Going Home After Your Robot Assisted …

1 You are ready to go home After your robotic prostatectomy. Here are some tips to helpyou recover After may shower 48 hours After your drain is takenout. If you do not have a drain, you can shower theday After you go home . By then, your incision anddrain sites usually do not need bandages. Do not taketub baths until 3 weeks After surgery and your catheteris out. TravelDo not drive until 1 to 2 weeks After surgery. you are not taking pain medicine. your catheter is you ride in a car or fly, keep your legs upduring the trip. Walk around every hour toprevent blood home After your RobotAssisted Laparoscopic ProstatectomyIndiana University HospitalSittingDo not sit with your feet on the floor for long periodsof time. Sit with your feet up. Get up often andwalk. Moving around keeps blood flowing and helpsprevent blood Back To WorkYou should not plan to go back to work for 2 to 3weeks After surgery. This will depend on the kindof work you do and how fast you heal.

2 Yoursurgeon can tell you more about Going back not lift anything that weighs more than 10pounds for 4 weeks. This lets your incision exercise (walking or climbing stairs) willhelp you feel better may go back to your normal diet when you gohome. care education research serviceSexYour prostatectomy may affect your sexual function. ErectionErection begins when nerves are causes more blood to flow to the extra blood causes the penis to get biggerand harder. These nerves run beside the prostate , these nerves can be saved when yourprostate is removed. But even if the nervesare kept, your sexual function may not be thesame as before usually takes 6-12 months for the nerves toheal and to recover your erection fully. Yourerections may get better for as long as 2-3years After surgery. Even After recovery, somemen find their erections are less firm anddon t last as long as before you are waiting, there are ways to helpwith your erection. There are medicines thatmay help.

3 Sildenafil (Viagra ) is one you cantake by mouth. Caverject is a medicine youinject. Or, there are devices that can help. TheMuse can be put into the penis. Vacuumerection devices can also help. your doctorcan give you more information and help youchoose something that is right for is when fluid comes out of thepenis during sex. Seminal fluid is one part ofthis fluid. The prostate gland makes seminalfluid. After the prostate is taken out, seminalfluid is no longer made. So, no fluid comesout during sex. You will not be able to father a child After thissurgery. You can still get sexually transmitteddiseases (STD). If you have more than onesex partner or your partner has more than onesex partner, you need to wear a condom toprotect yourself and your partner. Sexual ActivityYou may have sex when: You feel ready. your catheter is out. your incision is healed. your urinary control is is important to talk to your partner aboutyour sexual function. your doctor can answeryour questions about having sex.

4 Urinary ControlSome men have urinary control right aftersurgery. For others, it may take longer. Asyour bladder is trained to hold urine again, your control will get better. For most men,control becomes completely normal 2-3months After surgery. You may notice that you have better controlwhen you are lying down. This is because theweight of the urine is spread over the sides ofthe bladder instead of pressing down on theurethra. Leakage may get worse in theevening when your muscles get tired. You may notice more leaking when youchange position, carry things, laugh, sneeze orcough. This is called stress incontinence is often worse when youexercise, when your bladder is full, when youare tired or After you drink alcohol. Thesethings increase pressure inside the increases the chances that urine will leakfrom the bladder. You can stay dry and comfortable by wearinga small absorbent pad. Most men get goodurinary control back within a few months. Ifyou do not have good control in 1 year, yoursurgeon may suggest ExercisesTwo weeks After surgery and After yourcatheter is out, you may start Kegel exercises will help improve yoururinary control.

5 Tighten the muscles around your are the muscles that normally stopurine flow. Count to 3. Relax. Repeat 5times. Do these exercises 4 times a day: afterbreakfast, lunch, dinner and before you go You Have A DrainDuring surgery, your surgeon may place asmall drain in your abdomen, close to yourincision. This drain is a soft tube leading to asmall, flexible bulb. This drain is called aJackson-Pratt or J-P drain. The drain and bulbhelp drain the fluid around your surgical site. Often, the drain is taken out 1 to 2 days afteryour surgery, but it may be left in longer. Youmay go home with your J-P drain still inplace. If so, the nurse will teach you how tocare for it before you leave. your doctor willtake it out when it is time. Clarian Health Partners, Inc. August 2006 All rights reservedLawson 10596 , CH-4744 When To Call your DoctorCall the Urology Clinic at 317-274-7545 if youhave: Temperature above 101 F Swelling in your feet or ankles Tenderness in your calf Redness around your incision No urine drains from your catheter A bad smell from your incision Increasing abdominal pain Catheter comes outIf you need to call your surgeon After businesshours, call 317-274-5000.

6 Ask for the urologyresident on FunctionIt is important to avoid constipation. When you go home , you will get a prescriptionfor a stool softener. It is a good idea to take this as long as you are taking pain may also take Metamucil or Milk of Magnesia which are stool softeners youcan buy without a prescription.