Any problems getting a RALP when already implanted?

[ThatTallGuy]

I'm already cleared for an implant but it was contingent on my Prostate cancer biopsy diagnosis and it would determine which one would occur first. My implant doctor said it was no problem getting an implant now and then doing a RALP later if needed, but my Urologist for the prostate cancer said that an implant would make it very difficult to do a RALP with an implant installed.

My Gleason score was a 3+3 so we are simply going to monitor the cancer for now, but my prostate Urologist said it is likely that at some point we would have to get aggressive with treatment and since my first choice would be removal vs radiation, he doesn't want to deal with an implant during the RALP so he is advising me against doing the implant now. It might be 3-5 years before we do anything like that!

Has anyone else gotten an implant before doing the RALP and were there any complications?

[daddel]

What is RALP?

[LGXDownunder]

What is RALP?

Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy.

I'm already cleared for an implant but it was contingent on my Prostate cancer biopsy diagnosis and it would determine which one would occur first. My implant doctor said it was no problem getting an implant now and then doing a RALP later if needed, but my Urologist for the prostate cancer said that an implant would make it very difficult to do a RALP with an implant installed.

My Gleason score was a 3+3 so we are simply going to monitor the cancer for now, but my prostate Urologist said it is likely that at some point we would have to get aggressive with treatment and since my first choice would be removal vs radiation, he doesn't want to deal with an implant during the RALP so he is advising me against doing the implant now. It might be 3-5 years before we do anything like that!

Has anyone else gotten an implant before doing the RALP and were there any complications?

Mine was the other way around, which obviously makes it far easier. I was also on active surveillance initially because my Gleason score was low.
But after 12 months the cancer progressed to needing RALP surgery. I was advised against radiation due to the time lag to measure effectiveness.
So I went straight for the surgery, knowing that the side effects could be horrendous (and they were). That said I would probably seek a second opinion regarding performing the procedure post implant. It sounds like your RP surgeon is not keen on working around an implant, rather than it being impossible. I'm no doctor, so I don't know, but my thoughts are that it wouldn't hurt to get further medical advice if you can.

[UpNorth]

Top two urology hospitals in the states are Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. Give them a call. But damn. If you are ready for an implant I wouldn’t wait five more years.

[Afallach]

I had RALP done in the Cleveland clinic. There is so much to discuss when it comes to prostate cancer and what to do about it. If you’re fairly low on your Gleeson, I would first try to use the fenbenzodol treatment. I won’t go into the details here, but look up the medications and dosages online. It isn’t one of those miracle cures, however,It has proven for many to be successful in eradicating cancer. You should also consider taking high doses of melatonin to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Melatonin has been proven effective, however, you need to buy the powdered form and take at least 300 mg per day. It’s inexpensive, really doesn’t make you drowsy as you would think. And it’s easy to use a capsule maker to create your own capsules.

If you see, no improvement in six months or so, with a Gleason score, as you’ve described, then I would highly consider using the beads inserted before the radical prostatectomy. My fair warning to anyone contemplating surgery is that the likelihood of complications is much higher than what your surgery will tell you. Don’t let them BS you into saying that everything will be back to normal in three months. Not just myself, but everyone I have talked to has experienced some level of ongoing urinary incontinence. So just put it in your head that you’re gonna have to wear a pad for the rest of your life. Perhaps you’ll be one of the few fortunate ones that doesn’t, but I wouldn’t count on it.

I was able to have erections prior to the surgery. Not the same extent as in my 20s and 30s but still very acceptable. Once the surgery took place that completely stopped and did not return for the year and a half prior to having my implant done.

I wouldn’t wait for 3 to 5 years to get an implant. Obviously you have an interest in an active sex life or you wouldn’t be considering it so why go through all the hassles of pills or shots that really don’t work well? Since they only put five small slits in your abdomen to accommodate the machine, I don’t see how the reservoir would cause an issue.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, but I certainly wish you the best of luck in whichever direction you take.