STS, my surgeon is confident that the prostate tumors are completely gone and he was able to spare the nerves that are key to getting erections. But not only the prostate but the other glands that supply fluid to make semen are gone. I knew that was going to happen going into the surgery. I opted for the surgery rather than radiation because the long term cure rates are substantally better with the surgery. The problem is that the nerves that control erection and blood flow do not automatically go right back to normal after the surgery, but it takes time for them to repair themselves. 12 months is more-or-less the average wait, but it could take 18-24 months or even longer. In the meantime, I do not have to worry about getting an erection getting into a Speedo tho there are some other weird issues. There are some studies that suggest that Viagra aids in restoring blood flow, and my surgeon gave me a few pills to try, tho I am waiting for the nerves to heal a little more before I run the experiments.
There are some other surprising consequences of the surgery. A classic problem is incontinence, but for me that cleared up quickly for the most part in a matter of weeks after surgery. Except that the weirder problem is that w/o a prostate to shut off urine flow, when I touch myself on my bottom or even wear a thong I an liable to shoot a small steam of urine. Indeed, if I get sexually aroused for any reason that can happen too. I am glad I am not in a relationship as this could really be an issue with a partner.
Having said all of this, even w/o a significant erection, i am easily able to have really nice-feeling orgasms, tho without semen any more. These still feel really great, thankfully.And I also think I am starting to feel the beginnings of blood flow return to my penis, if only slightly. Some of the things I am doing with straps, compression shorts, etc are in part therapy experiments to check out exactly what I am feeling and what is happening in the entire groin area post-surgery especially when I get myself tighty strapped in and my penis is in a very confined space.
Patience! Patience!
Sebbie
|