Prostate Cancer

  

Hi surfside. If you are going to have surgery, don't be afraid of the open surgery. I had the open on May 30th. Stayed in the hospital only two and a half days and had next to no pain. I know that robotic is very popular these days but don't have it because it is trendy. open is no a fillet job. They do the same thing on the inside, you just have a larger scar. You will hear from people here that it is the skill of the surgeon, not the procedure you have. That is the most important thing, fine an excellent surgeon.

Take care.

Mika-mvesr

Robotic was my preference and not because it is trendy. But rather, it is less invasive and has a much faster recovery time. My surgeon told me I only lost about three tablespoons of blood. In addition I was walking 2-5 miles with the catheter still in just a few days after surgery. What's more, robotic is fast becoming the gold standard for many types of surgery. Not just prostate cancer. I am a technology person as well. I believe that a surgeon that can magnify the organ he is working on up to a hundred times the actual size, can be more precise and has a better outcome. Some here have the open surgery and fair quite well. But from what I analyze the open recipients have longer recovery times. Mvser is absolutely correct when stating that the quality of the surgeon is important. When I was told by my urologist that he can perform the surgery using the open procedure and that he does alot of them, i felt he was going to do the work. Then I did my research. This urologist did not also carry the "oncologist" title, did two RRP's a month and was in business for about three years (he was an ivy leaguer but was in his thirties). I search high and low for west coast surgeons and went to the City of Hope where I found my man. Dr. W. was the Director of Urology Oncology there and headed the entire program. He averaged 2 LRP's a day and did prostatectomies for over 15 years. He said he stopped doing open RRP in 2001 when CoH obtained their first DaVinci system. He said having been an expert on both procedures that his patients had a much better post-op results. I asked him about the fact that some surgeons felt that they could feel the tissue and actually cut more cancer out with RRP versus LRP. He strongly disagreed. While there is some thruth to that, it is outweighed by the improved visual affect and seeing suspicious tissue. But don't worry too much, both procedures are effective.

Good Luck and all the best.

Tony

Hi surfside,

Unfortunately I have to welcome you to the group, but a finer bunch of friends you will never find. Your history is similar to mine. What type of surgery were you considering? I have read some posts from guys that had found excellent surgeons in florida (Hurricanes or not). My personal choice was a "Colonial" up here in Wash., DC. Because you live in Miami you won't have to travel far to locate an excellent Doctor and Facility. I wish you good luck in your quest, and we shall all be here if you need us.

Glen

 

 

Surfside:

Since you are in FL, unless you are completely set on surgery, you might check Shands at Jacksonville for the proton therapy they do there.  Your side effect would be very minimal if any.

Good luck on whatever treatment you find is best for YOU.

Dutch

Hi ~ Surfside,

 

It’s nice to see that with everything that’s coming at you ~ there’s a sense of humor!  Keep it with you because it will help you travel the new stepping-stones that are being placed in front of you.  We are here to help shore up any stones you may step on that are a little wobbly…  (hopefully not from himicanes or hericans!!  And my sister insists that I don’t have a sense of humor!!)   

 

The Helpful Hints page will direct you to a few threads…of many on this forum.  It will also help you to navigate through the forum…  A link is now provided in the locked thread: 

     Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints, and Topic Thread Links

       Located at the top of the page where threads are located

 

Thank you for reaching out and continue to do so  ~  okay!!! 

In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

 

Helping to keep Surfside’s journey together

 

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Prostate Cancer 1^st thread