Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

Before Your Procedure:

MEDICATION:

You should avoid aspirin, aspirin containing compounds, blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications for 10 days prior to the procedure. A list will be provided. You may take plain Tylenol or a generic equivalent during this time for aches and pains. If you have questions, please call your doctor.

EXPECTATIONS:

• You can expect to arrive at the hospital 1-1/2 hours before your scheduled start of the procedure; this time is allowed for checking of paperwork, evaluating your vital signs, interview with the anesthesiologist and preoperative preparation.

• The surgery will take approximately three hours, with a stay of 1-2 hours in the Recovery Room. From there you will be transferred to an inpatient floor. For your relatives, the waiting time during which they will not be able to see you averages about six hours.

• You will be in the hospital for approximately 3 days, depending upon the speed of your recovery. The first day after your surgery you will be expected to walk up and down the hallways with little assistance and you will begin drinking fluids. By the morning of the third day, your IV will be out and you will be ready to recover at home.

• You can expect when you go home that:
  • You may still need pain pills.
  • Your appetite will not be as good.
  • You will not be as nimble.
  • You will go home with staples in your incision and a catheter in your bladder and possibly a small drain exiting the skin near the incision.
  • Your pathology results may not be yet available, but will be discussed with you at the first postoperative visit.
  • You may not yet have had a bowel movement.
  • You will be instructed to begin Kegel exercises described below.

After Your Procedure:

DIET:

You may eat as you please. You will need plenty of calories to heal your surgery area. Moderate intake of alcohol or caffeine is permitted.

ACTIVITY:

You may walk as desired and go up and down stairs. You should avoid strenuous physical activity or lifting more than 10-15 pounds for the first two months after the surgery. You may return to work in as soon as four weeks.

BATHING/SHOWERING:

Showers are permitted. Bathing should be avoided until your catheter is removed.

DRIVING:

No driving a car for 3-4 weeks. You may be driven on short trips during this time.

BOWELS:

You may not have a bowel movement for several days after the procedure. Use a laxative if necessary, but avoid the use of enemas.

CATHETER CARE:

The catheter needs to be connected to a drainage bag to allow continuous drainage. When the bag is full, hold the bag over the toilet, open the spigot at the bottom and allow the urine to drain.

FOLLOW-UP:

You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment. If not already done, the results of the pathologic examination of the specimen will be discussed with you at this time. Your catheter will be removed approximately two weeks from the date of your surgery. You should bring an incontinence pad with you at that time. You will need to practice your Kegel exercises in earnest to gain adequate control.

KEGEL EXERCISES:

To perform a Kegel exercise, you should attempt to squeeze your buttocks tightly, as if to hold back an imminent bowel movement. Alternatively, you urinate and stop yourself midstream; the muscles used during these maneuvers are the ones to work on. You should do the exercises as often as possible.

PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD REPORT:

• Fever of greater than 102°F
• Catheter problems (no urine through the catheter, urinating excessively around the catheter, or blood in the urine)
• Vomiting, nausea, and/or lack of bowel movements
• Drug reactions (rash, hives, and/or swelling)
• Any questions or concerns, please call your physician.