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Robotic Prostate Surgery
Once your doctor gives green signal to go home after your robotic prostatectomy, it is time to adhere to some tips and instructions offered by the surgeon. These tips will help you with a speedy recovery.
Here are some tips you must follow:
Bathing after Surgery
It is suggested to have a bath only after 48 hours of removal of drain. In case, there is no drain, you may take shower day after you go home. Tub baths are prohibited until three weeks after surgery. Also make sure the catheter is out.
Travel after Prostate Surgery
Surgeons usually advice their patients to avoid driving for about 1-2 weeks after surgery. In case, you fly or ride a car, maintain your legs in an upward position during the trip. You must walk around every hour. This will prevent blood clots.
Sitting
Strictly avoid sitting with feet on the floor for long periods. You must practice sitting with your feet up. Robotic prostate surgeons recommend their patients to get up often and walk. Moving around is important for keeping blood flowing. It also helps prevent blood clots.
Sexual Activity
Patients can have sex only when they feel they are ready. The catheter should be out and incision completely healed. Make sure you have gained urinary control. Talking to your partner/spouse is about sexual function is important.
Urinary/Bladder Control
Some men are able to develop urinary control right after prostate surgery while others may take longer. As you train the bladder to hold urine once again, your control will get better. In most cases, men are able to gain this control within 2-3 months after surgery. Some may observe that their control gets better while they are lying down due to spreading of urine weight to the sides of bladder. It does not press urethra. Leakage is usually at its best in the evening. This is the time when muscles get exhausted. Men may also observe leakage while changing positions, exercising, carrying things, sneezing, laughing, coughing etc. The condition is also referred to as stress incontinence. Most doctors recommend their patients to stay dry and comfortable by wearing diapers or absorbent pads. In case, patients are unable to gain good control within one year, surgeon may suggest treatment.
Kegel Exercises
Two weeks post-surgery and after the catheter is out, it’s time for start Kegel exercises. These exerises can improve your urinary control. Start by tightening the muscles around bladder. These muscles are responsible for stopping urine flow. Now count to 3. Relax and Repeat.
Back to Work
You must stay away from work for at least 2-3 weeks. This will also depend on the type of work you wish to do.
Erection
It will start once nerves are stimulated. The process may result in more blood to flow to the penis which may cause swelling in it making it bigger and harder. The nerves run alongside the prostate gland. In many cases, the nerves can be saved once the prostate is removed. However, preserving nerves is not a guarantee for erection. Erections usually get better by around 2-3 years after surgery.
Ejaculation
Ejaculation is a process where fluid comes out of the penis during sex. Part of this fluid is seminal fluid. The prostate gland is responsible for making seminal fluid. Once the prostate is removed by robotic prostate surgery, the seminal fluid stops which means there is no fluid oozing out during sex. Patients may not be able to father a child post-surgery. However, the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is still there.