Prostate Surgery
Prostate surgery is an operation on the prostate gland. The prostate sits at the base of the bladder and the urethra (tube that urine and semen travel through) runs right through the middle of it. The prostate can develop cancer or with age, it can become enlarged. An enlarged prostate is usually obvious as it results in bladder problems, however prostate cancer often causes no symptoms and is discovered on routine testing. Not all those diagnosed with prostate cancer will need surgery, but for those who need to have the prostate removed or have radiation treatment, bladder and bowel problems are unfortunately common. The type of prostate problem determines the type of surgery required.
Radical prostatectomy is the removal of the entire prostate, usually done to treat prostate cancer. Receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer can be overwhelming, and the side effects of bladder leakage and erectile dysfunction following prostate surgery can be distressing. You might be unsure of what to expect in the recovery phase or be wondering if you’ll ever regain bladder control and sexual function.
Preparing for and recovering from prostate surgery is far easier with expert advice and support, though. Bladder leakage is to be expected after prostate surgery, but research shows it can be reduced with pelvic floor muscle training. Research also shows that when this training starts before surgery, the severity of bladder leakage and the time it takes to restore bladder control are both reduced.
Prostate gland radiation is a treatment used to treat prostate cancer either instead of surgery to remove the prostate or after surgery when some cancer cells remain or have returned. The radiation treatment is targeted at the cancer cells but because the bladder and bowel are in such close proximity to this area, it is common for symptoms such as urinary or bowel urgency and frequency or loss of control to develop after radiation.
TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) is surgery that removes part of the prostate, usually in the case of prostate enlargemnent called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is very common, with 1 in 2 men over 50 having some BPH, which can cause frequency and urgency and difficulty emptying the bladder. Sometimes bladder problems persist after TURP or new ones emerge, such as poor bladder control.
We’re here for you.
Rest assured, at Pelvic Health Matters, along with your Urologist and health care team, we’re here to give you much-needed peace of mind. We’ll help you prepare for and recover as quickly as possible from prostate surgery so you can return to your normal levels of activity sooner.
After prostate surgery, bladder leakage is common and distressing. Seeing our postgraduate-qualified pelvic health physiotherapists before and after your surgery will get you back to the things you enjoy as quickly as possible.
Common symptoms after prostate surgery or radiation
- Urinary leakage with activity, movement or change of position
- Urine leakage on the way to the toilet
- Going to the toilet frequently
- Having an overwhelming urge to go to the toilet
- Erectile dysfunction
- Urine leakage with arousal and orgasm
- Bowel urgency and frequency
- Loose stool
- Bowel accidents
- Peyronie's Disease (curvature of the penis)
Our Proven Pathway for Supporting Prostate Surgery
Discover what matters
You’re assessed as a whole person
To begin, we take the time to understand all of you – not just what’s going on physically. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will collect the following information:
- QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand about your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
- 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and your upcoming prostate surgery. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pelvic health.
- THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This includes a pelvic floor examination, use of transperineal ultrasound, bladder diary and a specific questionnaire that assesses distress before and after surgery for prostate cancer.
- CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you, we can explore how it all fits together to help maximise your prostate surgery recovery. For example, we might identify any existing bladder, bowel and sexual concerns. Or perhaps we’ll look into the role of your pelvic floor in supporting bladder control after surgery.
- SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals such as:
- Know that I’m doing everything I can to get the best surgical outcome
- Become confident enough not to wear pads anymore
- Be able to return to the gym and golf
Restore what matters
You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.
Step 2 is where things really start to happen. Together, we’ll select the most effective, research-proven treatment options that suit your way of life. You’ll learn what to expect from surgery, how to adapt during the recovery period and how to safely return to your normal activities.
We’ll also begin Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. This is where you’ll incorporate valuable new skills and learn how to connect with hidden muscles that you may not have been aware of before. Your program will be tailored to your needs, helping you use these muscles effectively when it matters most.
As you move through your recovery and navigate challenges like incontinence or erectile dysfunction, we’ll be right here with practical strategies and emotional support. We’ll also guide your return to work, exercise and the activities you enjoy.
Along the way, you’ll also have access to excellent resources and tools to support your progress. You’ll be well-equipped for the journey ahead!
ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.
Enjoy what matters
You’ll be living your best life.
The final step is about ensuring you achieve all the meaningful goals you set when you started with us. At this stage, you can return to the things that matter to you. Perhaps you can get back on the golf course, enjoy intimacy again or use a public urinal without feeling embarrassed. And if you couldn’t imagine yourself going overseas again or playing a whole round of golf, now you can.
At this stage, you won’t need us anymore – you’ll have everything you need to manage independently. But rest assured, we’re always here to help you get back on track if things get a little challenging. Perhaps you may develop a nasty virus with lots of coughing, or your bowels could play up. Whatever happens, though, we’ll always be here to help you.
Read about Ron 63 yrs, Josh 45 yrs
More info on prostate surgery
Blog Articles
- Get Control and Stop Leaking
- Bladder Interrupting Your Sleep? It Could Be A Canary In A Coal Mine!
- Rushing to the Toilet? You are not Alone!
- Prostate Cancer. What Every Person Should Know.
- Emotional Burden of Prostate Cancer
- Shy Bladder Syndrome
- Incontinence After Prostate Cancer Surgery
- Men Have a Pelvic Floor Too
- Busting Myths About Fluid Intake
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Pelvic Health Matters
New name.
Same exceptional care.
Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.
Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au