Extended Post Operative Pain

I was sent to the VA hospital in Pittsburgh from Louisville to have my Prostate removed via the Robotic procedure, in Aug. 2006.  When I awoke had a very intense pain radiating from the area where the Prostate was removed.  I would describe it as a intense Dull Ache and it hurts 24 hours a day.  I have seen little or no improvement in 3 months  I'm in a bad spot because the doctors here in Louisville were obviously not present during the operation and are not familiar with the procedure.  The doctors in Pittsburgh say they have no idea.  If anyone has experienced this I would greatly appreciate any information.  Also, my operation took over 9 hours.  Everything I read indicated that it was a 5 or 6 hour procedure.  If I could here from a few patients on how long their operation lasted.  Thank You. 

Hey Rock:

Hang in there.  We all had some pain down there after surgery.  It's just taking your pain a little longer to subside.

Time for surgery varies due to procedure and surgeon.  The rob/lap generally takes longer than the open surgery.  For example, my open surgery took one hour, which was the average time for the surgeon I selected.  Another guy who had the robotic the day after me at the same facility was in the OR for a good bit longer.

 

Rock - Our robotic took nearly two hours. Had residual pain for several weeks in the scrotum and up. Also had a preexisting hernia that contributed to the pain. I know one of the regulars here (Spinbiscuit) also dealt with double hernias and pain. That's one possibility to check out - as sometimes hernias are caused by trauma during surgery (a common thing, not incompetence), and they can also cause that dull ache.

When husb. was dealing with the early pain, our surgeon prescribed a heavy-duty antibiotic along with two different pain/sleeping meds - those really seemed to help.

Good luck.

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Husband age 65

Thanks to all of you.  I'm just wondering if they could have damaged a nerve?  Please remember I have no doctor, both Pittsburgh and Louisville VA Urologist refuse to treat me.  Thanks Again.

Rock

VA was authorizing a private Urologist because no one in the system would treat me. They only allowed a few visits. I cannot afford a private urologist, no private insurance. When I swore into the Army during Vietnam they told me I would never have to worry about medical care the rest of my life. Like an idiot I took them at their word. I've just developed a Hernia at one of the probe sites. Gi doc says it must be repaired immediately because the opening is so small if the intestines get through it I may not be able to push them back. Really the other things you initially worry about are fine. It's just the pain from the site is 24/7. I'm just worried they damaged a nerve and I am going to have to live with this.
Thanks for all your concerns
Rock