A prostatectomy is an operation to remove the prostate gland.

The prostate gland is inside your body, between your balls and bottom.

A prostatectomy is done to remove cancer that is on the prostate.

The operation is done in hospital.
You will have to stay in hospital for 3 to 7 days.

The Operation

The doctor or nurse will talk to you about what type of operation you will need.

The operation is carried out in hospital.
You will be asleep when it happens. This is called a general anaesthetic.

You will have to wear special socks.
These will help your blood flow during the operation.

The surgeon will make a small cut in your tummy or under your balls.

After a prostatectomy you might have side effects

The doctor will talk to you about these side effects.
You might have some or all of these side effects.

Have problems controlling your pee.

Have sex as usual.

Have children if you want to.

After the operation

You will be taken to a ward in the hospital.
You will have to stay here for 3 to 7 days.

When you wake up you will have a drip in your hand.

When you wake up you will have a catheter tube in your penis.
This takes away your pee.
You will not need to go to the toilet to pee.

When you wake up you may have some pain.
Tell the doctor or nurse if you are in pain.

The nurse or doctor will tell you what you need to do when you go home.

When Home

You will have the catheter in at home.
A nurse will visit you at home to help you with the catheter.

You will have stitches in at home.
A nurse will visit you at home to take the stitches out.

Phone your doctor if

• Your pee has blood in it.

• It is very sore when you pee.

• Your legs are sore or get bigger (swell).

• Your wound is very red or sore.

Having a Cystogram

After your operation you might have to visit hospital to have a cystogram.
A cystogram is a x-ray to make sure your bladder is working well.

A catheter tube will be put into your penis.

The doctor or nurse will fill up your bladder.
This will make you feel like you want to pee.

The doctor or nurse will ask you to pee.
The doctor or nurse will use a special dye that will let them see your pee and bladder.

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