7 weeks after Prostatectomy and still waking up a lot to pee.

Thanks retireditguy,

I think this is similar to me where I worry so much about an accident, not only at night but also during the day if we’re going out and about doing errands etc. Hopefully I follow a similar path to you and it just goes away naturally over time.

Thanks Again,

Have a Great Day.

There is a wide differentiation about incontinence after RP. Many people find that waiting seven or eight weeks at least can make a difference. You might be able to go to a physical therapist that specializes in incontinence. A few sessions showing you how to do keagles the ideal way could really help once you get past the first few weeks of healing.

Thanks Jeff- You are amazing and an inspiration to me and I am sure others. I wish you nothing but the best in your health recovery. God bless you my Mayo Clinic Connect Friend.

I messaged my surgeon several weeks later about the same concern. He mentioned that it’s quite normal for a few months but improves. So far I would agree with him a saw improvement around 3 months. My surgery was February 20, 2024. Wishing the best with your recovery and future health.

Hi guy (albcan),
Your condition sounds quite normal. All the advice here rings true to me. I'm 12 weeks post prostatectomy. I wear protection day and night, full underwear type at night. But, I have to say that the dribble is less than expected and unexpected discharge is not so often (maybe a drop or two with a fart). That is to say, it definitely gets better. Still, I have the 3-times-a-night get-up but with less liquid to pass. I had thought my bladder had shrunk or that the reattachment used up some of the capacity. But as mentioned here, it takes time to get used to the fact that urgency doesn't equate to a full bladder. I'll try to hold out a bit longer each time I have to pee.

The same happened to me. The strange thing is that I RARELY had to get up in the night to pee before the surgery. I was VERY surprised at having to get up two, three, or four times during the night after the surgery.

Gradually, after about three months, the urge got less during the night. After six months, I’m back to pre-surgery norms: I only have to get up to pee if I drink anything after 7pm.

Hang I there!

I am almost eight weeks from my prostatectomy with very little progress on my incontinence. I have been going to physical therapy to work on Kegels and do them every day as well as my normal exercises. But the flows come out of nowhere when I just stand or walk. I can stop the flow while standing over the toilet, but when I think I'm done, I walk away and start flowing again. It's not like I just feel the urge where I have a chance to contract my pelvic floor. The urine just leaks out before I can do anything. This is beyond frustrating as I would think it would be better by now. Night time is no better where I wake up multiple times either feeling I need to go or worried that I should go. My urologist just keeps telling me to do the Kegel exercises and it will get better, so I keep hoping and praying it does soon because I am doing all that I can with little to show for it.

@vcsurvivor59

I can understand your frustration, it must be very unnerving but 8 weeks is such a short period of time. According to all papers some patients need up to a year, or even longer to achieve complete continence. Just be patient and continue with exercises .

Also, some members here found that rowing machine or stair-climber machine helped them a lot with regaining continence. Please ask your doctor if you can use those machines - it can be too early only 8 weeks post surgery.

It will get better - just be persistent and patient.

@surftohealth88

Thanks for the encouragement. I need it.

My situation is somewhat different. After my surgery in 2023, I had ZERO incontinence issues. My surgeon said I was one of the “lucky” 10%. However, even today I still pee a lot. Sometimes I will get up 3 times a night. I will say I don’t have that urge feeling like I had with my enlarged prostate. That feeling got in the way of my normal daily routine . My surgeon says it could be a number of issues: some people just produce more urine(I have since I was a teen), or the bladder can be weakened slightly after surgery. He told me to really try and pee less, especially while sleeping. It has been helping. I really believe some of my problem is psychological. BTW I’m 73 and doing well. Hope this helps. Best wishes.