Recovery after prostate cancer surgery

Follow the surgeon’s instructions on lifting, driving, bathing and catheter removal. Walking is encouraged as directed, while strenuous activity waits until the surgical team confirms that internal and external healing are progressing.

A urinary catheter temporarily drains the bladder while the connection between the bladder and urethra heals. Bladder leakage commonly appears after catheter removal and may improve with healing and correctly performed pelvic-floor exercises. Your continence pattern depends on health, anatomy and the operation performed.

Erections may be weaker or absent at first because the nerves and blood vessels beside the prostate can be affected, even when nerve-sparing surgery is possible. Orgasm may still occur, but ejaculation no longer occurs after the prostate and seminal vesicles have been removed. Fertility options should be discussed before treatment when relevant.

The pathology report describes the tissue removed, including the cancer grade and whether tumour reaches a surgical margin. Your team combines this with later PSA results to decide whether observation or additional treatment should be discussed.

Keep the catheter tubing free of bends and the drainage bag below bladder level. Use prescribed pain relief, keep wounds clean as instructed, prevent constipation with fluids, movement and the recommended bowel plan, and complete any blood-clot prevention measures supplied at discharge.

Begin pelvic-floor exercises only with the technique and timing advised by your team; repeatedly tightening the wrong muscles can worsen discomfort. Bring a record of pad use, urine flow, pain and medication effects to follow-up. Ask early about erection rehabilitation because suitable options depend on healing and other medical conditions.

Contact the surgical team immediately if the catheter stops draining, falls out, or is accompanied by increasing lower abdominal pain. Urgent assessment is also needed for fever, shaking chills, worsening wound redness, pus, heavy bleeding, severe pain, repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down.

Call emergency services for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, collapse, or a painful swollen leg. After catheter removal, seek prompt help if you cannot pass urine. Do not insert, remove or flush a catheter unless a trained clinician has specifically taught you to do so.

Ask what the pathology shows, when PSA will be tested, and what findings might lead to radiotherapy or another treatment. Confirm when you may drive, lift, work and resume sexual activity, plus where to obtain continence support, pelvic-floor physiotherapy and sexual rehabilitation.