Treatment After Prostate Surgery
Men who have undergone prostate surgery may experience side effects such as penile shortening or erectile dysfunction. These problems can negatively affect their quality of life, but fortunately can be solved by applying the most appropriate treatment in each case.
What Happens During Prostate Surgery?
Prostate surgery, or prostatectomy, involves the total or partial removal of the prostate gland, and is a procedure performed to treat prostate cancer that has not metastasized beyond the gland.
There are several surgical techniques, such as radical prostatectomy, which aims to remove the entire prostate and surrounding tissues, or laparoscopic prostatectomy, which is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions and specialized tools to remove the prostate.
Types of Prostate Surgery Treatments
There are different post-surgery treatment options for the prostate, which primarily seek to improve erectile function and prevent penile shortening.
Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy
Low intensity shock wave therapy is a treatment that has shown high success rates in the recovery of erectile function after prostate surgery, as it stimulates the formation of new blood vessels in the penile tissue, increasing the ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
Use of a Penile Vacuum Pump
The penile vacuum pump is a device that helps improve erectile function after prostate surgery. This device creates a vacuum around the penis, which increases blood flow to it and facilitates erection. Continued use may improve the body’s ability to achieve natural erections over time.
Use of a Penis Extender
The penile extender is another device that can be used to treat the side effects of prostate surgery, especially penile shortening. This device applies gradual and steady penile traction, which stimulates the stretching of tissue and promotes growth.
Our penis extenders
Which Prostate Surgery is Best?
Deciding which is the best prostate surgery for each patient depends on factors such as the size of the prostate, the patient’s state of health, and the level of experience of the surgeon in charge.
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy are advanced, minimally invasive techniques that can offer faster recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery. Both allow the surgeon to precisely remove the prostate through small incisions, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and reducing the risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
FAQs
How long is the recovery after prostate surgery?
The length of recovery from prostate surgery can vary depending on the type of surgery performed and the patient’s state of health. It is most common for patients to require an initial recovery of 1 to 2 weeks for basic activities, although complete recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks. However, it is always important to follow the doctor’s instructions and avoid strenuous physical activity during this time.
What are common side effects after prostate surgery?
After prostate surgery, it is common to experience side effects for a while, such as difficulty urinating, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction — symptoms that tend to improve with time and proper treatment. Many people are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks, although some side effects may persist and require ongoing medical attention.
What happens when you have prostate surgery?
When you have prostate surgery, the surgeon removes all or part of the gland to treat conditions such as prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Different techniques can be used during surgery—such as radical, laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy—but the goal is always the same: to remove the affected tissue while controlling risks such as bleeding, infection, and erectile dysfunction.
