Recovery From GreenLight Laser Surgery

GreenLight laser surgery is one of the most recent advancements in prostate surgery. Recovery from GreenLight laser surgery is generally easier and faster than recovery from more traditional prostate surgery.

Considerations

• GreenLight laser surgery is not an option for treating prostate cancer. It is far more useful in treating prostate enlargement (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), when the enlarging prostate is pressing on the urethra and making urination difficult.

Significance

• GreenLight and other laser surgeries make it possible for surgeons to remove obstructive prostate tissue without actually cutting a patient open. This makes prostate surgery safer for the patient, especially those who have been on anticoagulant medications.

Time Frame

• Virtually every component of recovery from GreenLight laser surgery is faster than traditional prostate surgery. For instance, if a man needs to be catheterized at all after GreenLight surgery, it is usually only for the first day.

Hospitalization

• GreenLight laser surgery requires little time in the hospital.

  Most GreenLight laser surgeries do not require the patient to stay in the hospital overnight. Occasionally a patient will have to stay, but one night at the most. Traditional prostate resections require hospital stays of two or three days.

Benefits

• Normal activities can resume only a few days after GreenLight laser surgery--when traditional prostate surgery patients would be just getting out of the hospital. Also, GreenLight laser surgery holds a much lower risk to the patient's sexual function than traditional prostate surgery.