Surgery: follow-up

Your hospital stay will depend on how quickly you recover from surgery (the average stay is about 5 days). When you awake, you’ll find that a tube called a Foley Catheter has been inserted through your penis to drain urine from your bladder. This will be removed within 1 to 3 weeks of your return home. As a result of having a catheter in your bladder, you may experience discomfort from contractions, as the bladder wall is irritated by this tube. It is common to feel a false sense of bladder fullness, and urge to urinate. This sensation is normal, and medications are available to relieve these symptoms in both a pill and suppository form.

Once the catheter is removed you may find that you are incontinent (loss of bladder control). This will improve over time. Most men are fully recovered at 3 to 6 months after surgery. Exercises known as Kegels can be performed to decrease the length of time the incontinence persists. Approximately 10% of men may have stress incontinence (i.e. sneezing, coughing) that persists, and 5% may be totally incontinent. These men may desire a second operation to implant an "artificial" sphincter. This is not usually decided until one year following surgery.

The average recovery period following surgery is 4 - 6 weeks. During this time you should refrain from any heavy lifting or straining, but be sure to remain as active as possible. This speeds up the recovery process.

Within 5 - 6 weeks after surgery, your PSA should fall to undetectable levels. Depending on the amount and location of the tumour you can expect to have your PSA tested every 3 to 6 months during the first year after the surgey. After the first year you’ll have your PSA tested every 6 to 12 months.

Impotence (loss of sexual function) is another common side effect associated with surgical removal of the prostate. The rate at which your sexual function will improve is relative to your sexual function before surgery, age, general health and whether or not the nerves have been spared during surgery. A time period of 1 year is recommended for complete recovery, however as both the prostate and the seminal vesicles are removed, orgasm will be without a fluid ejaculation, or dry. Various treatments for impotence are available, and may be discussed with your doctor if necessary.

For dietary and exercise tips following surgery or for more information on impotence and incontinence visit the Support section of The Prostate Centre.

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