Early walking is the key for fast recovery and return to bowel activity. It also improves blood circulation in the legs and prevents clot formation. The best way to a speedy recovery is to start walking the hallways on the day after surgery.
Most people regain control in the weeks after we remove the catheter. The vast majority of men who had normal urinary control before the procedure achieve it again within 3 to 18 months after the surgery.
Weakness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and feeling flushed are some feelings associated with doing too much. You will notice that you will tire sooner with less exercise than before. You may also feel some discomfort, warmth, or stretch down in the pelvic area.
It takes a few weeks for you to recover after your operation. You will need to spend a few days in the hospital and then give yourself time to recover once you are home. Most people can go back to normal activities between 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
One month after surgery : Doctors recommend no strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least one month after surgery. Most people take off work for three to four weeks. If you work from home, you could return to work sooner.
Walking with the day bag catheter is not a problem. Removal of the catheter is usually done in the doctor's office after the prescribed timeframe (usually 1-2 weeks) and is relatively pain-free.
“Frequent urination is normal after a radical prostatectomy,” Dr. Catalona said. “The main cause is that the bladder wall is swollen and thickened and irritable. Normally, the bladder wall is thin and very elastic and maintains a low pressure until it has stored 8 to 10 ounces of urine.
Drinking plenty of water while you're recovering may help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) and can help clear any blood from your pee. You may also be advised to do some pelvic floor exercises to help improve your bladder control.
You may have pain or discomfort in your belly or the area between your scrotum and anus for 2 to 3 weeks. You will go home with a catheter (tube) to drain urine from your bladder.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and take stool softeners to prevent constipation. Do not strain during bowel movements. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or other similar medicines for 2 weeks after your surgery.
Incontinence typically occurs after a prostatectomy because one of the valves that control urine flow is removed along with the prostate. Loss of this valve, along with possible nerve or muscle damage, may lead to incontinence.
Radical prostatectomy can damage the nerves you need to get an erection. Nerve sparing surgery can help lower this risk. But not everyone is suitable for this type of surgery. Nerve sparing surgery means that your surgeon removes the cancer without cutting or damaging the nerves.
You can shower any time after surgery, but do not take a bath until after the urine catheter is removed. Leave the bandages on the skin incisions for three to four days. When you leave the shower, be careful to pat, not rub, the incision area dry.
Limit caffeine and alcohol as these may stimulate the urge to urinate. Eat a low-fat diet. Eat a large variety of vegetables each day. Eat a few servings of fruit daily, and be sure to include citrus fruits.
You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to). You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery.
Avoid drinking fluids containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cola. Caffeine may irritate your bladder. When you are home continue drinking extra fluids until your urine is clear. This may take up to 4 weeks.
you might have trouble pooping or emptying your bowels (constipation). This is usually caused by the painkillers you're taking or being dehydrated, and should resolve within a few weeks. If it continues long term (which is rare) or becomes uncomfortable, you might need to take some medicines to help.
You'll have a catheter (a hollow tube) coming out of the urethra for two to three days. After this, the catheter is removed and just about everyone is able to void on their own. In rare cases, the catheter may have to be reinserted for a few days or up to a week if you cannot urinate.
For most men, urinary incontinence will go away within about 1 year. Performing pelvic floor exercises, also known as kegels, which help strengthen the muscles that are located in the base of the pelvis between the pubic bone may help to speed the recovery process along.
If you have not had a bowel movement for 24-48 hours after surgery, try using MOM (Milk of Magnesia) 1-2 tbsp every 6 hours as needed. If this ineffective, you may try 2 Dulcolax tabs or ½-1 bottle of magnesium citrate (both over the counter). A bowel movement every other day is reasonable.
Medications like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis) and others can often help to improve your sexual performance after prostate removal. When these aren't effective, other treatments, such as injectable medications or penile prosthesis, may help you to enjoy a healthy sex life.
After surgery for prostate cancer
You can expect to return to your usual activities within about six weeks of the surgery. Usually you can start driving again in a couple of weeks, but heavy lifting should be avoided for six weeks.
While there is no definite age at which male ejaculation ceases, it has been suggested that it may happen when a man reaches his late 40s or early 50s. It is important to note, however, that this is not a universal rule and some men may continue to ejaculate at a later age.