Post surgery therapy

I had my prostate removed on 9/8/09. Recovering very well. Doctor said he saved the nerves and prescribed ceilus. Is there any suggestions to help bring back an erection?? Should I be waiting? should I be working at?? Can I hurt my potential rehabilitation by pushing the issue. Only 52 and not ready to give up???    

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

Thank you for your question. As I have performed over 2000 prostatectomies, this situation is all too familiar. There have been many methods in describing penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy. This can include taking a PDE5 inhibitor regularly or a PGE1 penile suppository. The medicines will theoretically cause an increase in blood flow to the cavernosal tissue. I sometimes have patients take PDE5 inhibitors prior to surgery for this reason.

Regaining potency, as well as continence, should be considered part of your rehabilitation.

Thank you for your question. Best of luck.

Sincerely,

Ashutosh (Ash) K. Tewari, MD
www.cornellroboticprostate.org

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