What to Use After Prostate Cancer Surgery

Prostate cancer is a big concern for men. Each year many men have their prostates removed because of cancer. After surgery, you will need to follow certain steps during recovery, and there are things you will need to facilitate the healing process. Each person is different in how they will come through with their surgery, so each individual will have different needs following their surgery.

Catheter

• A prostatectomy, or removal of the prostate most often because of prostate cancer, requires a new connection to be made from the bladder to the urethra. This connection is made with a suture, or stitching, and for it to heal, you will need a catheter.

  The catheter can be left in 7 to 10 days, depending on the healing process as well as the doctor's decision. It is used to drain urine directly from the bladder so the urine does not travel down the urethra and irritate the sutured area. The catheter needs daily care by cleaning the opening of the penis with a 50/50 solution of water and hydrogen peroxide.

Undergarments

• Not all patients will experience incontinence after their prostate surgery, but some will. If you experience incontinence, it may be necessary to wear protective undergarments. Some men may have issues with incontinence temporarily while others may not have any trouble at all.

  Protective garments can be purchased at most drug stores and come in different sizes for grown men. If you prefer, you can order your undergarments from companies online that will discreetly mail them to you.

Medications

• Most men who undergo a prostatectomy will experience pain afterward. Depending on your tolerance to pain, you may be given a prescription for pain medication, or you may be able to take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol.

  Some men may experience erectile dysfunction after a prostatectomy. This means that you will have trouble getting an erection. In this case, once your doctor has given you permission to resume your sex life, he may prescribe a medication to help you achieve an erection. The problem may be temporary, meaning that you will not need the medication long-term, while other men may continue to have trouble with erections long-term after surgery.