What Can I Expect After Prostate Cancer Surgery?
Mar 18, 2025
Each year in the United States, over 300,000 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer. It happens when abnormal cells rapidly multiply in the prostate gland. Prostate surgery is one of the most effective treatments.
Knowing what to expect after prostate surgery can help you better prepare. Seeking appropriate support can help ensure a smooth recovery with minimal complications.
Our expert team at Kane Health in Silicon Valley, Redwood City, and the San Francisco Bay area of California takes a holistic approach to helping you regain your sexual health after prostate cancer treatment.
Here’s a look at what to expect after prostate surgery, including ways we can help.
If your prostate cancer is mild or you’re dealing with other serious medical conditions, your doctor may recommend close monitoring. This protocol is known as active surveillance and involves follow-up blood tests, biopsies, and rectal exams. If at any point your cancer shows growth, you may be a candidate for radiation or surgery.
For most other cases, these treatments are recommended early on. If the cancer only affects your prostate, you may only need surgery. If the cancer has spread or seems aggressive, you may benefit from surgery and radiation.
Prostate cancer surgery typically removes your prostate gland, a few lymph nodes, and some surrounding tissue. Radiation uses high-energy beams to damage DNA in your cancer cells, which destroys them.
Other prostate cancer treatments include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, cryotherapy, and immunotherapy.
For most people, recovery from prostate cancer surgery takes 4-10 weeks. Depending on the surgery, you may have one large incision or several small ones. Within several days, you should start feeling better.
Still, you’ll likely feel more tired than usual for weeks or months after your procedure. In addition to resting as needed, you may need to avoid certain activities, such as penetrative sex, intense exercise, heavy lifting, driving, and long car rides for one month.
Prostate cancer surgery can impact your sexual health in numerous ways. Erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery is especially common due to factors like damaged nerves and hormonal changes. Weakness and fatigue during recovery can also make sex less appealing or feasible.
Studies suggest that starting a program to regain sexual function six weeks after cancer treatment can help men regain sexual health. Increasing blood flow to the penis encourages healing. Having two to three erections a week, even if there is no sexual activity, can help the tissues of the penis regain healthy function, but how is that possible when you have lost your ability to obtain an erection?
At Kane Health, a board certified urologist with expertise in cancer pre and post cancer management, Dr. Chris Threatt, oversees our Prostate Cancer Recovery program. Your personalized plan will involve microdosed, proprietary medications and acoustic wave therapy to accelerate healing and restore your sexual function.
To get started with prostate surgery recovery support, call our office or request an appointment through our website today.