A robotic radical prostatectomy is an operation to remove the prostate gland and tissues surrounding it. This usually includes the seminal vesicles and some nearby lymph nodes. A radical prostatectomy is performed to manage prostate cancer in men whose cancer is limited to the prostate.
You will meet: members of the surgery team, anesthesia, and nursing.
Your family and friends: Will be updated throughout the surgery.
Discharge: The majority of patients will leave the hospital the next day.
Requirements to leave the hospital:
-Tolerating a solid diet
-Ability to walk and move without difficulty
-You DO NOT need to pass gas or have a bowel movement to be discharged
If you are traveling by car, take breaks every 60-90 minutes and walk around the car to prevent the blood from pooling in the legs. An accompanied driver is reccommended.
You may shower after leaving the hospital. The water will not harm the incision or the catheter. Pat the incision dry. NO BATHING IN POOLS, BATHS OR JACUZZI for 4 weeks.
It is important to stay hydrated. Your bowels will be less active than usual so eat about half of what you normally would eat in smaller meals unitl your bowel movements are back to normal. Maintain a high fiber diet to avoid constipation. Moderate alcohol and caffeine is acceptable.
No lifting over 10 LBS for 4 weeks.
If you are discharged home with your drain, empty the drain into the toilet when it becomes full and keep a record of the volume of fluid collected every 24 hrs. If your drain was removed at the hopital , a gauze dressing is applied over the drain site and it will continue to become saturated until healed in 3-7 days.
This could be a sign of a clot in the deep vein or leg and occurs in 1-2% of patients. If you develop any of these symptoms or pain in your leg, call the office or visit the ER.
A tempertaure up to 100.4 is normal. Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed. If your fever is not controlled by medication, please call or go to the ER.
If you take aspirin or a blood thinner known as an anticoagulant you should discontinue these prior to surgery (3-5 days). You can resume taking immediately after surgery if given the okay by your surgeon.
You can work from home after discharge. Most patients can do at home “office” activities around 2-4 weeks. If you do strenuous work (e.g., heavy lifting) you should wait 4-8 weeks from the date of surgery to return. If you travel for business, wait 4 weeks before returning to a busy travel schedule.
It is possible that your catheter has become obstructed or dislodged. Lie down flat and drink a lot of water. If after 1 hour there is no urine coming through the catheter tubing, gently irrigate the catheter. If there is no urine still, go to the ER.
This is very common, especially when you are up and walking around. As long as your catheter continues to drain, wearing a pad or diaper can help keep you dry.
This is very common because the spermatic cord is stretched during the operation. This discomfort will disappear with time but can last up to 3-6 months after surgery.
This is fluid or blood that has not been absorbed by the body. It is not harmful. Put a rolled hand towel underneath the scrotum to elevate it when lying down.
