Prostate Surgery

Prostate surgery is a way doctors help fix problems with the prostate. The prostate can have issues like cancer, it can get too big (this is called BPH), or it might get swollen (called prostatitis). The kind of surgery depends on what the problem is.

If you are reading this, use tools like text-to-speech to help understand better. Also, talk to someone you trust if you have questions.

The main types of surgery for the prostate are:

• Radical prostatectomy: Doctors remove the whole prostate.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): Doctors take out parts of the prostate.
• Laser surgery: Doctors use a laser to help with the prostate.
• Minimally invasive robotic surgery: Doctors use small tools and robots to do the surgery.

Using pictures or videos might help you understand better. You can also ask someone to explain things to you in simple words.

Men who might need prostate surgery usually have a few reasons:

• They have big problems with BPH (a prostate issue that makes it hard to pee).
• They have prostate cancer that hasn't spread to other parts of the body.
• They have prostatitis (a sore prostate) that doesn't get better with normal treatments.

It's very important for a doctor to check them carefully.

Reading Tip: Using a ruler or a piece of paper to follow the lines can help. Listening to the text or having someone read it aloud can also make it easier to understand.

There can be some problems, like getting an infection or bleeding. You might have trouble peeing or problems with erections. Anesthesia can also cause problems. Your doctor will talk to you about all these things before the operation.

To get ready, you might need to do some blood tests and get pictures taken of your body. You might also have to stop taking some medicine and not eat for a little while before. Your doctors will tell you exactly what you need to do. If you need help, ask someone to go over the steps with you or use a reminder app to keep track of what you need to do.

How long it takes to get better after surgery can be different for everyone. It depends on the kind of surgery. Usually, it can take a few days or a few weeks.

If the doctor only makes a small cut, you might get better faster than if they make a big cut.

Here are some helpful tips to feel better faster:

• Rest a lot.
• Follow the doctor’s advice.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Use pillows to get comfy when you sit or lie down.

Yes, most people will need to stay in the hospital for a little while after prostate surgery. How long you stay depends on the type of surgery and how you are healing.

After surgery, doctors usually tell people not to do hard exercise for a few weeks. You can start doing easy activities a few days after the surgery. Make sure to listen to your doctor’s advice about what you can do.

It is normal to feel sore after an operation. But don't worry, doctors will give you medicine to help with the pain while you are getting better.

Prostate surgery can affect how you have sex. It can make it harder to get an erection. How much it changes things can be different for each person and depends on the type of surgery. Talk to your doctor about what might happen.

After treatment, you need to visit the doctor regularly. The doctor will check your blood to look at PSA levels, which tell them about your prostate health. They will also check to make sure your prostate problems don’t come back.

There are other ways to help besides surgery. These ways are:

• Taking medicine.
• Using radiation therapy. This is a special kind of energy that helps the body.
• Getting hormone therapy. Hormones are chemicals in your body.
• Watchful waiting. This means the doctor will check you often but not do anything right away.
• Active surveillance. This is when doctors keep a close eye on you to see if things change.

The best choice depends on the prostate problem and the person’s needs.

It might help to use pictures or apps to better understand these words. You can also ask someone to read this with you.

After prostate surgery, most people will need a tube called a catheter. This tube helps empty the bladder while it is getting better. How long a person needs the tube depends on the kind of surgery and how they heal.

When picking the best surgeon, think about these things:

• How much practice the surgeon has had.
• How many times they have done the same type of surgery.
• What other patients say about the surgeon.
• Talk to the surgeon and ask questions.

Your family doctor can also suggest a good surgeon for you.

To make reading or understanding easier, using tools like a voice reader or having someone read aloud can help. Drawing or using pictures can also make things clearer.

Prostate surgery is a way to treat prostate cancer. If doctors find the cancer early and it has not spread, this surgery can sometimes cure it. This type of surgery is called a radical prostatectomy.

How well the surgery works can be different for each person. It is important to talk to your doctor about what to expect.