What Patients Wish They Knew Before Having Prostate Surgery
Many men are faced with the decision of whether or not to undergo prostate surgery.
The procedure can be a great way to relieve some of the symptoms that come from an enlarged prostate, but it is not without its risks.
In this blog post, we will go over what patients wish they knew before undergoing a prostatectomy-removal of the prostate gland and part of the seminal vesicles if necessary–so they could make an informed decision about their treatment options.
Disclaimer:
This article is written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information should not be construed as offering medical opinions. Any of the recommended treatments presented here may cause side effects and complications of varying severity; therefore one must always consult a medical professional before administering any treatment.
What Patients Wish They Knew Before Having Prostate Surgery
Risks of Prostate Surgery.
Although prostate surgery is a common treatment option for prostate enlargement, it does come with some risks and side effects. Possible short-term and long-term risks include:
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Weak stream or straining to start a stream
- Inability to urinate standing up or at all
- Dribbling or leaking of urine
- Hematuria – Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infections
- Impotence – inability to have an erection firm enough for intercourse
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the penis (rare)
- Loss of fertility
How do I prepare for prostate surgery?
It is vitally important that patients learn as much about the procedure before they have it. This way, you know what to expect during and after your treatment. Before undergoing any type of surgery, you should familiarize yourself with the risks so that you are able to make an informed decision.
What are my treatment options if I don’t want surgery?
There are numerous treatment options for prostate enlargement, and you should discuss these options with your doctor so that they can be assessed and weighed against the surgical treatment.
Treatment options include:
Medication – such as alpha-blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to help shrink the prostate gland and improve symptoms. (1) (2)
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Infrared laser therapy – a non-surgical treatment option that uses targeted laser beams to destroy the obstruction in the prostate gland (3)
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) – a non-surgical treatment option that uses low-intensity energy waves during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to sever and remove obstructive veins in the prostate gland (4)
If surgery is necessary, what can I expect during my recovery?
It takes time to recover from any surgery, but the recovery process is different for everyone. Although you are given medications to help with pain after your surgery, it’s important that you communicate the amount of pain you are experiencing to your doctor so they can prescribe more medication. It may take several days or weeks for you to notice an improvement in the symptoms of your enlargement.
While you are recovering, it is important that you:
Take things slow and steady – Surgeons advise against lifting weights or having sex for at least four weeks after surgery.
Decrease stress – Stress can increase your risk of infection and other complications.
Rest properly with the help of supportive devices – To avoid additional stress on your body, use supportive canes or crutches for extra support.
Follow your doctor’s advice – It is especially important to follow these instructions when it comes to any type of surgery because proper post-surgical care is essential for a complete recovery.
Watch out for what you eat – When you eat is just as important as what you eat when it comes to recovering from surgery. Avoid eating any food that causes gas or bloating because it can cause your incision site to open up, which in turn increases your risk of infection.
Speak with your doctor before starting any type of exercise regime – If you are trying to recover from surgery, avoid any exercise that causes you to stress or uses more energy than you can handle.
See a physician if any of the following occurs:
- Any type of swelling (If your incision site is swelling more than it should be, call your surgeon immediately).
- Any type of discharge from your penis (If there is any discharge from your penis, or if it’s any type of color other than clear, see your doctor immediately).
- The inability to urinate (If you are unable to urinate, call your doctor immediately).
- Any kind of pain that doesn’t go away after four weeks.
“Prostate surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in the US, but fewer than 20 percent of men are informed that selecting a surgeon based on training can mean the difference between excellent outcomes and impaired quality of life. And less than half are told that having surgery performed by an experienced team is important.”
A new study discovers that prostate surgery patients who choose surgeons with the most experience and choose teams with the most experience may be less likely to suffer from long-term adverse events. “The findings suggest that for this procedure, expertise does matter,” said co-author Brian L. Sturdevant, MD, BWH Department of Surgery.
“If you are having this surgery, it’s important to gain the perspective of your surgeon and ask them about their experience.”
Why is it important to get a second opinion before prostate surgery?
It’s critical for patients who may be considering prostate surgery to talk with several urologists and get a second opinion from another specialist. This way, you can compare your treatment options and ask questions regarding the procedures that will affect your daily life after the surgery.
What are the common questions to ask my doctor before undergoing this procedure?
The following list consists of some important questions that you should discuss with your doctor before getting any type of surgery. If you have already scheduled your surgery, it is always a good idea to go into the appointment with questions prepared in advance.
1. What side effects can I expect from my surgery?
2. How long should the recovery time be and what will I need to do after surgery (pain management, etc.)?
3. Will there be any long-term effects from having this surgery?
4. What type of tools/equipment will be used for my procedure?
5. In what ways can I increase the likelihood of a successful recovery after surgery?
6. If something goes wrong during or after my surgery, what are some things that could cause it to go wrong?
7. What are some potential complications that could occur during or after the surgery?
8. Who will be in the operating room with me during my surgery and what is their level of experience/expertise?
9. Will I have local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia for this procedure?
10. What are some possible side effects of anesthesia?
11. Will I need to stay in the hospital after my surgery and for how long? What kind of follow-up visits will I have after this procedure?
12. Is there anything else that you want to tell me about having this type of surgery or the recovery process?
13. What are some things that I can do to decrease the likelihood of having complications after surgery?
15. Is it possible that any type of infection could occur after this procedure, and if so, what kinds of infections should I be concerned about?
14. How will you handle any problems or complications that could occur during the surgery?
15. Are there any special instructions that I need to follow after my surgery?
16. Are there any specific precautions or restrictions I should be aware of before the surgery?
17. Will I need to take any medications or supplements before or after my surgery (pain management, anti-inflammatory drugs)?
18. What kind of activities can I return to and which ones should I avoid?
These are just a few of the most common questions that need to be asked before undergoing any type of surgery.
It’s important to have a thorough discussion with your doctor about the procedure in order to get them answered.
If you are not comfortable with how your doctor answers any questions or if they seem evasive, don’t be afraid to seek out another opinion or information elsewhere.
Bottom Line
Surgery is a big step to take and it’s important to know all of the facts about your options. In some cases, you may want to consider getting a second opinion from another specialist in order to get more information on the procedure that you might have.
In addition, there are also some things that you can do before surgery to prepare yourself and increase the chances of a successful recovery. If you take these steps such as eating a clean diet, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest beforehand, it can put you in a better position to bounce back faster after surgery.
By following these tips and talking with your doctor about all of your concerns before surgery occurs, there is a better chance that you will have the best outcome possible.
Thank You For Reading This Article!
I hope that this article was informational and helped answer many of your questions. Please feel free to leave me any comments or feedback below.
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