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Prostate Surgery Prep

What to do before your surgery (Radical Prostatectomy)

KEN EDMUNDS
Written by KEN EDMUNDS
KEN EDMUNDS
Written by KEN EDMUNDS

Ken spent 30 years in the incontinence industry working for manufacturers like ABENA, Hartmann, and Whitestone. He held a variety of titles throughout his career.


You might feel alone right now, but tens of thousands of men are going through the same thing you are dealing with at this moment. The good news is that, if caught early, the overwhelming majority of men have a successful outcome.

Leading up to your surgery, there are a few things that you can do to prepare so that your recovery period goes as well as possible. Pay close attention to #4!!!




1. Pelvic Floor (Kegel) Exercises

Start some pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises at home. This is very easy. Practice stopping your urine stream so you understand what muscles will be involved in this exercise.

  • Tighten these muscles for 5 seconds and then relax
  • Repeat this 10 – 15 times per session
  • Shoot for 2-3 sessions each day leading up to your surgery

This will help reduce bladder leakage on the other side of your surgery

2. Exercise Regularly

Exercise! Just some basic exercises can improve your pre-surgery health which will promote a faster healing time after surgery.

  • Walk 20 – 30 minutes per day
  • Try some light strength training with weights or even a heavy book you may have around your home

3. Improve Your Diet

Clean up your diet. Switching to a more balanced diet leading up to your surgery will also help reduce your recovery period.

  • If you smoke, try to either stop or cut down on tobacco usage for a few weeks
  • Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can actually affect the tissue repair process and even lead to infections after surgery
  • Try to increase things like fruits, vegetables, and protein before your surgery

4. Prepare for Your Recovery Period (CRUCIAL)

Prepare for your recovery period! This is CRUCIAL. Immediately following this surgery, you will leave with a catheter in place. Generally, this is left in place for 1-2 weeks following surgery to help manage your bladder output. After that is removed (during your follow-up visit), there will almost certainly be leakage.

Recommended Products

Buy Products Now to prepare for leakage. Here is a list of what most men have on hand for this part of their recovery:

  • Tabbed Briefs/Diapers: (mainly just for nighttime) We would suggest buying a small amount of these. At this point, probably 2 bags will be enough.

Attends Overnight Briefs, Overnight Absorbency, Large

$20.38 $26.71

About this item: Attends Overnight Briefs offer dryness and comfort day or night for incontinence users and caregive...

  • Pull Ups: We would suggest a slightly larger amount of these. Most men will buy 3-4 bags as these will be used more often during the day

Adult Protective Underwear, Premium L3, Large, Absorbency Level 3, 39" - 55"

$25.58 $36.44

Abena pants premium l3, large, absorbency level3

  • Bladder Control Pads (Male Guards):  These may be useful or necessary for a longer period. Most men will purchase a full case of these

SENI MAN FIT GUARDS

$6.66

ABOUT SENI MAN FIT GUARDS Seni Man Fit Guards are designed for men who lead an active life and desire comfort and sec...

  • Underpads: (for linen and furniture protection) These are more of an “insurance policy” in case leakage goes beyond one of the above products. Probably just need 1 bag of these

Prevail Incontinence Underpads, Super Absorbent, Large 30" X 36"

$7.20

About Prevail Incontinence Underpads, Super Absorbent, Large 30" X 36" Prevail® Underpads provide reliable and comfor...

5. Plan Meals Ahead

Meal Planning. If you live alone, you will want easy-to-prepare meals. Try preparing these a few days before surgery. Often we see men opt for a few days of frozen meals to make food preparation easy and fast.

6. Prepare Comfortable Clothing

Have the right clothes ready. Particularly during the first week or two when you have a catheter, you will want loose-fitting clothing. Your doctor’s care team will provide additional instructions on best tips for temporarily living with a catheter.

After Surgery Support

We also have some helpful tips for you once you’ve had your surgery so be sure to check those out. We can help you make the recovery period go as quickly and smoothly as possible!

Need Help?

We hope this helps you start to prepare for this quick (but important!) procedure… and we are always here to help you. Just call us at 845-202-9807 to talk to one of our product specialists, or you can use our Chat option if you prefer.

You are not alone in dealing with these challenges. Tens of thousands of men go through this each year, and we are here to help all of you!

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KEN EDMUNDS
Written by KEN EDMUNDS

Ken spent 30 years in the incontinence industry working for manufacturers like ABENA, Hartmann, and Whitestone. He held a variety of titles throughout his career and also wrote articles and spoke at various conferences.

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