What to expect after prostate surgery

It's different for everyone for the most part. It depends on so many factors.
I would also say it depends on your access to a restroom.
If you work in an office with a restroom nearby, maybe three weeks would be fine. If you work on the road, or a delivery route, or maybe a teacher or something where breaks are more scheduled, maybe not so much.
I'd suggest just play it by ear, do the kegels. Maybe even now, before the surgery.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks!

I agree with @web265; it's different for everyone. I was 70 in June 2024 when I had NS RARP at Mayo Phoenix. Even though I was pretty much continent as soon as the catheter came out, it took a couple months to really build up confidence in the "new normal". It takes a while for your brain to figure out that things are a bit different. For example, the first time I tried to lift anything even kind of heavy I accidentally released a little urine. That's the kind of thing I mean about a "new normal". During that learning process I had a few unexpected minor accidents. I'm retired, but if I'd been trying to work I'd definitely wore pads while I was figuring out the new normal. At 5 months, I feel pretty much back to normal. I did kegals before surgery and resumed them after the catheter came out when my doctor said I could start them again. I don't know for sure, but I do believe they helped me. Also, I think I've just been lucky in the continence department. Best wishes.

Hi
I am 75 and had a full prostatectomy at 72. I was incontinent for a year, tried diligently working on kegals the help of a therapist, but still could not stay dry and had to use at least two briefs every 24 hours. I went back to my urologist surgeon who suggested an artificial sphincter and I have been very happy with the results. I had never heard of it before but now barely use a small pad in my briefs every 24 hours. You can look up what sort of device this is. but all I notice is a third testical that I have to squeeze before urinating. That action sends fluid from the sphincter to a reservoir for long enough to urinate and then it returns to close the urethra again helping me to stay dry. You need to be wary because I have squeezed it by mistake on a stationary bicycle and the corner of a chair. So far my PSA has stayed below .04 and I am otherwise living normally. Best of luck.

I was at work four days after surgery. I was a computer consultant so I just had to sit at somebody’s computer and do a few things. Didn’t do any lifting for about a week. After 3 weeks you should be fine.

After the catheter was removed, I had no incontinence problems. Some people do. Get some Depends pads for your underwear, Can’t wear loose underwear with pads. You probably wont leak too much, Don’t worry about the smell, not enough urine to create a problem for most people with pads. Bring extra pads so you can change them if they fill up during the day.

Just to underscore the fact that it's different for everyone, here's me.

- 6 weeks off work
- Unable to do Kegel excercises at all, despite 5 hours of help from a PT trained to help prostatectomy patients - both before & after surgery
- 3 months post-op & I'm going through 7 pads a day & leaking up to 500ml per day (the average after 3 months is 100ml)
- Back to the surgeon on Wednesday to be told off (again) for not being able to move my pelvic floor

So what to expect post-op?
How long is a piece or string?
Good luck & I hope you're one of the lucky ones.

"I was at work four days after surgery."
Nice to meet you, Chuck Norris.

I was 62, recover is quicker when younger.

It was a lot easier the 5th day.

I'm 60.
You still win.

My 2 cents...take as much time off as your surgeon will authorize, usually 6 weeks, no matter how good you feel. There is unseen healing happening in the surgical bed, sapping your body's resources. This is the time to maximize recovery, not be a hero. It will serve you well down the road.