Radical Prostatectomy Explained

Radical prostatectomy is a surgery to remove the whole prostate gland and the nearby lymph nodes.

This surgery is performed under under general anesthesia.

After the surgeon removes the prostate gland, he or she will insert a catheter (a narrow rubber tube) through the penis into the bladder to carry urine out of the body until about 2-3 weeks after your surgery.

Are There Health Risks Involved in Radical Prostatectomy?

• The short-term risks of this surgery are low IF you are in good health. That said any surgery that involves anesthesia carries risks.
• You will most likely have to remain in the hospital for 2 to 3 days after your surgery and your catheter will be left in place for 2 to 3 weeks.
• You should be ak to go back to work after about 4 weeks.
• The majority of men don't experience severe pain with this surgery and most regain bladder control a few weeks to several months after their Radical Prostatectomy surgery.The main advantage of Radical Prostatectomy surgery is that it often offers men the most certain treatment. That is, if all of your prostate cancer is removed during your surgery, you are probably cured.

Also, the surgery provides your doctor with accurate information about how advanced your cancer is, since the nearby lymph nodes are taken out along with the tumor.

Radical Prostatectomy Surgery Does Have Risks and Complications.

• You could lose a lot of blood during this surgery.

You might want to talk to your doctor about saving 2 units of your own blood in case you need a transfusion.

The two main risks of this surgery (and the ones most men worry about) are:

1. You may develop incontinence (lack of bladder control)

2. You may become impotent (lose your ability to get or keep an erection long enough to have sex).

Luckily, only a very low percentage of men have severe incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

About 35% of men will experience a little accidental leakage of urine during:

• Heavy Lifting
• Coughing
• And Laughing.

And Impotence...

Well, the chance of impotence decreases if your surgeon is able to avoid cutting the nerves. This may not be possible if your tumor is large.

Your current age and the degree of your sexual function BEFORE you have your Radical Prostatectomy surgery are also important things to consider.

For instance, men under 50 years old when they have Radical Prostatectomy surgery, are likely to regain their sexual function. Those older than 70 years are more likely to lose their sexual function.

IMPORTANT: Bear in mind that, even if the nerves are cut, feeling in your penis and orgasm remain normal.

Only your ability to get a rigid penis for sexual intercourse is lost.

But even there, it is not all gloom and doom. There are numerous medicines and devices that can help make the penis rigid.

One thing you should definitely do is to find out everything you can about getting and maintaining a healthy prostate naturally - without drugs.

You can read more information about Radical Prostatectomy along with DOZENS of other prostate health tips at my website: http://www.ProstateSecretsReport.com where you can also see my own shocking prostate story on video

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