Hi sherbet definitely pads they will be cheaper amount of changes there could be, main person to talk to is [@telemando]‍ he's been there done that, best wishes.. Billy 

Thank you for your reply. We have a home nursing meeting after the  assessment but I just wanted a view from other people. We have also been told he will have to have injections every day for 4 weeks, again not sure how that works.

Everything seems to be a bit scary and confusuing.  Thanks for listening.

Hi sherbert.

I went through all this back in 2010. 

Injections are self administered and quite easy. I had no problems.  It was one a day for 28 days.  There is a video here of a man administering a jab to himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YtO7K2vkcI

Regarding the catheter, always put the night bag in a bucket!  It's very easy to get the taps wrong and end up with a carpet full of p---.  Everybody does it at least once!  But if the bag is in a bucket then it saves the carpet.

It's very unlikely your hubby will need pull ups. The nearest equivalent to the product I used is TENA Men Absorbent Protector Level 2.  This was more than adequate. I also tried some products from MoliMed, and I found one which was somewhat better for wearing at night.  You can get free samples from websites so it's worth asking. I didn't find any products that would allow me to continue wearing boxers - I had to wear Y-fronts instead, and I wasn't very happy about that. 

I didn't have any night leakage problems, but I still recommend you buy a moisture resistant mattress protector. 

I used 1-2 pads during the day, and another at night, for about 3 months.  After 3 months I stopped using the Tena pads and bought the much cheaper Always Ultra, which I cut in half across the width of the pad. I wore one half during the day and the other at night. After another 3 months I was confident enough to stop wearing pads completely. 

Please don't be scared. I've been through this and you just have to take it one day at a time.  I had guidance from a colleague who had been through it earlier and his words comforted me: "At no time was it ever as bad as I feared it might be."  I can confirm that. 

Thank you for your kind words. 

I'm just trying to be prepared beforehand to make it a bit less stressful. My hubby is fit and healthy ( apart  from the prostae !!!! ) so everything will be fine. 

Do you know how long you usually wait from having a pre op to the actual surgery.

Sorry I seem to be picking your brains but I am very grateful. 

Thanks once again

The pre-op is usually in the preceding 14 days before the operation. If the operation is significantly delayed for any reason then they may want to repeat the pre-op. 

If your husband has any blood pressure problems then I recommend he makes sure it is well controlled in time for the pre-op, because this is something they will pay particular attention to. 

Hi sherbert

At the time, the preparations for surgery seem to fill every waking moment, then suddenly it's come and gone, and there's a slight sense of anticlimax. 

Now, it's nearly 9 years since my prostate op and it feels almost like it was a dream. 

Let us know when your hubby has a date for surgery. 

Hi there

Its 22nd October . .20 days and counting !!!

Thank you for your support.

Hi there

Hubby has had his surgery on 22nd. He's now home armed with all the paraphenalia . Our first night went OK. The only problem we had to change his night bag as it was full, thankfully we have got some spares. 

The only thing that we are waiting for is his bowels to open. This is causing hubby a bit of concern . We have been told to phone if he hasn't been within three days. Its only the second day so fingers crossed .

I want to thank you for all the support. You have been a great help.

Pop to the chemist and get some Fybogel sachets.  He should have two per day.  Mix the contents with a FULL glass of water and chug it down - it doesn't taste unpleasant.   That should get things moving down below!

I'm not sure if I mentioned in an early posting - always put the night bag in a bucket overnight. More than one person has got the taps mixed up and ended up with a carpet full of p---- !!  It nearly happened to me, but the bucket caught everything. I've passed this tip on to everyone, and quite a few have come back to say that it saved their carpet!

If he needs painkillers then he must avoid aspirin and ibuprofen.  Stick with paracetamol or paracetamol+codeine.  If the pain is really bad then the doctor will probably give his some Zapain. 

The real fun starts when the catheter comes out.  Make sure you've got plenty of pads, and expect to get no sleep on the first night!