Knowing what recovery after prostate cancer surgery involves helps you prepare, both practically and emotionally. Every man heals at his own pace, yet the weeks after a robotic radical prostatectomy usually follow a fairly predictable pattern. This guide focuses on the practical side of life at home, so you can plan ahead and recognise when to ask for help.
Preparing your home before surgery
Good recovery after prostate cancer surgery often starts before you go into hospital. It helps to stock up on loose, comfortable clothing, continence pads and easy meals for the first week. If you live alone, arrange for someone to help with shopping and lifting for a few weeks.
Pelvic floor exercises should also begin before the operation. Learning the technique in advance makes it far easier to continue once the catheter is removed. The prostate cancer page explains the wider treatment process.
The first few days
Most men stay in hospital for one or two nights after robotic surgery. You will be encouraged to get up and walk soon after the operation, as this reduces the risk of blood clots and helps your bowels recover. Some discomfort around the small wounds and shoulder tip pain from the gas used during keyhole surgery are common and usually settle quickly.
You go home with a urinary catheter, which normally stays in for one to two weeks. The nursing team will show you how to empty the bag, switch to a night bag and keep the area clean.
Managing at home with a catheter
Living with a catheter takes some getting used to. Drink plenty of fluids, keep the bag below bladder level and secure the tube to your leg to avoid pulling. Showering is usually fine, although baths are best avoided until your team says otherwise.
Once the catheter is removed, some leakage is normal. This is when pelvic floor exercises really matter. Most men notice steady improvement over the first three to six months, though progress varies from person to person.
Returning to activity and work
Recovery after prostate cancer surgery generally allows light activity, such as short walks and gentle household tasks, within two to three weeks. Most men return to desk-based work and normal routines within four to six weeks. Men with physically demanding jobs may need longer, so discuss your role with your surgeon early.
Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and cycling for about six weeks. Driving is usually possible once the catheter is out and you can perform an emergency stop comfortably, but check with your insurer too.
Sexual function after nerve-sparing surgery
Where nerve-sparing technique was used, recovery of erections takes longer than recovery of continence. For some men it takes twelve to eighteen months or more, and medication or specialist rehabilitation can help. Our article on regaining erectile function covers this in more depth.
When to contact your surgical team
During recovery after prostate cancer surgery, contact your team promptly rather than waiting for your next appointment if you notice:
- a high temperature, chills or redness and swelling around a wound
- pain that is getting worse rather than better
- heavy bleeding or large clots in the urine
- a catheter that stops draining
- calf pain, swelling or sudden breathlessness
These problems are uncommon, but early advice makes them easier to manage. The NHS guidance on prostate cancer treatment gives further general information.
Emotional wellbeing and support
Physical healing is only part of the picture. Many men feel tired, low or frustrated during the first weeks, especially while continence is improving. Talking to a partner, a specialist nurse or others who have been through the same operation can help. Charities such as Prostate Cancer UK run support services and a specialist nurse helpline.
Long-term follow-up
Your PSA is checked regularly after surgery to confirm that it stays undetectable. Tests are usually every three months at first, then less often as time passes without concern. Our guide to robotic prostatectomy explains the operation itself, and the patient journey article sets out every stage of care.
If you have questions about your own recovery, please contact the clinic to speak with the team.