EXPECTATIONS FOR SURGICAL MANAGEMENT USING ROBOTICS

The advantage of using a laparoscopic approach with robotic technology is a much quicker recovery than can be achieved with an open procedure. It is still a major surgical cancer operation and it is important for patients and families to have realistic expectations about recovery.

In general , patients can expect the operation to take about 2-2.5 hours. Almost everyone will spend just one night in the hospital and go home by noon the following day. Everyone will go home with a catheter for 6-8 days. The catheter is used to protect the suture line where the bladder is sewn to the urethra by keeping the bladder drained and empty. It will be removed in the office. It does not hurt to remove the catheter. Patients are instructed to bring male depends pads to the office on the day the catheter is removed. They can expect to leak urine until the sphincter recovers sufficient strength to hold the urine in the bladder. Most men will take 2-3 months to be out of the last pad. Most men will feel well enough and strong enough to return to work in 2 weeks, but they will do so wearing pads. It will take them up to 18-24 months to recover erectile function.

What to expect is reviewed many times in the office and IN a guide book that is provided to patients before surgery so they have a reference resource always available to them. Patients and families will also be introduced to and have access to our nurse navigator to assist with questions during the recovery.

NURSE NAVIGATOR

Memorial Health System Cancer Center supports a nurse navigation program to help cancer patients and their families navigate the complex, often confusing path to recovery and wellness. The nurse navigator is there as a resource once a diagnosis of cancer has been made. She is there to answer questions, relieve anxiety, accompany you to appointments and provide reassurance. Our nurse navigator is Penny Andrews RN. Penny has an extensive background in oncology and is the perfect person to assist patients through the process of getting well. She can be reached at 423 495 8975 . Her e-mail address is Penny_Andrews@memorial.org Dr. Jackson: Considering your young age and the stage of your disease, performing the surgery using robotics would reduce the burden of treatment and enable you to recover faster.

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