Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Around the Campfire: Facing Prostate Surgery


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rk911

DuPage County

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Posted: 06/18/23 05:04am

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I have to make a choice...soon. Facts:

- Male, 72 yoa, 200-lbs, type 2, elevated BP (comtrolled) elevated cholesterol (controlled).
- Prostate is large, 360 grams, causing severe bleeding in my urine.
- Been wearing a catheter for past 2-weeks to control bleeding.

I'm going to have surgery but must make a choice. Due to size of prostate my choices are:

1-Robotic simple prostatectomy. Traditional surgery, 5-incisions in abdomen, removal of about 95% of prostate

2-HoLEP Procedure. Relatively new procedure, minimally invasive, HoLEP uses a light beam to peel tissue and hollow out the prostate.

Those are my only choices. a TURP or EuroLift are not appropriate.

I am NOT seeking **advice**, I am seeking the **experience** of anyone who has had either of these procedures. How old were you, what was your recovery like...pain, bleeding, incontinence problems (temporary, permament??), how much time in hospital post-surgery, how long before you were you again? I am not concerned with or asking about sexual activity. I'm wondering how long it took before you were comfortable doing everyday chores, going out to dinner, traveling...just living your life.

I have spoken with both surgeons but looking to hear real world experiences.

Thanks.

Rich
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Crowe

Merrimack, NH

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Posted: 06/18/23 06:26am

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No advice to give because I'm a female but just wanted to wish you well.

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be Douglas Adams

RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.

rk911

DuPage County

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Posted: 06/18/23 06:56am

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thanks!

MDKMDK

Free(er), for now, until the next "variant"

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Posted: 06/18/23 09:26am

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Sorry, no anecdotal experience. Yet.
I did a search on "prostate surgery stories" and came up with more than a few hits. Maybe some of them will help?
Here's the google search links...
https://www.google.com/search?q=prostate........BCjE0LjguMS45LTGYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz

Mike. Comments are anecdotal or personal opinions, and worth what you paid for them.
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rk911

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Posted: 06/18/23 12:49pm

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MDKMDK wrote:

thanks, Mike.

MDKMDK

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Posted: 06/18/23 02:39pm

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rk911 wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:

thanks, Mike.

free radical

Canada

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Posted: 06/20/23 07:30pm

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Fwiw
Some time back had enlarged prostate,probably from siting and driving too long.

Used prostate massager during showers,enters from the rear.
cleared it in about half a year.

rk911

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Posted: 06/20/23 08:15pm

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free radical wrote:

Fwiw
Some time back had enlarged prostate,probably from siting and driving too long.

Used prostate massager during showers,enters from the rear.
cleared it in about half a year.

Thanks but I am waaaaaay past that or the EuroLift or the TURP.

jamesu

Camano Island, WA

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Posted: 06/22/23 07:45am

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In spring, 2020 I was diagnosed with”high-risk” prostate cancer. High PSA (15, which was doubled to 30 because of my Finasteride med) and 7 & 9 Gleason Scores in two chambers. On September 1, 2020 I had DaVinci Robotic Prostatectomy. Was cancer free for a year, but the cancer returned. Summer, 2022 I went through 38 sessions of prostate-bed radiation at the local cancer center over a 9 week period, and I now get a PSA blood draw every three months. I am cancer free so far.

Recovery from the prostatectomy surgery was pretty straightforward for me. Recovery from the radiation treatments was not: the first 3-4 months after radiation I experienced extremely difficult and painful BM’s every single day…felt like passing ground-up glass. I’m okay now though.

Most guys have successful prostatectomy surgeries and don’t need radiation like I did. Everyone’s situation is different. My advice is to listen carefully to your Urologist, find a surgeon with a lot of those surgeries under his belt, and do your research and due-diligence. Buy a copy of “Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer” by Patrick C. Walsh, MD and read the sections pertaining to the stage of treatment you are in. It’s an awesome resource for us guys.

Pray.

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