Prostate resection - minimally invasive - discharge

You had minimally invasive prostate resection surgery to remove part of your prostate gland because it was enlarged. This article tells you what you need to know to take care of yourself as you recover from the procedure.

When You're in the Hospital

Your procedure was done in your health care provider's office or at an outpatient surgery clinic. You may have stayed in the hospital for a night.

What to Expect at Home

You can do most of your normal activities within a few weeks. You may go home with a urine catheter. Your urine may be bloody at first, but this will go away. You may have bladder pain or spasms for the first 1 to 2 weeks.

Self-care

Drink plenty of water to help flush fluids through your bladder (8 to 10 glasses a day). Avoid coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol. They can irritate your bladder and urethra, the tube that brings urine from your bladder out of your body.

Eat a normal, healthy diet with plenty of fiber. You may get constipation from pain medicines and being less active. You can use a stool softener or fiber supplement to help prevent this problem.

For the first few weeks after surgery, take only the medicines your provider has told you to take.

• You may need to take antibiotics to help prevent infection.
• Check with your surgeon before taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Aleve, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or any other drugs like these.

You may take showers. But avoid baths if you have a catheter. You can take baths once your catheter is removed. Make sure your provider clears you for baths to make sure your incisions are healing well.

You will need to make sure your catheter is working properly. You will also need to know how to empty and clean the tube and the area where it attaches to your body. This can prevent infection or skin irritation.

After your catheter is removed:

• You may have some urine leakage (incontinence). This should get better over time. You should have close-to-normal bladder control within a month.
• You will learn exercises that strengthen the muscles in your pelvis. These are called Kegel exercises. You can do these exercises any time you are sitting or lying down.

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You will return to your normal routine over time. You should not do any strenuous activity, chores, or lifting (more than 5 pounds or more than 2 kilograms) for at least 1 week. You can return to work when you have recovered and are able to do most activities.

• Do not drive until you are no longer taking pain medicines and your doctor says it is OK. Do not drive while you have a catheter in place. Avoid long car rides until your catheter is removed.
• Avoid sexual activity for 3 to 4 weeks or until the catheter comes out.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if:

• It is hard to breathe
• You have a cough that does not go away
• You cannot drink or eat
• Your temperature is above 100.5°F (38°C)
• Your urine contains a thick, yellow, green, or milky drainage
• You have signs of infection (a burning sensation when you urinate, fever, or chills)
• Your urine stream is not as strong, or you cannot pass any urine at all
• You have pain, redness, or swelling in your legs

While you have a urinary catheter, call your provider if:

• You have pain near the catheter
• You are leaking urine
• You notice more blood in your urine
• Your catheter seems blocked
• You notice grit or stones in your urine
• Your urine smells bad, it is cloudy, or has a different color