Serious answers only - Prostate Cancer?

My husband was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer - he is only in his early fourty's. - they will remove his prostate - my question is, if he does the robatic procedure, will he keep his errection? If not, what else is out there to help him? I'm afraid, that this will depress him severly (I know I would be depressed). What can I do to help him thru this and also afterwards? Can the cancer society help?

Serious answers only - Prostate Cancer?
Chris,





You are asking a number of very important questions. The first step in getting good answers is the identification of a doctor who is skilled in this area and can spend the time you need to go through it. Having said that ...





Many variables affect post-op function, including erections. Younger men recover erections faster than older men, for example. In this, your husband has a relative advantage.





It does not always make sense to keep or take the nerves. The decision has to be made in context of a cancer decision. What stage is the cancer? What grade was found on the biopsy? Can one nerve be spared? Should both be spared? These can be considered when all the details are known.





The "robot" is nothing but a distraction. In other words, what gizmo the surgeon uses is practically irrelevant. You might want to listen to the two interviews linked below, especially the Prostate Net one on robotic prostate surgery.





What truly matters is this: who is the surgeon? A good surgeon knows which tools to use to get the job done. To help you find the good surgeon, ask about his experience, focus, commitment. Talk with his other patients. If he won't introduce you, that's a red flag all by itself.





You're already doing a lot for your husband. Women so often do. Ask questions, share what you find, and just be there.
Reply:There is a new ultrasound procedure that claims to decrease the risk of causing erection difficulties. Many men have difficulty obtaining or maintaining erections after prostate removal, even with taking medications like viagra or cealis. Check up on the web, that's how I located the new procedure.
Reply:IF AT ALL POSSIBLE DONT DO ROBOTIC!! my grandfather had the robotic done and they knicked his rectum and it took about 2 years of pain and agony to finish this off.. if you go with the robotic have your lawyer standing by.....
Reply:I promise you, if he dies because he goes untreated, he will not have an erection for you. Treatment at least gives him a chance.





Treatment results vary, but robotic results tend to be better. They allow more precision in destroying only diseased tissue, with less chance of affecting his sex life.





He can still be a great lover, even if he does have erection problems after treatment. Show him that you love everything he does for you - that's what real potency is about, making the lady happy. Be ready to try different things with him. Find out what still works, maybe things you never tried before. There are surgical options; do some research and be prepared for conversations with lots of emotion in them.





Some women have self-image problems after mastectomy. True lovers still love them anyway. Men might have self-image problems after prostate treatment. True lovers still love them anyway.





Prepare for the worst. Who knows - you might not get it.

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