Prostatectomy with an implant

[chiali09]

43 years old, got an implant in June, Kramer. Thrilled with it. Best decision I ever made. Better than pills and of course those barbaric injections. But of course life goes on....

My PSA has tripled over the last 8 months (3.2 in February to 9.1 in November followed by a second test two weeks later at 7.9). MRI revealed two lesions they want to biopsy which I will get done within the next two weeks. I don't care what the biopsy says, the writing is on the wall long-term. Prostate Cancer family history is more abysmal than anyone you have ever met. Dad got it at age 46 and his two brothers before the age of 60. So I'm pretty much screwed. I am proactively on top of this which is what I have in my favor. Thinking I might as well just put an end to this once and for all and get the damn thing out. Unlike Implants before going that route, I haven't started my research yet. Can anyone here help me get started and make my research easier?

First Question being, has anyone here ever had their prostate removed AFTER they got an implant?

#2 Anything I need to know or any recommendations for someone in my situation? Any recommendations as to who should do it?

No, I have not talked to Kramer or my Chicago urologist just yet (of course I will), that will come post-biopsy results in a few weeks. I just want to get a head start on it all.

PS Also of note, urination has been an issue due to prostate enlargement (all three urologistI have encountered in my life have commented on how "Huge" it is). Flomax worked but went on it at age 41. Did a microwave procedure to improve flow and come off the meds before I got my implant to rule out Flomax contributing to my ED. Unfortunately I see my self going back on the flomax very soon as this is starting to wear off (it's a temporary fix that can last up to 5 years in the literature but 1 year is more common and I'm coming up just short of that). Thanks

[alibaba]

I cannot recommend who. I've had friends screwed up everywhere from Mayo clinic, MD Anderson down to the local quack on the corner. Just find someone who has experience so you don't have pee leak issues or residual cancer. Those two are the only part that I can say I came out well though it took about 4 years to get past the pee issues ( most of the time now). What I can say is you are at a MAJOR advantage over us who had a prostatectomy first then waited years to get an implant. While we lost substantial length and has issues from fibrosis in the interem wait, you are way ahead of that. Best of luck. Prostate cancer sucks. I dealt with the enlarged prostate from my 30's till at 49 the cancer got to the point is had to be addressed immediately. d

[alibaba]

That is a pretty quick rise in PSA. Mine was going up 3/4 point every 2 weeks in the 8 months between when it went wild and it came out. Went from partial involvement in 3 lobes ( 24 biopsies) to total involvement in all 4 lobes plus nerves in that time. I think when we are young and get it, you can forget the "it grows slow and that is not what will kill you" bit most docs feed us. Dr. Eid sent me an email back then when I told him I wish I'd never had the prostatectomy. He said I would have died a slow and excruciatingly painful death instead. It was the slap back to reality that I needed to hear at the time, but being you already have an implant, I do not think you will feel the impact I did. Way ahead of the game sir! d

[stringerbell]

chiali09,
Congrats on being a STUD at organizing your life- you fixed your ED situation, are thrilled with the result, and now you can deal with the prostate, but honestly they can't hurt you now, your erections are already fixed. Also congrats on going to who I'd also consider the best in the world (Kramer) who did mine too, only I waited 3 years after my prostatectomy to get mine done. Funny- Dr. Kramer was so outspokenly against surgery for prostate cancer- I don't know where he got his bias from. But he thinks it's barbaric to take out the prostate, but admitted to me he wasn't smart enough to understand the whole disease, who needs surgery, the whole PSA issue, etc. I found it amusing, but made me think. Go to one of the star robotic guys, your implant will be just fine, recovery 1-2 weeks. Good luck!

[alibaba]

I have to agree about the stud bit and there will be no issues with the implant, but recovery form a prostatectomy in 2-3 weeks? I've never heard of such. for me it was more like 3 months and then a few years for the issues that can resolve to do so. 2others in my neighborhood are younger and it took 4 months for one to get 1/2 way normal and 1 1/2 years for the other. d

[chiali09]

Thanks all. In what little research I have done, I'm looking to go the Robotic route as University of Chicago is one of the top centers in the country for it. Perhaps that will make it easier? Not as invasive.

[alibaba]

chiali09, I just wanted to know we are wishing you the best of out comes and please keep us posted! d

[chiali09]

Thanks! I will keep you posted. They were supposed to call me Friday to schedule the biopsy but they never did. As bad as it sounds, if it comes back positive it is a huge weight of chest. It will make me act quicker and I know without question it is coming any year so I would rather deal with it while I'm young. Can I honestly go thru with this every single year until it happens? Let's just get it over with. To be continued. Before Christmas I will know either way. I'll be back when I know.