Any tips for first few days immediately following prostate surgery?

After surgery, I stayed upstairs in our bedroom in my recliner, watched TV, tylenol for pain, did have a bucket for the bag, had meals brought to me. Stairs were ok. The worst part was thinking about that damn catheter but no pain. When I went to have the catheter removed I exchanged the bucket for a grocery bag. All manageable.

I ate alot of prunes to avoid constipation and it seemed to work. I slept in bed, but found I was most comfortable with pillows to raise my head and shoulders and also a pillow under my knees. I suppose a recliner would have worked just as well but didn't think of it. Despite being tethered to a catheter, the leg bag permits mobility and I tried to get out of the house everyday for a walk. Even though the pace was slow getting outside was a plus for me.

I too slept in a recliner the first week after surgery (catheter was removed 7 days after surgery). Tylenol was all I needed as well and that was only for the first 2 or 3 days post op.

Once the catheter was out, I slept in my bed again

Wow, I was just thinking last night of how far I've come since the surgery.

I recall having a lot of pain the first day or two that improved very quickly. I think I took half a prescription pain pill each the first two nights. I wasn't excited about taking them but my 3 nurse sisters all agreed that it was more important that I sleep to aid recovery. After that nothing.

I slept in a recliner for the first couple nights then moved to my bed on my back. My room's upstairs so I was climbing the steps a couple times a day by day 2 or 3.

I used a small office sized garbage can for the large bag as well.

Don't be alarmed if you see a speck or two of dried blood in the cath tube or collection bag. I wasn't told and did call the doc. I'm not saying don't call if you see feel something you don't expect, but, you may see this. I also had a little puss around the outside of the tube when pushing a little too hard one day during the morning constitutional. All part of the normal healing process I was told.

I was walking around the block with a leg bag by day 3 and driving shopping etc shortly after that. I would just suggest that if you go this route be close to a bathroom until you get used to the volume. Those leg bags are small and I managed to create a "need a place to empty this thing" situation on an outing.

May you heal quickly!

If you still get erections keep you catheter clean and lubricate it so erection can slide over rubber catheter tube.

I had surgery 2 weeks ago at Mayo Clinic. I was able to sleep on my back in my bed just fine; the first night was definitely the worst. The pain was actually pretty minimal and I got better quickly and started walking. 2 to 3 times a day by the 2nd day. I really didn't feel like eating, and eating very much at all caused me a lot of discomfort so I did get the benefit of losing 12 pounds! I don't think stairs are a great idea, especially from a potential fall. I've had several major surgeries over the past few years and this one was the easiest from a pain and recovery time standpoint. I agree with others that the catheter is obnoxious but little pain. Its common, and my situation is a bit worse than normal due to the non-nerve sparing procedure and tissue removed due to tumor growth, but incontinence after catheter removal is the biggest deal so, DO YOUR KEGAL EXERCISES! It's going to be OK and you will do just fine.

My experience as a 74 year old...once I left the hospital, I did not need opioid pain meds, which are indeed constipating. I alternated among extended release tylenol, extra-strength tylenol, and alleve, staying within the recommended 24 hour maximum dosages. I used a leg bag for the catheter...ask for one when leaving hospital. I slept fine on my back. I began walking the day of surgery, and kept it up every day. I could go up and down stairs OK.

Your body knows how to heal itself; gentle movement and extra sleep/rest help the process.

I slept in a regular bed after surgery, putting the catheter bag in a bucket next to the bed (someone I know put the bag on the floor with no bucket and stepped on it with bad consequences). I did not need narcotic pain medication -only OTC ones-and did't take laxatives. I never used the leg bag--placed the catheter bag in a shopping bag and carried it very inconspicuously in the few times I went out before the catheter was removed. I bought tear away basketball pants (the kind you see players wear on the sidelines-available on Amazon), which are perfect for dealing with the catheter. No problem with stairs. My favorite thing was renting a lift chair. I quickly realized that no chair in my house was comfortable and adjustable enough to get through a couple of weeks. The lift chair had multiple adjustments and can lift you onto your feet, avoiding stress on the incisions and abdomen. I wanted to keep it but my wife said no--it was pretty ugly looking. Good luck!

Thank you!!

Many thanks! Just ordered some breakaway shorts...great idea!!