(1) For those of you who had a radical prostatectomy, how many have recovered to where an erection capable of penetration without pills, needles, implants, etc has occurred?
(2) If you have recovered erectile capability, was it an "overnight" event, or are there signals along the recovery process that indicate functionality is returning?
Question 1, is to get better data than that presented in Mulholland's book (Saving Your Sex Life, p.68) which cites 22 studies from 2000 to 2007 where results vary widely. Patient numbers per study ranged from 42 to 25,561 (mean/average 1,646 patients); percent "capable of having sexual intercourse" ranged from 12% to 96% (mean/average 48%; standard deviation 25%).
Question 2, is for yours truly to be on the lookout for something positive happening "down there". Waiting 12-24 months (post surgery) for results, to me, is bullshit guidance.
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baw1955
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I have no "partner" and therefore no need for erection sufficient for penetration. It is nice to get hard enough to masturbate more enjoyably though. A "pill" makes it better. The silver lining to living single: no worry about "satisfying" a partner or feeling "potent."
Waiting, being on the lookout, without doing anything else would indeed be bullshit guidance. Sexual rehab is useful--including pills, pumps, kegels, professional guidance--can all help, and can help yo spot any "signs"--you also need to gradually accustom yourself to the changes that have happened (no come, needing more stiumlation to achieve any degreeof hardness, loss of size, whatever--so that the thought itself of those changes doesn't get in the way--working is better than plain old waiting
I guess I've been fortunate. Shortly after surgery, I started taking Cialis pills. After 3 months, my erections were partial and not quite enough for intercourse. After 6 months, my erections were firm enough for intercourse, but not every time. I stopped Cialis and then started taking Viagra whenever I needed it (just to save money). About 9 months after surgery, I no longer needed any medication, and my erections were full, like they were before surgery. I had surgery at age 52. That was exactly one year ago.
I had Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in Kingston Ontario Canada on January 14th. I had a small erection the night of the surgery (it woke me up) and several since. I had a normal erection followed by sex last week. All functioned normal except for the climax which is quite different. Everything is almost normal both erections and no incontinence.
Gosh. Time for a controlled study which led to such remarkable results. If no one else wants to understand the factors involved in the elimination of both major side-effects of RRP, I for one do.
I agree with Tall Allen that controlled studies are superior to the info you get from anecdotes.
With my gleason 6, and 1%, 2% and 8% involvement, many people wonder why I don't have the robot remove my prostate. It seems that after surgery, my whole ------- life will change. For the worse. So, that's why.
Jack, I don't have any issue with reading and analyzing results from controlled studies (I am an engineer, and will continue to research and understand studies). That said, I have no access to the individual experiences, backgrounds, data intake methodology, etc. of the participants whose data is reported. If anything, I believe the marriage of statistics with self-reported information is most meaningful.
OK. As far as statistics, it is reported that Mark Twain said that there are 3 types of lies: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." Used in the right hands, statistics will interpret the results of studies. Which is why I continue to affirm controlled group studies over anecdotal "self-reported" information.
This is unbelievable. Here we are fighting for our lives and arguing about stats. I guess I take to my grave that Paul McCartney is alive. lol
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Diagnosed today
Opinions on my 2nd MRI results 
After Active Surveillance since 2013, time to explore treatment options
Update: 3 weeks Post Davinci Surgery
Newly Diagnosed
