[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/after-prostate-surgery\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/after-prostate-surgery\/","headline":"What Happens After Prostate Surgery?","name":"What Happens After Prostate Surgery?","description":"Here's what to expect following prostate surgery.","datePublished":"2020-09-15","dateModified":"2024-03-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","name":"Urology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/after-prostate-surgery.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/after-prostate-surgery.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/after-prostate-surgery\/","about":["Cancer Care","Health Topics A-Z","Living and Wellness","Men's Health","Prostate Cancer","Urology"],"wordCount":860,"keywords":["UPMC Men's Health Center"],"articleBody":"If you have\u00a0prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part or all of your prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in front of the rectum and below the bladder.Afterward, you’ll have recovery time in the hospital and at home. Here’s what to expect.What Happens After Prostate Surgery?If you\u2019ve been told you need prostate surgery, you may be wondering what to expect.After surgery, you\u2019ll stay in the hospital for a day or two. You may feel sore, but nurses will encourage you to get up as soon as possible. Walking helps your body start to recover from the surgery and function normally again.Because you can\u2019t urinate on your own right away, you\u2019ll have a catheter in your penis. The thin, flexible tube empties urine into a bag.Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine for a few days immediately following surgery. After that, you\u2019ll switch to over-the-counter pain medications.What Happens When You Go Home?Keep in mind that\u00a0recovery from prostate surgery\u00a0will take some time. Be patient with yourself. Here are some things to expect after prostate removal:You\u2019ll need someone to drive you home from the hospital. You shouldn\u2019t drive for at least two weeks after the surgery.You\u2019ll go home with a catheter to remove urine. It will stay in place for two to three weeks until your urethra heals. (You can hide the bag inside your pants.) You\u2019ll return to the hospital to have the catheter removed.You may have some swelling. If your penis and scrotum are swollen, an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) can help. Snug-fitting underwear also can help reduce swelling.You should wait three or four weeks to begin vigorous exercise. Walking is fine. Running, weightlifting, and taking long bike rides are not. Likewise, you should wait at least two to three weeks to return to work.What to Expect After Prostate Removal: Common Side EffectsMost men who have prostate surgery experience some side effects \u2013 including urinary incontinence\u00a0and\u00a0erectile dysfunction\u00a0(ED) \u2014 at least temporarily. How long these side effects last depends on your age, overall health, and the extent of your surgery.Urinary incontinenceAfter prostate surgery, it may take weeks or even months to regain normal bladder control. You may leak some urine or not be able to control your urine at all. You may need to wear disposable underwear for a while.The good news is that doctors can treat urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. Here\u2019s how:Bladder training \u2014 You train your bladder by using the restroom only at certain times. Over time, you build how long you can wait between bathroom breaks.Injections \u2014 Doctors can inject collagen into the area around the urethra to help it work properly.Kegel exercises\u00a0\u2014 This movement strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor, giving you better control of your urine flow.Medicine \u2014 Some drugs can help control bladder spasms (the urgent feeling that you need to \u201cgo\u201d).Surgery \u2014 There are several\u00a0surgical options\u00a0for treating incontinence after removal of the prostate.Erectile dysfunctionNearly all men who have prostate surgery experience ED for at least a few months afterward. Sometimes it lasts longer. There are many ways to\u00a0treat ED.Oral medicines \u2014 Prescription drugs such as Viagra and Cialis can help with ED.Vacuum device \u2014 This mechanical pump is placed over the penis. As the air moves out of the pump, it draws blood into the penis to create an erection.Penile injection \u2014 You can inject a synthetic hormone into the base of the penis before sex. There\u2019s also a suppository form you place in the tip of the penis.Penile implants\u00a0\u2014 Doctors surgically insert silicone rods or an inflatable device into the penis. You may want to try this option if others don\u2019t work.Changes in orgasmYou should still be able to have an orgasm after prostate surgery. In some men, the orgasm becomes less intense. Because doctors remove the prostate and seminal vesicles that make semen, you won\u2019t ejaculate any fluid.Loss of fertilityYour testicles will still make sperm, but they can\u2019t leave the body. So, after prostate surgery, you can\u2019t father a child the natural way. For this reason, some men choose to bank their sperm before the surgery so they can have a biological child.To learn more about prostate surgery or to schedule an appointment with the UPMC Department of Urology, please call 1-800-533-8762 or visit\u00a0UPMC.com\/urology.For male sexual and reproductive health issues, you can reach out to the UPMC Men\u2019s Health Center at 1-877-641-4MEN (4636) to connect with an expert.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 15, 2020, and was last reviewed on March 12, 2024.SourcesUrology Care Foundation, Life After Prostate Cancer https:\/\/www.urologyhealth.org\/patient-magazine\/magazine-archives\/2019\/fall-2019\/life-after-prostate-cancer-treatmentProstateCancer.net, Tips for Bladder Control After Surgeryhttps:\/\/prostatecancer.net\/living\/urinary-control-after-surgery\/American Cancer Society, Surgery for Prostate Cancerhttps:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/prostate-cancer\/treating\/surgery.htmlNational Cancer Institute, Prostate Cancer Treatmenthttps:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/types\/prostate\/patient\/prostate-treatment-pdq"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Happens After Prostate Surgery?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/after-prostate-surgery\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]