 weeks notice but soon realised that I would be asleep when it was happening and it needed to come out end of story.

Everyone story is different but also so similar as we all have the same doubts and worries which we have no control over.

Stay positive 

Mike 

Thanks to all of you for sharing your wisdom . I will keep you all posted . Online pre op assessment completed and date for face to face now in place with operation two weeks later . Have cut out all alcohol now and increased exercise regime to try and get into best shape I can , making my heart work harder and hopefully it will be possible to build back up to these levels within 3 months of the operation so fingers crossed - at least doing these small things help me feel everything is not out of my control . 

Thats the spirit Rennie, glad you have your date too. any worries then please do post x

big hug Jules x

Yes I remember being constipated after 2 days in the hospital & on pain Meds. I was quite worried about going home constipated so the nurse gave me the oil injection / suppository up the rear before I was discharged which was fairly undignified but only took about 5 minutes to work!! Best to get it dealt with rather than having one more thing to worry about. I refused the pain meds after about a day as (1) I didn't feel much pain & (2) I was worried about the side effects. My advice is after the first day or so, if you don't need the pain meds then don't take them, you can always take them if needed. The worst thing about the initial recovery was the pain in the shoulders from the gas for the first week or so. Also having to sleep on my back until I could sleep on my side again. You will be a bit sore & uncomfortable for a bit but should improve reasonably quickly. Best wishes.

I did that as well, kept quite active before the op, with some good exercise, without overdoing it. Being fit does help with the recovery. I'd also recommend doing some planks and sit ups. Also a good basic stretching regime. Don't over do but having a strong core & stomach region will help you following the operation.