Hi, John!  Glad to hear everything is going well and as predicted.

I did not have RLRP, but I can tell you that this is normal.  It's a tube,
not a seal.  Don't force any flatulence or you'll have the same condition
sitting in your chair.

Hello John!
Up here on the other end of the planet (NY Catskill Mountains), I had the
same issues that you mention. I had my da Vinci on Oct 13 so I am just a bit
further along than you. Feel free to ask me questions, my information is
anecdotal but great for a comparison anyway.
Specifics:
RRP Oct 13, 2007 T1c Gleason 6 (3+3)
Catheter out 9 days Path report 70% prostate had cancer cells Gleason upped
to 7 (3+4) Cancer did not appear to have escaped the prostate and the
seminal vesicles removed.
Leaked allot for the first 2 months - started to be frustrated by it. Did my
Kegels... still leaked... Started to dry up about 4 weeks ago, pretty dry
now, use 2 pads per day, only damp after normal day wetter if active.
Sex is returning with help from Viagra. Not as hard as I want but at times
better than others.

I too had pain above the perineum. Especially when sitting next to the
computer asking and reading information from this great group. Not that they
are a pain in the a.s, but that I spend lots of time sitting getting great
info and caring comments. Try sitting on a soft pillow. I would expect the
pain as normal considering you just had a part of that area carved out. I
have no tenderness there now. How bad is the pain? I was given pain killers
after the surgery but never had to use them. I expect some pain is normal. I
feel free to call the Dr.s office and ask questions. I don't expect the Dr
to answer them all, simple questions can be answered by the contact given.

Urine escaping the side of the catheter... I too had that leak. I took it
that the urine squeezed out the bladder when I squeezed hard. I was on stool
softeners to make that easier. I had a few instances when urine had blood in
it and even small clots. I called very worried and was told that is normal
and to drink lots of fluids to clear things up.

Again, feel free to ask questions, I might be able to ease your mind on some
issues.

Peter

John,

Answers to your questions based on my experiences:

1) Yes but slight in magnitude and not constant

2) No, but my catheter did begin to leak after 10 days of three mile
walks.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery mate!

Hello John.

You will feel better and better.

The guys and ladies here will guide you.

I had an open RP 3 years ago and when I went to have my cath removed (11
days)...the nurse said that this was one appointment that nobody ever
missed. :-)

I needed a pad to go home.

Also, the one question I can answer is that the urine coming out around
the cath happens.

The other question...I believe that pain happens and is not so unusual.

Best of everything,

Ron B.

Chicago

John,

I had my DaVinci surgery four days ago.  I went home virtually pain free but
developed the ache above the perineum that you and Peter mentioned,
especially when sitting.  The hospital sent me home with an inflatable donut
which I finally blew up this morning.  I now use it whenever I'm sitting.
There is no pain then and only a very mild ache when I walk around.  This is
a similar solution to Peter's pillow.  Having little to no pressure in the
area works well for me.

I don't have the leak around the catheter that you discussed but the
hospital nurse told me to expect some leakage.  I wish my catheter was
coming out this Thursday but I'll have to wait until the following Monday!
Best wishes on your recovery.

Jim