Post by Rick Redner on Aug 12, 2013 10:44:25 GMT -5
This forum was not designed to advocate or bash surgery. It was created to give men/couples the information they need to make an intelligent decision whether or not surgery is the right treatment option.
Here's a link to a post-surgery thread which has comments from men who seriously regretted their decision:
Buyer's Remorse-Expressions of Regret
If you read the comments you'll see that those men felt they made the wrong treatment decision. While this article was written in 2008 it's still useful to read:
Higher Level of Regret for Those Choosing Robotic Surgery
I think the reasons for this are still present. The majority of websites promoting surgery do not give men an accurate picture of what life is like without a prostate. In addition the expectations of those choosing robotic surgery are higher in terms of what's expected with regard to the speed of urinary control and erectile functioning.
Few men are told they might not experience an erection without the use of medication or injections for 2 years or longer. In more than two years I haven't met a man who was told prior to surgery that their level of hardness may not be the same after surgery.
Few men are prepared for the reality that orgasm without ejaculation is different. In fact many men (myself included) had no idea surgery takes away the ability to ejaculate.
So what's the chance you will regret surgery? Here's a few links to research on this topic
19% Regretted Their Decision
Robotic Surgery has Similair Results to Open Surgery
It's my personal belief the level of satisfaction depends upon the following criteria:
1. How realistic your expectations prior to surgery.
2. The skill of your surgeon-which great affects the outcome of whether you regain urinary control and erectile functioning.
3. Where you land with regaining urinary control
4. Where you land with regard to recovering erectile functioning.
Obviously those with better results are often more satisfied with their outcome and have fewer regrets. That said, I've known couples who managed to grow closer and have a wonderful sex life when there is limited urinary control, and zero ability to have erections.
The decision whether or not to have surgery should not be made based on your fear of cancer, or misleading advertising. My advice is to take your time. Get information. Talk to men who've had surgery, but not the ones cherry picked for advertising.
Visit on line forums. Ask questions, make a list of the pro's and con's, develop realistic expectations, think about other options, pray for wisdom, and make the best decision you can with regard to how to treat your prostate cancer.
I suggest reading a few books:
The Decison
Survivng Prostate Cancer
and last but not least, my book:
I Left My Prostate in San Francisco-Where's Yours?
Make your decision carefully and prayerfully, so you won't be of those men/couples who regret their decision.
Here's a link to a post-surgery thread which has comments from men who seriously regretted their decision:
Buyer's Remorse-Expressions of Regret
If you read the comments you'll see that those men felt they made the wrong treatment decision. While this article was written in 2008 it's still useful to read:
Higher Level of Regret for Those Choosing Robotic Surgery
I think the reasons for this are still present. The majority of websites promoting surgery do not give men an accurate picture of what life is like without a prostate. In addition the expectations of those choosing robotic surgery are higher in terms of what's expected with regard to the speed of urinary control and erectile functioning.
Few men are told they might not experience an erection without the use of medication or injections for 2 years or longer. In more than two years I haven't met a man who was told prior to surgery that their level of hardness may not be the same after surgery.
Few men are prepared for the reality that orgasm without ejaculation is different. In fact many men (myself included) had no idea surgery takes away the ability to ejaculate.
So what's the chance you will regret surgery? Here's a few links to research on this topic
19% Regretted Their Decision
Robotic Surgery has Similair Results to Open Surgery
It's my personal belief the level of satisfaction depends upon the following criteria:
1. How realistic your expectations prior to surgery.
2. The skill of your surgeon-which great affects the outcome of whether you regain urinary control and erectile functioning.
3. Where you land with regaining urinary control
4. Where you land with regard to recovering erectile functioning.
Obviously those with better results are often more satisfied with their outcome and have fewer regrets. That said, I've known couples who managed to grow closer and have a wonderful sex life when there is limited urinary control, and zero ability to have erections.
The decision whether or not to have surgery should not be made based on your fear of cancer, or misleading advertising. My advice is to take your time. Get information. Talk to men who've had surgery, but not the ones cherry picked for advertising.
Visit on line forums. Ask questions, make a list of the pro's and con's, develop realistic expectations, think about other options, pray for wisdom, and make the best decision you can with regard to how to treat your prostate cancer.
I suggest reading a few books:
The Decison
Survivng Prostate Cancer
and last but not least, my book:
I Left My Prostate in San Francisco-Where's Yours?
Make your decision carefully and prayerfully, so you won't be of those men/couples who regret their decision.