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Laser Prostate Surgery Recovery Time

Lasers are one treatment for an enlarged prostate that can decrease pain and recovery time for patients compared to traditional surgery. Doctors perform the procedure with anesthesia while guiding the laser through the urethra to eliminate excess prostate tissue.

  1. Outpatient Treatment

    • Doctors can perform a laser treatment for enlarged prostate as an outpatient treatment, according to UCLA Health System. Catheterization may only be required overnight or not at all in some cases. The recovery time for this type of procedure is one to three days, according to the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

    No Incision

    • A laser procedure does not require an incision to remove prostate tissue. The laser procedure is less invasive allowing a quicker recovery time, according to the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

    Decreased Side Effects

    • Traditional procedures have an increased risk of bleeding and absorption of fluids after the procedure, according to UCLA Health Systems. Laser procedures that perform the same function decrease bleeding and the risk of these side effects.

    Repeated Procedure

    • Laser ablation procedures for prostate cancer can be repeated if the cancer returns or cancer is found to be present in the prostate long after the original procedure. This treatment is not possible with radiation treatment for prostate cancer, according to NYU Langone Medical Center.

    Risks

    • Laser surgery for prostate problems is less invasive, but it is not without some risk. In the treatment of prostate cancer, when the prostate is completely ablated, the patient will suffer from erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

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