PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT:THE ANATOMICAL RETROPUBIC APPROACH.YOUR HEALTH CONDITION AFTER SURGERY
Another hurdle is the crucial but often-dreaded first bowel movement after surgery. This is another item in the category of things men would rather not think about, but it has to happen sometime, and the sooner the better. Remember, the prostate sits on top of the rectum; when it’s removed, this part of the rectum is thin, fragile and particularly vulnerable to injury for the first three months after surgery. Therefore, it is critical that you don’t have an enema or have your temperature taken rectally any time soon. And, it’s absolutely essential that you have a bowel movement every day. For many men, this is easier said than done; pain medications, inactivity, slight dehydration (from not getting enough fluids before or after surgery)—all can add up to constipation. To help keep things moving, you’ll probably be given stool softeners or laxatives for several days. If you do become constipated, take mineral oil and milk of magnesia (but again, do not use an enema—you could perforate your rectum).
Other things you should do, or not do: Avoid lifting anything over ten pounds for six weeks from the day of surgery—and this includes grandchildren and the family pet! This is because, for the first six weeks, only sutures— stitches—are holding your incision together. After this time, the body’s own mending device, firm scar tissue, will protect the incision. Heavy lifting can cause a hernia to develop in the incision; also, lifting or other strenuous activity may hurt the anastomosis connecting your bladder and urethra—and this could lead to long-term problems with urinary control. Keep telling yourself that this isn’t forever—after six weeks, you can do anything you want.
And even during this healing time, you can eat and drink whatever you want, take long walks, and make as many trips as you’d like to up and down stairs. Also, you can drive a car five weeks after the surgery.
Expect to have some incontinence. This is normal, and it, too, is not permanent. It will go away soon—don’t be discouraged. Also, expect to have some trouble with erections.
Finally, you’ll be encouraged to sit in certain positions and to walk around almost immediately. This also is crucial—among other things, it can help reduce your risk of developing blood clots.
*112\201\8*
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.