Through routine physicals, and the fact my father died from cancer at 55, and my older brother was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at 53, we decided to do PSA tests starting at about 49. The initial PSA readings were always in the 3's and occasionally in the low 4's, then back down into the 3's. My urologist suggested we do a biopsy which we did in Oct 2018, at the age of 50. The biopsy came back with Gleasons of mostly 3+3 but some 3+4 and percentages ranging from 25% to 75% of the core samples had the tumor.

My urologist (Kaiser) sent me some very useful research material, plus what I had researched on my own. Following the research, we both agreed that Robotic Assisted Surgery was going to be the best treatment given the Gleason scores and my age and chance for optimum recovery. I received two other opinions from very respected Urologists who agreed with the surgery option. Fortunately for me, Kaiser near my home has one of the leading robotic surgeons in California and the robotic machine is in San Francisco, 45 minutes from my house. He has done over 300 surgeries of this kind.

On 12/13/18 I had the surgery. I writing this on 12/20/18 from my couch, in minimal pain, with a catheter in that painful at times, uncomfortable the most. I may have been a rare exception but I went home the night of the surgery and went off the serious pain meds by Day 2 (hate the way they make me feel). I started to have regular bowel movements by Day 2 and went on a 4 mile walk on Day 3 and every day after. I've been getting partial erections at night which is extremely uncomfortable and painful but very encouraging.

I see my surgeon tomorrow to get it removed and review the post-op biopsy. He already called and gave me a sneak peak at it. Good news. Looks like the Gleason was the same and the cancer was confined to the prostate. I'll learn more tomorrow.

I'm extremely grateful for this site and thrilled to be a contributor and help others sort through the range of emotions and fears that go along with this journey

I'm writing this approximately a year after my prostate removal surgery.

First, the surgery was successful. I had a very experienced surgeon from Kaiser do the surgery. I was discharged the same day based on how I was feeling. I think that's pretty unusual.

Results: Prostate removed, post-op biopsy showed no encroachment of the cancer through the outer part of the prostate. He was able to spare one of the nerves, but did impact the other (see impact on ED below) My PSA is <.01 undetectable on all the PSA's I've done since surgery.

For the first week, the hardest part was dealing with the catheter. I had it in for a week. Once the catheter was out, I started my Kegel exercises and did them as instructed. I had moderate incontinence for about a a month or so after surgery where absorbent pads were very effective. It went down to almost nothing after that, and a year later its basically down to having to take extra time to drain when I'm relieving myself and occasionally a little leakage when I get aroused. I'm going to start Kegel's again to get rid of that but basically what I'm saying is the incontinence is a non issue

As for the ED, I was able to masturbate myself to a 80-90% erection with orgasm right after surgery and ever since with out meds. I tried to have sex within a couple of months after surgery using Sidenifil but that was unsuccessful. I resumed sexual activity about 6 months after surgery using Sidenfil and was able to get to a 80-90% erection with climax and had a very acceptable level of sexual activity.

As of now, a year later, I can now masturbate to full erection and climax without meds. I can get to 60% erection and climax without meds. With Sidenfiil, I can have 100% erection and climax and very very good sexual experiences. I've noticed that the climax is a bit more intense than before. I'm very pleased with my sex life post surgery with the help of Sidenifil. I'm going to try injections just to compare with meds and I'll report back on that.

Wanted you to know that my PSA is undetectable and I have very minor incontinence and minor ED. The incontinence only happens, very rarely, when I'm aroused ironically. My surgeon says that is totally normal. The ED has been a non-factor in my life. I do use Viagra and Cialis but I have plenty of instances with my partner where I don't need it at all. Even at 70% or 80% of full erection, we both have a very satisfying experience.

My post surgery life is really only a small variation away from my pre-surgery life. I am very very pleased with my decision.

Its been just over 6 years since my surgery. I continue to have undetectable levels of PSA. I am pleased to report that I'm back to close to 100% on sexual function without the use of pills or other assistance. I have very minor incontinence which is completely manageable. Life is good!!

I am just passing the 5 year mark from my surgery. My PSA is undetectable. I am back to 95% or even 100% on sexual function. I have occasional moments of urine leakage which is totally acceptable and manageable. I would consider the surgery and recovery an overwhelming success and I couldn't be more pleased.

Scott's e-mail address is: scottraymond68 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")