Author: Georgia Vasectomy Reversal Center

Podcast on the Partin Table and the Gleason 8-9 patient. Who are you?

Something I give to all my patients who are leaning for the surgical removal of the prostate is a part of a chapter from Patrick Walsh’s book on prostate cancer. It has to do with post-prostatectomy incontinence. The beauty of the piece is that Dr. Walsh thoroughly vets the unpredictable nature of this issue. I have said to patients, “I have done hundreds of these, I do them the exact same way with every precaution regarding continence, but I cannot tell you you will be dry or if you are when that will happen.” The excerpt of this particular chapter makes this point and I feel that giving the couple the article enhances and reinforces this concept. Walsh quotes Osler, “The well wear a crown seen only by the sick.” I love that saying. I get it. You have to be sick once to truly feel it. I have been…

Please add in the comment section something you did not know and now you do, maybe something you wished you’d known at the beginning of your “decision” process. 

For me in this category would be this….. the robotic removal of the prostate is usually done intraperitoneal and the open method is extraperitoneal. This means that the anastomosis is done differently and many times means that the robotic method takes longer for the continence to return. This is purely anecdotal, but the patients in whom I have removed the prostate open seem to return to continence much sooner. I personally did alright but was surpised and a bit worried that it took three months for me to become dry. I am very grateful to be dry, very but it was dicey there for a while.

Excerpt from ” The Decision”

Did you know?

• · You have a higher incidence of bladder…