Post Prostate Cancer Surgery Expectations
Posted on: 18 December 2017
There are incomparable issues and concerns related to prostate surgery, that are not present with most other surgical procedures. The reason for this is that the prostate is connected to two extremely important body functions: the ability to urinate and erectile dysfunction.
Even though the risk of complications linked to urinary and sexual function has dramatically decreased over the years, there are still issues associated with this, and they both need to be carefully monitored after surgery.
Affirmable Complications of Prostate Surgery
As well as the general risks involved with surgery and anaesthesia, men undergoing prostate surgery can experience certain complications. These can vary depending on the amount of prostate gland that is removed, and the method used in which to remove the prostate tissue.
Some of the common complications can include:
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bleeding
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incontinence
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difficulty urinating
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impotence
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erectile dysfunction
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change in penis size
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TURP syndrome (decreased sodium levels)
Post-Operative Care
Following prostate surgery, it is normal to experience some blood loss or have small clots in the urine for the first few days. A catheter will stay in place until such time as your surgeon believes it can be removed. This is generally only for 24 hours after surgery to shrink the prostate and up to two weeks after the removal of prostate tissue.
Full activity can generally be resumed within four weeks after surgery. The recovery for outpatient procedures is quicker, which means full activity can be resumed after one week.
If incisions have been made during the procedure, a good incision care plan should be followed to aid recovery. It is imperative that infection is prevented which will help to reduce any scars that may be present as well as decreasing any risk of complications during the following weeks.
Complications With Following Prostate Surgery
One of the most common issues after prostate surgery is incontinence, and this typically occurs once the catheter has been removed.
Incontinence comes in different types. Stress incontinence occurs when there is an increased pressure on the bladder. Sneezing, coughing, or lifting heavy objects can all add to stress on the bladder. Urge incontinence occurs when the urge to urinate is followed by urination. Mixed incontinence is when both urge and stress incontinence is experienced.
Urine leakage can be embarrassing and distressing for any man, and even though it may be experienced by most men after surgery, it is a condition that generally improves after the first month. The percentage of men who will require incontinence pads after a year is very small.
Erectile Dysfunction After Prostate Surgery
The risk of impotence and erectile dysfunction are major concerns following prostate surgery. This is most possibly the main reason why so many men are fearful of the procedure.
There are numerous factors that ascertain the possibility of impotence in a man following prostate surgery. These include the sexual function before the procedure, along with the type of procedure carried out. Different procedures can result in different outcomes.
Having the right surgeon carry out the best procedure possible will give the best opportunity for sexual function.
If erectile dysfunction is experienced after surgery, it is important to be open and discuss this with your partner the maintain a sexual relationship. Even though intercourse is of importance in any relationship, there are numerous ways in which sexual pleasure can be achieved for both parties. Intimacy can be carried out, but may require a little more patience and effort than it did before surgery.
Therefore, even though incontinence and erectile dysfunction are common after prostate surgery, the good news is that they can both improve over time.
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