Prostatectomy at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Hi Grampy74 

Sorry you did not get a reply earlier and not really something I directly know anything about as my relationship with cancer is as a carer, though I do have a benign enlarged prostrate However I do know there is some general information on surgery available here that might be helpful and perhaps just bumping your message back to to the top of the list might get some more responses.

I also remember one of the arguments against publishing data for specific surgeons it that it might discourage some from doing anything other than "safe" surgery and mean that some people might not be able to find a surgeon at all.

<<hugs>>

Steve

Any consultant urologist worthy of the title will be more than happy to discuss their outcomes, and you may well find that an internet search will provide many of the answers you need to help put your mind at rest. I know mine was more than willing to discuss his experience, and to be quite honest I think he would have been surprised had I not asked him - whether to have surgery or not is a huge decision and I think you’ll find any decent surgeon will want to be happy that your decision is an informed one.

Thanks for your response, have read your profile which was interesting to read.

Seems your progressing well since your treatment so I hope that continues for you.

Did you have a robotic prostatectomy?

Thanks, Grampy

Thanks Grampy, and yes, my surgery was robotic. To be quite honest, with the exception of a need for the blue pill and dry orgasms, my life feels no different now to how it was pre-diagnosis. I feel extremely lucky.

I do still get nervous before my periodic PSA results but, over time, I am hoping that anxiety fades. In so many other areas of my life the whole experience has changed me for the better. I’m more tolerant, don’t get irritated when I hit a bad golf shot any more, and I noticed a few weeks ago that my irrational fear of flying is no longer there! I used to hate it, but on a recent flight to Portugal we hit a lot of turbulence and I just sat there and thought “I’ve had cancer - this is just a bumpy flight”!! 

In short, I have a whole new perspective on almost every area of my life. So not all doom and gloom for me, for which I’m grateful.

The best of luck in your journey - and feel free to ask any questions.

HH

Yes I completely understand, I'm not particularly looking forward to the surgery but then again I can't wait to have this "thing" taken away!

We're in our 70's and neither of us are sexually active now so ED is not a concern. 

Fingers crossed, I don't have to wait too long with nurses strike's etc! However I do fully support them in their action.

Have a great 2023 my friend.

Hi Grampy

i opted for robotic removal when diagnosed a couple of months back. The surgery went well and i only had one night in hospital.

i am now 7 weeks since the removal and still feel that this was the right option, i had a week or so of discomfort but doing as the consultant said and rest is definitely the way to go. 

Yes i am currently ED and have a very small amount of incontinence but not all of the time, in fact dry through the night.

Most surgeons / consultants you can check them up on line and see how many procedures they have done, also don't be afraid to ask them there success rate, they should be very open with you. 

Good luck 

Thanks Scubasi, interesting to hear your experience and glad you're doing well.

I have looked on the The British Association of Urological Surgeons Limited website and searched my surgeon but he's obviously not registered with them and can't find anything about him on a general Google search.

I'll be asking him about his experience and success rate's etc, but apparently I could end up having one of two other surgeon's on the exact day of my op and as yet don't have their names to check out either.

A bit of a worry as like a lot of other jobs you want done in life, you prefer to go with either a recommendation or at least be aware of someone's qualification and proven experience!

I read on a website recently that if the urology surgeon doesn't do in the order of 100 prostatectomy's in 12 months, then perhaps walk away and find someone else with more experience. Not that easy if you are reliant on the NHS!

Hopefully I can find out more detail when I have my consultation next week.

Hi Grampy, can I add a word of caution, please?  I see you are using the NHS. My knowledge is out of date but it always used to be that when you sign the consent form for any procedure there was a cuse saying that you understand that any surgeon can be doing your operation. Perhaps better check this out as it seems you are wanting to be very specific who gets their hands on you   I do think, though, you are wise to be doing the research!