Hi Paul
I had da vinci in oct 2013. so far it has been a success with clear test results. my stats were similar to yours though my psa was 4.3 on diagnosis. i had no symptoms or family history and only an annual blood test showed something happening inside. i was 6 weeks from diagnosis to op but what a long 6 weeks. i think you did the same in 4 weeks so waht a whirlwind for you
My thoughts from what i remember.
I expected internal pain from the op but didnt have anything. The only pain was getting out of bed from the incisions. As a regular gym user my doctor told me to increase fitness levels before the op so 3 trips a week went up to 5. good advice as i am sure my fitness was a big help in recovery. Only thing is i started thinking i was fitter than i was and tried to run before walking. so first week is definitely a case of total rest. you might feel good but your body has gone through so much. i watched films and slept most of the first week.
i set myself aims and started doing one or two 20 min walks in the second week. i had an aim to turn up for the monthly meeting of the local support group 2 weeks after the op. a relation drove me there. the members there were surprised to see me as they said they didnt think i would be able to attend so soon.
at the end of the third week i was driving locally and got to the gym!! i just did my pelvic exercises and some walking on a running machine but the big thing was able to drive and walk into the gym. i felt life was returning to normal.it was many months before i attempted to return a normal gym routine
after 6 weeks i started swimming which became my main activity. i was on full pads for the first 4 weeks. i expected this but it was very frustrating. sneezing, coughing etc all had an effect. then suddenly i found i could go onto very small pads. what a relief!! 2 weeks later i realised i did not need any pads and since then have not used any. i am 99% dry. there is the occasional minor leak and it just happens for no reason.
over 2 years on and i feel great. i am working normally and my work is physical but i have no problems with it.Last July i started playing walking football which is so much fun. we have coaching from a qualified coach and then a game. i never thought at 60 that i would be going football training. our team are entering 2 national competitions this year and i am have made a new social network.
we are all different so take your time with your recovery and keep us informed.