| SEXUAL FUNCTION AFTER DAVINCI
ROBOTIC PROSTATE SURGERY |
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| “When
will my erection return” |
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| General |
| It is important to remember
that regaining erectile function takes time after prostate
surgery. Nerve tissue, even when spared by Dr. Fagin,
takes time to recover from the inflammation and scarring
that occurs after surgery. Factors affecting erection
recovery include patient age, whether one or both nerves
are spared, and how rigid the erections are prior to surgery. |
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| Why Wouldn’t You Want
To Spare Both Nerves? |
Even though it is usually technically
possible to spare the nerves, sometimes the nerves themselves
can be invaded by cancer and must be removed in order
to remove all of the cancer. If the cancer has not reached
the nerves controlling erections, Dr. Fagin is able to
spare the nerves with exceptional precision provided by
his experience and the visual capabilities of the daVinci
robot.
Although Dr. Fagin can spare the nerves there is no way
to guarantee these nerves will function properly after
surgery due to variability in patient anatomy, scarring,
and condition. It is important to realize that
some men never regain the ability to maintain an erection
after daVinci prostatectomy regardless of nerve sparing.
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| How can I maximize my chances
of regaining erections after surgery? |
| Some recently presented and
published studies have found that daily and every other
day doses of 100mg of Viagra for 6 months following prostate
surgery increased ability to attain full erections when
compared with groups who did not receive any medication.
Because of this exciting new information Dr. Fagin prescribes
Viagra 100mg every other day beginning the night you go
home from surgery |
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| When Can I return to Sexual Activity? |
| Let the surgery heal for three to four weeks before
attempting anything. Stimulation of the nerves is thought
to be a first step on the journey back to potency so take
your Viagra and make regular attempts at stimulation beginning
4 weeks after surgery. Remember that you can still experience
pleasures and sensual stimulations without full erections.
The average time to recovery for erections adequate for
intercourse (in those who do recover) is 6-12 months,
but in some men it is even longer. |
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| I Don't Have Erections After Surgery, Am I Impotent
for Life? |
Think of your erections as a well conditioned athlete,
who has been injured. This injury is going to take time
to heal. You should try to remain patient, and remember
that this will be an ongoing battle for many months and
even years. Rehabilitation of potency is much like a sports
injury. Proper conditioning and medical treatment may
potentially speed up recovery, but it is not guaranteed.
If you see any fullness in your erections in the months
after surgery, this is a positive sign that some of the
nerves are working or re-growing. You are taking the first
steps down the potency recovery path.
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