Any tips on surgery recovery?

Hi Olly60,

Good Morning Olly (Olly60) 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Prostate Cancer Community - although I am so sorry to find you here. I am Brian one of the Community Champions here at Macmillan. I am in my 4th year of my personal prostate cancer journey and still possess 95% of my prostate so can't give you personal advice on recovery after surgery, however I can give you these links:

* This is a link to a journey through surgery -  JohnyBoy 

* Our guide - Surgery - Prostate Cancer

* Here's a link to some "free kit" Surgery Support Pack

* A link to - Pads and What You Need To Know

I do hope the above helps - I wish you well with your surgery, please do keep us posted as to how the surgery goes.

Best wishes - Brian

Good Morning Olly60 

I just saw your post and didn’t want to ignore you. My husband hadn’t had surgery but wanted to welcome you to this wonderful group of people and someone will jump in with advice as many have had the surgery.  What I have noticed is you have to start Kegel exercises to aid your recovery. Please ask away any question as someone will answer you . 

Hugs & best wishes . 
Liz & OH xx

Thank you, I'll check out the links, much appreciated.

Thank you, I'm faithfully using the Squeezee app. I really appreciate the advice.

Hi Olly60,

I went through this 3 years ago and the only issue I had was that they gave me Hydrocodeine, which I did not realise at the time, gave me panic attacks. I wanted out of that bed. The op was ok, getting used to the catheter for a week or so was slightly uncomfortable but a minor issue overall. 

I would advise to do the Pelvic Floor Exercises regularly as they will help you get back to full control quicker. A very simple exercise while peeing, recommended by a nurse was" Pee Stop, Pee Stop, Pee Stop"

Took a couple of weeks to go without pads and only had slight leakage if turning/twisting the wrong way (only a few drops.

I wish you well.

John

Thanks John, that's reassuring, I'll be wary of the Hydrocodeine.

Hi Olly60,

I’m day 2 after surgery. I have to admit the potential pain and issues are far less than I was worried about. Even the self administered tummy jabs are easy. I’m slower than usual as every move needs to be considered with respect to tummy muscles healing and the catheter is really annoying and keep getting in the way, but I have been washing and walking and making tea and had a sit in the sun in the garden without issues. Just make sure you have all your goodies from hospital (meds and bags and spare stockings etc.) easily accessible (NOT on the floor!) and you have something interesting to read as (at least the first full day at home), you will feel tired but not sleepy and need time resting without getting bored. 

All the best for you. Hope it all goes like clockwork. 

Wow, thanks for such positive feedback, much appreciated. Im glad to hear that all is going well for you, that’s lifted my spirits.

(And, thanks, for taking time out of your busy schedule )

Hi Olly60

Hope all goes well with your op. I had it done about 18 months ago. I addition to the excellent advice already given, I would suggest practicing squeezing while getting up, sitting down, lifting things and walking. Also, caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder and I found giving them up during recovery to be helpful.

All the best

Cliff