Recovery After Robotic Prostatectomy

What to Expect After Surgery & How to Prepare

At Fore River Urology, we want you to feel fully informed and confident about your recovery after robotic prostatectomy. This guide outlines what to expect, how to care for yourself, and what you may need to prepare at home.

Overview of Recovery Timeline

Day of Surgery
Discharge the same day or next morning. A urinary catheter (Foley) is placed during surgery.

First Week
Mild fatigue or cramping is common. Walking multiple times daily is recommended, this improves bowel recovery and decreases risk of DVT. The Foley catheter stays in for 7 days.

After Catheter Removal (Day 7–10)
Bladder control begins to improve. Urine leakage is common, especially with movement or coughing.

2–4 Weeks
Light activity is encouraged. Avoid lifting more than 15 pounds. Urinary control continues to improve.

3 Months+
Most patients are using 0–2 pads per day. Some recover continence quickly; others improve more gradually.

Things to Buy & Prepare

Having the right items at home can make recovery smoother:

Depends-style adult underwear or diapers
Many patients wear a Depend with a pad tucked inside for easy pad changes.
Absorbent pads
Stool softeners or gentle laxatives (e.g., Colace, Senna, Miralax)
Waterproof mattress pad
Loose-fitting pants or shorts (preferably with a drawstring)
Donut pillow or soft cushion for perineal soreness when sitting
Protein shakes or easy-to-digest meals for the first few days
Schedule pelvic floor physical therapy about 2 weeks after surgery (and ideally also before)

Activity Restrictions

No heavy lifting, twisting, or torquing (>15 pounds) for 1 month after surgery to prevent hernias
No driving while the catheter is in place
No biking for 6 weeks, unless using a noseless seat, which may be tried at 4 weeks
Golf: chipping and putting is allowed, but avoid full swings for now
Unlimited walking and light stairs are encouraged immediately
Avoid intense exercise, running, or strenuous activity until cleared

Incision Care

No wound care is necessary
Incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures and sealed with surgical glue
The glue will flake off on its own over a few weeks
Do not scrub the incision areas or pick at the glue

Showering & Bathing

You may shower anytime after surgery
Let water run over the incisions and catheter site, but do not scrub
Pat the area dry afterward
Avoid baths, pools, or hot tubs for 2 weeks

Catheter Care & Comfort

Your Foley catheter will remain in for about 7 days
Use a leg strap to secure tubing and reduce tugging
Switch between a leg bag (daytime) and a larger night bag for comfort
Keep the bag below the bladder at all times to avoid backflow
It is normal to see blood around the catheter, especially with your first few bowel movements

Pain Control

Over half of patients do not need narcotic pain medication after leaving the hospital.

A typical pain regimen includes:

Ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg every 6 hours
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 1000 mg every 6 hours
Alternate the two medications every 3 hours

If needed, a few tablets of Tramadol (a light narcotic) may be prescribed. If you take any narcotic, use a stool softener (e.g., Colace or Senna) to prevent constipation.

Diet & Bowel Recovery

Begin with a clear liquid diet (broth, Jell-O, juice) until you pass gas
Then advance to soft solids (eggs, mashed potatoes, soup)
Once you have a bowel movement, resume a regular, unrestricted diet
Bowel function may take 1–5 days to resume and a few weeks to feel fully normal
Stay well hydrated and take stool softeners as needed

Urinary Continence Recovery

Leakage is common after catheter removal
Most patients use 0–2 pads/day by 3 months
Some regain continence quickly; others improve more gradually, a small percentage may not recover fully
We recommend wearing a Depend brief with a pad inside for easier pad changes
Continue pelvic floor exercises daily, ideally with guidance from a pelvic floor PT

Support Services: The Dempsey Center

The Dempsey Center provides free, personalized support to patients with cancer and their families. Services include:

Nutrition counseling
Oncology massage
Pelvic floor PT referrals
Mental health support
Yoga, meditation, and movement classes
Virtual and in-person programs

Locations: South Portland and Lewiston, ME
Website: www.dempseycenter.org

Common Symptoms After Surgery

Symptom	Normal?
Fatigue	Yes – improves after 1 -2 weeks
Urinary leakage	Yes – especially after catheter removal
Blood in urine	A small amount is normal
Blood around the catheter	Normal, especially after bowel movements
Perineal soreness when sitting	Common – use a donut pillow
Constipation	Common – use stool softeners and hydrate

Call us or seek care if you develop:

Fever >101°F
Severe abdominal pain
Chest pain
No urine output

Follow-Up Appointments

Day 7–10: In-office catheter removal
3 Months: Clinic follow-up with PSA blood test completed prior to visit

Need Help?

We’re here for you every step of the way.
Phone: 207-518-6600
Request an Appointment: https://www.foreriverurology.com/self-referral-form/