When Do I Need To Start Planning My Trip
This depends on you and your trip, but as a rough guide, it’s good to start planning at least eight weeks before you go. This should give you enough time to shop around for travel insurance, make arrangements for medication or equipment, get any vaccinations you need, and arrange for letters from your doctor or nurse.
Some of these may be new to your holiday planning, and others could take longer than you’re used to. Have a look at our travel timeline.
What Is The Difference Between Robotic And Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Both are minimally-invasive techniques of performing radical prostatectomy for cancer. In laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, the surgeon stands by the operating table and himself manipulates the instruments. In robotic prostatectomy the surgeon is seated at a robotic console near the patient from where he drive the robotic instruments to perform the operation. The robot faithfully and accurately reproduces the surgeon’s sophisticated maneuvers.
While Youre On Holiday
- Keep cool avoid extreme temperatures where possible.
- Ensure you use SPF30+ if youve been treated with radiotherapy this is especially important.
- Avoid strenuous activity use your time abroad to relax and spend time doing the things you enjoy.
Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 25,000 reviews as of May 2021.
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Can You Get Travel Insurance If You Have Prostate Cancer
AllClear is the specialist in medical travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. We are able to offer cover for a wide range of medical conditions including prostate cancer. When you go through our quote process youll be asked various questions about your prostate cancer to ensure your quote and cover are accurate.
If your prostate cancer is terminal, we may still be able to offer you cover. Terminal conditions are looked at on a case by case basis. If you would like a quote for terminal prostate cancer, please call 01708 339029.
Surgery And Clotting Complications
A very long flight prior to surgery can increase the probability of complications for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements when preventive measures are neglected.
In orthopedic surgery, the cutting of bones prompts the body to respond by revving up its clotting system, a response that mirrors its reaction to a bodily injury. Due to the size of the bones involved in hip and knee replacements, there is a higher risk of blood clotting than other orthopedic surgeries. Dr. Bass also adds that in patients with hip fracture, the risk is further increased because of the immobilization of patients prior to surgery.
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Recent Findings About Regaining Potency After Radical Prostatectomy
It is important to remember that regaining erectile function takes time after radical robotic prostatectomy. Most studies in the literature use endpoints of 18-36 months after prostate cancer surgery. Nerve tissue can be easily damaged during robotic prostatectomy, regardless of the skill of the surgeon, and takes a long time to regenerate. It is believed that early postoperative medical therapy can aid an earlier return to potency.
Dr. Ahlering, a physician with UC Irvine Medical in Orange County, CA. has pioneered the use of electrocautery-free preservation of the neurovascular bundles which are essential for the return of potency after prostate surgery. A recent study by Dr. Patrick Walsh and associates at John Hopkins has shown that mono and bipolar cautery near the potency nerves severely impact the erectile function of dogs. Mono and bipolar cautery are routinely used by many institutions to limit the bleeding during surgery by heat-sealing or ‘cauterizing’ the bleeding vessels.
The nerves for potency are intertwined with a bundle of blood vessels, which must be controlled during prostate cancer surgery to prevent large blood losses. Thus to preserve the nerves of potency, a surgeon also must prevent the bleeding of these vessels also. Cautery is considered a standard method of sealing the blood vessels, allowing the nerve bundles to now be properly visualized.
For comparison we show the standard data on open prostatectomy potency :
Day Before Your Surgery
Follow a light diet
Follow a light diet, such as a small sandwich, eggs, toast, crackers, or soup. Limit the amount of dairy products you eat and drink, and avoid fried foods and foods with a lot of seasoning.
Note the time of your surgery
A staff member from the Admitting Office will call you after 2:00 pm the day before your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, theyll call you on the Friday before. If you dont get a call by 7:00 pm, call .
The staff member will tell you what time to arrive at the hospital for your surgery. Theyll also remind you where to go.
Do your bowel preparation
The night before your surgery, use a saline enema as instructed on the box.
Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser
The night before your surgery, shower using a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser.
Sleep
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I Have Urinary Problems How Might This Affect My Trip
The call of nature shouldn’t stop you visiting the places you want to, but when you’re planning days out, bear in mind that some places have more toilets than others, and you won’t know where they are. You may have to plan your trip carefully to make sure you have easy access to a toilet. You might find tips from travellers forum websites like Trip Advisor, or maps of public toilets from the local tourist information site. The Bladder and Bowel Foundation has more about travelling with confidence.
If you have urinary problems, you might be taking equipment with you . If you’re flying, make sure you know how you’ll get it onto the plane and think about having a doctor’s letter to explain things. If you pass the letter to a security officer before you and the bags are scanned they’ll know what to expect.
Remember that it won’t be easy to get hold of spares while you’re away, so carry any spare parts , and anything you need to keep things clean and working. It’ll probably be easier to pack a bigger bag at home than to try and buy specialised medical equipment while you’re away.
Translated information might be useful if people don’t read English and something does go wrong. The company that makes your equipment might already have information in other languages available.
When Can I Return To Sexual Activity
Let the surgery heal for three to four weeks before attempting anything. After one month after the robotic prostatectomy, it is recommended that you resume sexual activity. Stimulation of the nerves is thought to be a first step on the journey back to potency. Remember that you can still experience the pleasures of orgasm and other sensual stimulations without full erections. The average time to recovery for erections adequate for intercourse is 6-12 months, but in some men it is even longer. You should also be performing kegel exercises regularly to help your return to potency.
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Adverse Reactions To The Anesthesia
If a person has a history of swelling of the face or generalized itching, it is important to inform the anesthetist before the procedure because, although allergic reactions to anesthesia can be mild, involving only wheezing or some skin irritation, it is also possible to experience an anaphylactic response which can be life-threatening.
Somebody suffering from an allergic reaction to an anesthetic may display signs like breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, rashes, hives and swollen skin around the eyes or mouth and throat. It is possible to perform tests prior to the surgery to identify which chemicals trigger an allergic reaction and if necessary an appropriate alternative anesthetic solution can then be chosen.
Other adverse reactions, such a muscle soreness, a sore throat from the breathing tube or nausea and vomiting after the surgery are a lot more common than allergic reactions. Around 10 percent of people will experience some kind of adverse reaction to anesthetic drugs, and anesthetists are trained to recognise and treat reactions as and when they occur during or after surgery.
How Will Sex After Prostate Cancer Be Different
One of the treatments of prostate cancer is to remove a portion of the prostate or the totality of the gland before cancer spreads beyond it You may have heard that the tumor is inside the capsule, but moving fast.
The procedure is known as radical prostatectomy and involves incisions, either above the perineum or on the lower abdomen.
Newer surgeries are sometimes robot-assisted, and we also have laparoscopic prostatectomies that do not require a large incision.
The end result is the removal of a portion or the totality of the prostate, and certain surgical approaches may be associated with a lower risk of nerve damage than others. Youll see this referred to as nerve-sparing prostatectomies throughout this guide.
As soon as a man is informed that he will need to go through a Radical Prostatectomy, the likelihood is that one of the very first questions will be about the effect that it will have on their sex life. In a lot of mens minds, the surgery is thought of like its castration.
However, now that there are multiple types of nerve-sparing prostate surgery, many men have found they can maintain sexual activity after surgery.
Likewise, there are plenty of sexual activities open to those who do find they still have the desire, even with some physical changes. We want to help you understand the changes that men can experience after prostate surgery, whether that is physical or mental.
For more information on prostate surgery, click here.
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Newly Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer Why Choose Robotic Prostatectomy
When first diagnosed with prostate cancer, its common for men to wonder what the future will hold. Certainly, a prostate cancer cure is a top priority, but then what?
Dr. David Samadi understands that men want to know:
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Will I have sex after prostate cancer?
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How will sex after prostate cancer be different?
For many men, prostate cancer treatment choice determines these answers.
If you select robotic prostate surgery your chances of enjoying sex after prostate surgery are very high. Robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive prostate removal. It is considered one of the best treatment options for prostate cancer due to its success rate and fast recovery rate.
The da Vinci robotic prostate cancer surgery system enables the surgeon to make precise movements. This ensures cancer-removal efficiency and sparing of the nerves and muscles that are responsible for the sexual function.
However, it is absolutely critical to choose a robotic surgeon with a high case volume and extensive prostate surgery experience. The robot does not perform the surgery and technology is no guarantee of success.
Dr. Samadi explains how the preservation of sexual function is possible:
If my only responsibility was to remove the cancerous prostate, my job would be much easier, he acknowledges, But patients deserve much more than that. It was paramount that I find a way to remove the prostate gland without damaging functions critical to a comfortable and enjoyable life after recovery.
What To Expect After Surgery
A prostatectomy is major surgery from which your body needs time to recover. Your doctor will discuss the details of your recovery with you.
Typically patients stay in the hospital overnight after surgery and then need to recuperate at home for a month before returning to work. Most men can start to drive a few weeks after surgery. You should avoid heavy lifting for several weeks after surgery. It usually takes about six weeks for most men to feel back to normal.
This page provides general information about what you can expect in the first hours and days right after surgery. You may also want to read more about:
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When Is It Safe For You To Fly After A Hip Replacement
The good news is, as early as a week after your hip replacement surgery, you could take a short flight.
However, a long haul flight isnt recommended by the NHS during the first 3 months after the procedure. Thats because long haul flights can:
- Increase discomfort in your hip and disrupt its healing
- Restrict blood flow due to lack of movement
- Cause you to become dehydrated in air cabins which lack humidity
Sex After Surgery To The Prostate Gland
When your prostate gland is removed, you will still make sperm, but it wonât come out through your penis. It will be absorbed back into the body. You may also have problems with erections or lose interest in sex after prostate surgery. Although you may feel embarrassed, doctors who deal with prostate cancer are very used to talking about these issues and will be able to give you advice. There are treatments that can help with this.
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How To Lower Your Risk For Blood Clots
Sitting still for long periods can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of developing blood clots.
Here are a few ways to improve your circulation while traveling:
- While seated, extend your legs straight out and flex your ankles so your toes point toward you. Hold for 15 seconds.
- If space allows, pull one knee up toward your chest and hold for 15 seconds. Alternate and repeat 10 times.
- Get up and walk for a few minutes every hour.
- Skip alcohol but drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Wear compression stockings to help keep blood from pooling in your legs.
Its also important to be aware of any signs of blood clots, such as redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain.
Can Prostate Surgery Affect Penis Size Or Sensitivity
Prostate surgery is very unlikely to affect penis size. The only likely case this would occur if an individual underwent surgery for ED after prostate surgery. Implants will often cause a slight shortening of the penis.
Sensitivity, however, is an issue. In order to allow men to urinate, they have to operate on the prostate.
Its right next to the bundle of nerves that relay the sensation to the brain, causing a lot of the physical pleasure that men experience during sex.
It used to be the case that a prostatectomy would almost always damage those nerves, causing a permanent decrease or even loss of sensation. It would often be 8 months to a year before men reported any sense of sexual desire after the surgery.
However, nerve-sparing surgeries, particularly robotic prostatectomies, can avoid that nerve group far more effectively.
Its never a guarantee, but a majority of men who have undergone a nerve-sparing procedure can expect to regain the majority of the sexual desire and sensation they had before the operation.
For less-involved surgeries, men can expect to regain their sexual function a lot sooner. TURPs, ReZum, Aquablation or various other novel surgeries are all less likely to damage nerves and have faster recovery periods.
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Choosing Da Vinci Surgery With Dr Eigner
My advice do your homework on the treatment take advantage of the information and consultations that are offered by Urology Associates, certainly not one size fits all. In my decision, the downside of radiation was the combined hormone therapy. I need the Testosterone for muscle recovery, and core strength / back health, based on a bad experience with induced testosterone deficiency while using Diclofenac for back issues. After a very honest and informative discussion with Dr. Eigner , we landed on the Da Vinci robot assisted laparoscopic surgery at Sky Ridge with Dr. Eigner and his team. Sky Ridge is a Center of Excellence for this type of surgery, which his what is recommended by the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Very happy with the surgery and the result. Nerves on the right side were spared, cancer had escaped the prostate capsule on the left side, so Dr. Eigner removed those nerves. No cancer in surrounding lymph nodes or other tissue outside the prostate based on pathology. I just had my post-surgery high resolution PSA test and it is down to 0.014 , which means that I dont need any more treatment at this time, but will need periodic testing to ensure the cancer is not spreading.
My recovery has gone very well, and at 8 weeks, I am back to doing everything I was doing pre-surgery, including bike riding, weight lifting, and core exercises . I am house cleaning with my wife again , and gearing up for some spring home improvement projects!
What Is A Robotic Or Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Now routine procedures at Cleveland Clinic, laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy are minimally invasive surgery procedures used to remove the prostate. Both forms of surgery are now routinely offered at the Cleveland Clinic to patients with prostate cancer. Our single-institution experience now exceeds 1000 cases of laparoscopic and robotic prostate surgery performed.
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Air Travel And Prostate Cancer
- If you feel you might need special assistance let the airline know of your condition after you book. If you use a catheter take a spare and mention this to airline staff to avoid any delays. Ask if you are entitled to early check-in and see if you can get access to the airlines lounge to relax before the flight.If youve had brachytherapy the implanted radioactive seeds may set off airport sensors, so ensure you have a medical advice card or a note from your doctor for this in your hand luggage.