Most men recover well after a procedure for an enlarged prostate, and many notice a stronger flow within days. The first few weeks are still a time of healing. Knowing what is normal, what helps and what needs attention makes recovery smoother and less worrying.
In hospital
Depending on the procedure, you may wake up with a catheter draining urine from the bladder. After TURP or laser surgery, fluid is often washed through the catheter to clear blood. The nurses will check your urine colour and help you get up and moving.
The catheter is usually removed after one to three days. Before you go home, the team will check that you can pass urine well and empty your bladder.
If you go home with a catheter
Some men go home with a catheter for a short time. Simple care helps:
- keep the bag below the level of your bladder
- wash around the catheter daily with mild soap and water
- empty the leg bag when it is about two-thirds full
- use a larger night bag while sleeping
- secure the tubing to avoid pulling
What is normal in the first weeks
It is common to notice:
- Blood in the urine: on and off for several weeks. A temporary increase around ten to fourteen days after surgery is common as scabs come away.
- Burning or stinging: when passing urine, usually settling within a few weeks.
- Urgency and frequency: the bladder takes time to settle after years of working against a blockage.
- Small leaks: particularly when coughing or lifting, usually improving steadily.
Drink well
Aim for around two litres of fluid a day, mostly water, unless you have been told otherwise. This helps keep urine pale and flush out blood and debris. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder. Our guide to lifestyle changes for prostate symptoms has more tips.
Avoid constipation
Straining can cause bleeding. Eat plenty of fibre, drink well and take a mild laxative if needed.
Activity
Gentle walking from the first day helps recovery, reduces the risk of blood clots and helps the bowels work normally. Build up the distance a little each day. For the first few weeks, avoid:
- heavy lifting, such as shopping bags or gardening
- strenuous exercise
- cycling
- sex, usually for two to four weeks
Most men return to desk-based work after one to three weeks, depending on the procedure. Check with your surgeon about driving, and do not drive while you have a catheter in place.
Pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic floor exercises help with leaks and urgency. Gently squeeze the muscles you would use to stop passing wind, hold for a few seconds and relax. Repeat several times a day. Bladder and Bowel UK has clear instructions.
Warning signs to report
Contact your surgical team or seek urgent help if you have:
- heavy bleeding or passing clots
- being unable to pass urine
- a fever, shivering or feeling very unwell
- severe pain that does not settle with painkillers
- a catheter that stops draining
The NHS guide to an enlarged prostate includes advice on recovery.
Longer-term results
Flow usually improves quickly, but urgency and frequency can take several weeks or months to settle fully. A follow-up appointment will check your progress, often with a flow test and bladder scan to confirm that the bladder is emptying well. Recovery after Aquablation therapy and iTind has its own specific advice, and your team will guide you. Our page on benign prostatic enlargement explains each procedure.
Professor Prokar Dasgupta provides follow-up care after enlarged prostate procedures at The London Clinic. Please contact the clinic with any questions.