Prostate Surgery Rehabilitation
Dr. Randy Fagin: Hi, I'm Dr. Randy Fagin of the Prostate Centre of Austin. I want to talk to you about resuming sexual relations, after your prostate surgery. This DVD will outline a simple program for penile rehabilitation, that includes the use of a vacuum pump. Robotic prostatectomy has revolutionized the treatment for prostate cancer, and the sexual function recover I've seen in my patents is very exciting. But remember, even when the nerves are spared, rehabilitation of sexual function can take anywhere from three months to two years. With our rehabilitation program, the goal is to get you back to your pre-operative sexual function in less than 12 months. Keep in mind, this means that if you were having difficulties with erections prior to surgery, those difficulties will still persist after rehab. Our penile rehabilitation program focuses on getting your erections back, but it doesn't happen overnight. While this process takes time and effort, it will give you a real opportunity to return to the intimacy you have enjoyed throughout your adult life.
Narrator: The first step is to schedule an appointment with one of our nurses who specialize in post-surgery penile rehabilitation. He will walk you through the process and answer, in detail, any questions you may have. At your first appointment, we will review the rehab process, describing what we do, why we're doing it, and how it can benefit you. We will ask some personal questions related to your erections prior to surgery. This will help guide us in setting realistic goals for you. Next, we will ask about your general health history, and any medications or supplements you are currently taking. The doctor will then prescribe one of the oral medications, either Viagra or Cialis. We want you to take it 2-3 times per week at bedtime after surgery. As the nerves are healing, these medications help the healing process and increase blood flow. The doctor will then prescribe a penile vacuum pump. The pump is an essential part of the process, as it assists in exercising the penile muscles. One of the primary reasons both patients and doctors prefer the Osbon ErecAid System is that it is so easy to use. Here's how it works: Place your penis inside the vacuum cylinder. As the air is pumped out of the cylinder, A vacuum is created, that pulls blood in to your penis, making it expand and become rigid. Once you have achieved an erection, wait 5-10 seconds, and then press the release button. After the penis has decreased in fullness, repeat the process three or four times. You can do this twice a day for maximum effectiveness. At your second rehab visit, we will review your progress using the combination of the oral medication and the vacuum pump. We would like you to use the vacuum pump on a daily basis, or at least 5 time per week. Incorporating this in to your daily routine helps maintain consistency to your rehabilitation efforts. There may be additional follow-up visits to check on your progress. Each person progresses at a slightly different pace, and may have different issues that arise along the way.
Dr. Randy Fagin: This rehabilitation process has been successfully used by hundreds of my patents to assist them in regaining sexual function. While it does require a personal investment of time, effort and money, it's well worth it. Remember, we're here to assist and guide you through each step of this process, and we look forward to working with you.