A robotic radical prostatectomy removes the whole prostate and the seminal vesicles, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes, to treat prostate cancer. The bladder is then reconnected to the urethra, and a catheter protects this join while it heals.
This guide explains recovery at home, what to expect with bladder control and erections, the warning signs to watch for, and your cancer follow-up plan.
Download the full patient guide: After Robotic Radical Prostatectomy (PDF)
Your Recovery at a Glance
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2: In hospital | Walking, eating and drinking. Most men go home with the catheter. |
| Days 7–10: Catheter out | Removed in clinic. Some leakage is expected at first. |
| Weeks 2–6: Healing | Pelvic floor exercises daily. No heavy lifting. |
| 3 months: Improving | Most men need fewer pads. First PSA results reviewed. |
| 1–2 years: Full recovery | Continence and erections can keep improving for up to 2 years. |
Everyone heals at a different pace. These are typical timings, not strict rules.
The Three Most Important Things
- Protect your catheter. It supports the new join between bladder and urethra. Never pull on it, and if it falls out, do not try to reinsert it — contact your urologist straight away.
- Keep moving and complete any blood-thinning injections to prevent clots.
- Keep every PSA test. Your PSA is the main way to check that the cancer has gone.
Looking After Your Catheter
- Keep the bag below bladder level and the tube free of kinks. Use the leg bag by day and the larger night bag at night.
- Clean where the catheter enters the penis gently with soap and water twice a day.
- Some blood or urine leaking around the catheter, and bladder spasms (sudden cramps with leakage), are common and not harmful.
- Do not use enemas or suppositories, or have anything inserted into the back passage, for 6 weeks unless your surgeon agrees.
Fluids and Bowels
- Drink enough to keep your urine pale — usually about 2–2.5 litres a day. Limit tea, coffee, colas and alcohol, which irritate the bladder.
- Avoid straining. Eat fibre, drink well and take the laxative or stool softener prescribed for you.
- Mild bloating or shoulder-tip pain from the gas used in keyhole surgery is common for a few days.
Important for heart or kidney disease: follow the fluid amount your doctor has advised for that condition. Do not aim for more than 3 litres a day unless told to.
Wounds and Preventing Clots
- The operation is done through several small keyhole cuts. Stitches are usually dissolvable, and any skin glue peels off by itself.
- You may shower after 48 hours. Let water run over the wounds and pat them dry. Avoid baths and swimming for 2 weeks.
- Some bruising and a little clear or blood-stained fluid from a wound are common. Redness, spreading pain or pus are not — contact your urologist.
- Walk several times a day from the day after surgery to help prevent blood clots, chest infections and constipation.
- If you have been given blood-thinning injections or tablets, complete the full course — often 4 weeks after cancer surgery in the pelvis. Wear compression stockings if advised.
Getting Back to Activities
| Activity | When you can usually restart |
|---|---|
| Walking | Straight away — several short walks a day, building up gradually. |
| Driving | About 1–2 weeks after the catheter is removed, once you can brake suddenly without pain. |
| Desk / office work | Usually after 2–4 weeks. |
| Lifting over 5 kg, gym | Avoid for about 6 weeks. |
| Two-wheeler, cycling | Avoid for about 6 weeks. |
| Sexual activity | When you feel comfortable, usually from about 4–6 weeks. |
| Manual work, sport | Usually after 6–8 weeks. |
| Flights, long journeys | Discuss with your surgeon first, especially in the first 4 weeks. |
Bladder Control After Prostatectomy
Leakage after the catheter is removed is expected, because the muscles that control urine need time to adapt. Most men regain good control over weeks to months, and the large majority are dry or need at most one safety pad by one year.
- Start pelvic floor exercises the day after the catheter is removed (not while it is in). Tighten the muscles you use to stop passing wind or urine, hold for up to 10 seconds, relax, and repeat 10 times, three times a day.
- Leakage is often worse when standing, coughing, lifting or late in the day. Use pads while you recover.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol, keep a healthy weight, and avoid constipation.
- If leakage is still troublesome after 6–12 months, effective treatments are available, including a male sling or artificial sphincter.
Sexual Function After Prostatectomy
Every man's recovery is different. It depends on erections before surgery, whether the nerves could be preserved, and general health.
- You will no longer ejaculate ("dry orgasm") and cannot father children naturally. The feeling of orgasm usually remains.
- Erections may take many months, and up to 2 years, to recover. Penile rehabilitation — tablets such as tadalafil, a vacuum device or injections — may be started to support recovery.
- Some men notice a small leak of urine at orgasm, or a slight change in penile length. Please mention these, as they can be helped.
Our erectile dysfunction lifestyle and exercise guide covers habits that support erection recovery.
Normal Healing, or Time to Call?
Normal — expect this
- Blood-stained urine or leakage around the catheter
- Bladder spasms
- Swelling or bruising of the scrotum or penis
- Urine leakage after catheter removal
- Tiredness for several weeks
- Mild wound discomfort
Contact your urologist or go to emergency
- Catheter stops draining or falls out
- Fever of 38°C or above, chills or shivering
- Heavy bleeding or large clots
- Worsening tummy pain or swelling, vomiting, or being unable to pass wind
- New swelling in the lower tummy, groin or leg
- Calf pain, chest pain or breathlessness
- Being unable to pass urine after catheter removal
- Red, hot or discharging wounds
In an emergency, call +91 97465 52559 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department and tell them about your recent operation.
Your Cancer Follow-up Plan
The final tissue (histopathology) report shows the cancer's Grade Group, its stage, whether the margins are clear and whether any lymph nodes were involved. Your urologist will explain what it means and whether any further treatment is recommended.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| About 2 weeks | Catheter removal (if not already done) and histopathology report review. |
| 6–12 weeks | First PSA test — it should fall to an undetectable level. Continence and erection review. |
| 3, 6 and 12 months | PSA test with clinic review of recovery. |
| Years 2–3 | PSA every 6 months. |
| Year 3 onwards | PSA once a year, long term. |
Timings follow EAU and NCCN guidance and may be adjusted to your risk level.
Understanding Your PSA After Surgery
- After the prostate is removed, PSA should become undetectable (usually below 0.1 ng/mL).
- A PSA that rises and is confirmed above 0.2 ng/mL is called biochemical recurrence. It does not mean you are unwell — it often allows early, effective treatment such as radiotherapy.
- Have your PSA tested at the same laboratory each time, and never skip a test because you feel well.
Learn more about robotic radical prostatectomy, prostate cancer and raised PSA, and how prostate cancer is detected early.
Dr. Himanshu Sharma consults at Bloomwell Consulting Suites, Kemps Corner, Mumbai. No referral is required. Call or WhatsApp +91 97465 52559.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the catheter kept after robotic prostatectomy?
The catheter is usually removed in clinic about 7–10 days after surgery. It protects the new join between the bladder and urethra, so it should never be pulled on, and if it falls out it should not be reinserted at home.
Is urine leakage normal after prostatectomy?
Yes. Leakage is expected after the catheter comes out because the muscles that control urine need time to adapt. Most men regain good control over weeks to months, and the large majority are dry or need at most one safety pad by one year.
When should I start pelvic floor exercises after prostatectomy?
Start the day after the catheter is removed, not while it is in. Hold the squeeze for up to 10 seconds, relax, and repeat 10 times, three times a day.
How long do erections take to recover after robotic prostatectomy?
Erections may take many months, and up to 2 years, to recover. Recovery depends on erections before surgery, whether the nerves could be preserved and general health. Penile rehabilitation may be started to support recovery.
What should my PSA be after prostatectomy?
PSA should become undetectable, usually below 0.1 ng/mL. A PSA that rises and is confirmed above 0.2 ng/mL is called biochemical recurrence, which often allows early, effective treatment such as radiotherapy.
This article provides general information for patients and families and is based on Dr. Himanshu Sharma's patient information sheet. It does not replace individual medical advice. Please follow the advice given to you personally, and speak to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
