What You Need To Know About Prostate Surgery
What is prostate surgery for?
The prostate is a gland located underneath the bladder, in front of the rectum. It plays an important role in the part of the male reproductive system that produces fluids that carry sperm.
Surgery for partial or complete removal of the prostate is called a prostatectomy. The most common causes for prostate surgery are prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia .
Pretreatment education is the first step to making a decisions about your treatment. All types of prostate surgery can be done with general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep, or spinal anesthesia, which numbs the lower half of your body.
Your doctor will recommend a type of anesthesia based on your situation.
The goal of your surgery is to:
- cure your condition
- maintain the ability to have erections
- minimize side effects
- minimize pain before, during, and after surgery
Read on to learn more about the types of surgery, risks, and recovery.
The goal of prostate surgery also depends on your condition. For example, the goal of prostate cancer surgery is to remove cancerous tissue. The goal of BPH surgery is to remove prostate tissue and restore the normal flow of urine.
Mistakes When Removing The Prostate
Other errors relate to how doctors perform surgery. Doctors have several methods for removing a prostate:
- Open surgery, where the surgeon cuts into the abdomen to reach the prostate
- Laparoscopic surgery, where small holes are created in the abdomen
- Transurethral resection, where the surgeon reaches the prostate via the urethra
The correct choice of procedure depends on many factors, such as the size of the prostate. When it is too large, transurethral resection makes less sense and can, in fact, lead to injury.
A careless surgeon could also damage nerves and fail to sterilize a wound. Some complications, such as incontinence, are commonat least initiallythough they should clear up after a month or two. But infections and permanent erectile dysfunction could stem from surgical error.
Immediately After A Prostatectomy
- You will stay in hospital for two to five days.
- Nurses will monitor your vital signs.
- Your pain will be managed with medication.
- You may be given antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
- You may have a drip inserted into your arm or hand for a few days.
- You will most likely have a drain tube out of your abdomen that will be removed in the first day or two after the surgery.
- You will be fitted with a small tube in your penis. The catheter drains urine into an attached bottle or bag. This catheter will be removed about one to three weeks after the operation. Your surgeon will tell you when it can be removed.
- In most cases, you will have to go home still wearing the catheter. You will be taught how to care for it.
Recommended Reading: Side Effects Of Prostate Supplements
Things You Should Expect After Prostate Surgery
Prostate removal is a major type of surgery and requires time for the body to recover. Even though robotic prostatectomy using the Da Vinci robot has less severe effects on the body and the patient can leave the hospital the same day, men should expect some changes in order to know how to deal with them. The surgery is performed through small incisions that are barely sensitive at the incision sites and the scar tissue is almost unnoticeable. Typically, the recovery is fast, most men are able to go home the next day and resume driving and working in two to three weeks after the surgery.
In the immediate hours after surgery:
What Are The Odds You Will Get Prostate Cancer
What are Prostate Cancer Risk Factors? One man in six will get prostate cancer. But which men and why? What makes some men predisposed to prostate cancer, while others are never diagnosed? Age, race, lifestyle, family history, where you live, and what you eat can be risk factors. Having one or more of the risk factors described on this page is not a guarantee that you will get prostate cancer, but it does mean your chances of developing prostate cancer are higher.
What are Prostate Cancer Risk Factors? One man in six will get prostate cancer. But which men and why? What makes some men predisposed to prostate cancer, while others are never diagnosed? Age, race, lifestyle, family history, where you live, and what you eat can be risk factors. Having one or more of the risk factors described on this page is not a guarantee that you will get prostate cancer, but it does mean your chances of developing prostate cancer are higher.
You May Like: How Severe Is Prostate Cancer
Bleeding After Prostate Surgery
Bleeding after prostate surgery is among the most common problems. To prevent the problem, a drain system is installed in the surgical area, and in addition to this system, some treatments are also performed to prevent bleeding. Although bleeding after prostate surgery is not a sign of important problems, you should definitely contact your physician if the condition has become chronic.
There is a number of risks that can occur after prostate surgery. These risks may include urination problems, urinary incontinence, bleeding, and sexual dysfunction. In this article, we will talk about the bleeding problem faced after prostate surgery.
Advantages Of Ralp Over Traditional Surgery Include:
- Small incisions
- Less blood loss than in traditional surgeries
- Less pain than an open incision surgery
- Less risk of infection over other kinds of surgery
- Shorter stay in the hospital
- Faster recovery at home
The magnification system provides your surgeon with a clear view of the tiny blood vessels, nerves, and muscles surrounding your prostate to help minimize side effects after your surgery.
Not every man who needs prostate removal surgery will be a candidate for robotic surgery. Each prostate cancer patients situation is unique, with some patients requiring a different surgical method either traditional open surgery or, less frequently, radical perineal prostatectomy.
If you have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are looking for a second opinion on treatment options before undergoing surgery, consult with one of the prostate cancer specialists at Compass Oncology located throughout the Portland-Vancouver area.
Recommended Reading: Can Enlarged Prostate Cause Uti
Surgery To Remove Your Prostate Gland
You might have surgery to remove your prostate gland if:
- your cancer hasn’t spread outside the prostate gland
- you are younger and have a fast growing tumour
- as part of treatment for locally advanced or high risk localised prostate cancer
The aim of a radical prostatectomy operation is to cure prostate cancer. It is major surgery with some possible side effects. If you’re an older man with a slow growing prostate cancer, this type of surgery may not be necessary for you. This is because your cancer might grow so slowly that you’re more likely to die of old age or other causes than from prostate cancer.
What Is Prostate Removal
A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure for the partial or complete removal of the prostate, which is a small gland about the size of a ping-pong ball, located deep inside the groin, between the base of the penis and the rectum in men. The prostate supplies part of the seminal fluid , which mixes with sperm from the testes. Sperm needs this fluid to travel and survive for reproduction.
Don’t Miss: Zytiga Medication For Prostate Cancer
Side Effects From Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, known as androgen deprivation therapy , suppresses production of testosterone. ADT can cause several side effects. These include fatigue, hot flashes, decreased bone density, ED, depressed mood, decreased sex drive, weight gain, heart risks, breast growth and cognitive decline.
The severity and length of side effects depend on how long treatment lasts. “If a man has only six months of treatment, their level of testosterone rises again, and they’ll go back to feeling like themselves,” Calvaresi said.
Often, mood changes in men on ADT are caused by other side effects such as weight gain and hot flashes. “If we can manage those other side effects, then often that improves mood,” she said. Following a healthy diet and exercising regularly often helps to decrease fatigue, prevent weight gain and improve overall mood. Before beginning hormone therapy, you should discuss the effects of ADT with your doctor, and talk about how you can change your exercise and eating habits to help head off side effects before they occur.
Fast Facts On Bph Surgery:
- Surgery is rarely the first line of treatment for BPH.
- A doctor who specializes in the urinary tract does most TURP surgeries.
- TURP is considered a fairly safe, effective procedure for treating BPH.
According to the American Urological Association, transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP is the most common type of surgery used to treat BPH. Every year, doctors perform it on around 150,000 American men.
Surgeons perform most TURP procedures when the patient is under general anesthesia and unconscious or asleep.
Alternatively, they use spinal anesthesia, where a needle is placed in the spine to stop any sensation below the waist.
You May Like: What Is A Prostate Massage
When To Call Your Doctor Or Nurse
Its important to tell your doctor or nurse if:
- your bladder feels full or your catheter isnt draining urine
- your catheter leaks or falls out
- your urine contains blood clots, turns cloudy, dark or red, or has a strong smell
- your wound area or the tip of your penis becomes red, swollen or painful
- you have a fever
- you feel sick or vomit
- you get cramps in your stomach area that will not go away
- you get pain or swelling in the muscles in your lower legs.
Your doctor or nurse will let you know if you should go to the hospital.
Side Effects From Radiation
Urinary symptoms from radiation treatment for prostate cancer are different from those caused by prostate surgery. “It’s more like a urinary tract infection-increased urgency and frequency, and men may some have bleeding or pain when they urinate,” Calvaresi said. These problems often go away once treatment is complete.
Radiation also may cause bowel changes, such as constipation, loose stools or both. These can be managed by over-the-counter medication. Men may also see some blood in their stool during treatment-if so, let your health care provider know about this.
Men undergoing radiation are likely to have ED, but not immediately. “It slowly sets in after radiation treatment,” Calvaresi said. Treatments for radiation-related ED are the same as ED caused by prostate cancer surgery.
Don’t Miss: How Does An Enlarged Prostate Cause Ed
Side Effects Of Prostate Surgery And Radiation: What You Need To Know
Prostate cancer treatment options include open or robotic radical prostatectomy, radiation with external beam radiation and/or brachytherapy, also known as radioactive seed implantation, and high intensity focused ultrasound, also called HIFU. Prostate surgery side effects and prostate radiation side effects, in addition to erectile dysfunction, include the following:
Transurethral Incision Of The Prostate
During a TUIP procedure, a surgeon will make several small incisions in your prostate instead of removing portions of your prostate. This gives your prostate room to expand without cutting off the flow of urine through your urethra.
TUIP is typically used to treat milder cases of enlarged prostate. Its possible your prostate will continue to grow and you will need additional treatments later. Following the surgery, you may need to wear a catheter for up to a week to help drain your bladder.
A TUIP procedure is much less invasive than a TURP procedure. Your recovery time should be less. Your doctor will likely send you home following the procedure.
Recommended Reading: Can Men Have Their Prostate Removed
How Will Prostate Surgery Affect My Sex Life
Experienced robotic surgeons like Dr. David Samadi dont open the endopelvic fascia during surgery, which spares the rick of damage to nerve bundles that control sexual function. The recovery of the function, however, is not immediate and you should not feel discouraged if weeks or even a few months after surgery you experience erectile dysfunction. It is not an indication of long-term damage.
One major change that you will notice in your sex life is the absence of sperm. Having no prostate, the body will not produce semen during the orgasm. The sperm cells will be simply reabsorbed by the body them. This is not harmful and you shouldnt be worried about it. Plenty of men deal with the problem with the help of medication that improves erectile dysfunction.
Frequent Urination And Urgency After Greenlight Laser
Frequent urination and urinary urgency after Greenlight laser often occur immediately after surgery. These symptoms should dissipate fairly soon, typically in the first 4-8 weeks. The persistent or worsening urinary frequency may indicate incomplete bladder emptying or underlying partial urinary retention. Persistent or worsening urinary symptoms may also indicate the presence of urethral stricture. In men who had a large median lobe these symptoms may be a result of irritability of the bladder trigone that can occur after surgery.
Don’t Miss: Nodules On Prostate Always Cancer
Will I Have Problems With Impotence After An Open Radical Prostatectomy
Men experience erectile dysfunction after all forms of radical prostatectomy because the nerves that allow for erections are bruised or otherwise damaged during removal of the prostate. Sometimes all or part of a nerve needs to be removed to get all the cancer out.
Most men wont experience erections for several months after surgery, even if both neurovascular bundles are preserved. This should improve gradually starting at around six months after surgery. It may take two full years after surgery to recover erections of a quality equal to those present before surgery.
Even without an erection after surgery, men can still experience an orgasm though no semen will be present. Its important to begin sexual activity as soon as urinary control has returned in order to maintain good blood flow to the penis. This helps prevent fibrosis that can make it more difficult to return to good erections.
There are therapies that are used to help restore erections, including:
- Drugs called PDE5 inhibitors .
- Injection therapy.
Read Real Stories Of Men Who Underwent Treatment Of Enlarged Prostate At New York Urology Specialists
We offer treatment for prostate problems, including slow urine stream, frequent urination at night, difficulty emptying the bladder, and other problems to patients within driving distance to our offices as well as from other states and countries. Our patients come from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and over 70 countries worldwide.
Read Also: C61 Malignant Neoplasm Of Prostate
Urinary Problems After Surgery
Leaking urine
Most men cant control their bladder properly when their catheter is first removed. This is because surgery can damage the muscles and nerves that control when you urinate.You might just leak a few drops if you exercise, cough or sneeze . Or you might leak more and need to wear absorbent pads, especially in the weeks after your surgery.Leaking urine usually improves with time. Most men start to see an improvement one to six months after surgery. Some men leak urine for a year or more and others never fully recover, but there are things that can help and ways you can manage it.
Difficulty urinating
A few men may find it difficult to urinate after surgery . This can be caused by scarring around the opening of the bladder or the urethra .Some men find they suddenly and painfully cant urinate. This is called acute urine retention and it needs treating quickly to prevent further problems. If this happens, call your doctor or nurse, or go to your nearest accident and emergency department.
Watch Pauls story for one mans experience of managing urinary problems after surgery below.
Sexual problems after surgery
Change in penis size and shape
Changes to orgasm
The seminal vesicles, which make some of the fluid in semen, are removed during surgery. This means you wont ejaculate any more. You may have a dry orgasm instead where you feel the sensation of orgasm but dont ejaculate. This may feel different to the orgasms youre used to.
Your Bph Surgery Options
Surgery, including both minimally invasive procedures and more traditional surgical treatments, generally yields a high rate of success. However, surgery is not a typical first-line treatment for BPH. Surgery is usually reserved for men who have moderate to severe BPH symptoms as well as men whose symptoms have not improved with medication.
Although fairly common and safe, each of the common surgeries for treating BPH come with potential side effects and complications. Most of these side effects are rare. Its nonetheless important to know all the potential outcomes before making a treatment decision. Its also important to be aware of the recovery expectations for BPH surgery.
Here are the most common BPH surgeries and the possible risks of each.
You May Like: Best Foods For Prostate Health
Prostate Biopsy Alternatives And Cancer Treatment Options
My Personal Experience with Trans-Rectal Ultrasound MRI Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy: A Guide of what to expect after your prostate biopsy.
Since 10 years ago, there is a lot more information on what to expect after your trans-rectal ultrasound prostate biopsy. Back then, many websites omitted some key side effects, such as blood in your ejaculate. Even some very reputable health and medical websites buried things like the possibility of serious infection or sepsis as a small bullet point. It turns out, this is a very real, increasingly likely and possibly fatal complication. Urinary infection or inability to urinate are also possible complications. Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are less common risks.
This new care sheet is pretty good based on my experiences. Here is another reasonable webpage more centered on the risks, except that you also may see traces of blood in your semen doesnt come remotely close to describing it for some men:
Im going to discuss my own, personal recovery experience following my second TRUS guided prostate biopsy, done under local anesthesia. It was pretty similar to my first one. If you are squeamish or dont like the TMI type of details, STOP READING NOW. The rest of this article is definitely Too Much Information unless you really want to know from first-hand experience.