A. Your urologist will tell you when to resume taking your medications.

A. Another advantage of robotic prostatectomy over traditional prostatectomy is the early removal of the urinary catheter—usually 6-8 days after surgery. Remember to bring a pair of brief-style underwear and some Depends Guards for Men to the appointment, as you will be temporarily incontinent after the catheter is removed.

A. The major advantage of robotic prostatectomy is decreased bleeding and decreased pain, which results in quicker recovery. Most men undergoing this operation are able to resume normal activities within 1-2 weeks after surgery. Strenuous activities like running or weight lifting should be restricted until 4 weeks after surgery, and riding a bike, motorcycle, or horse must be avoided for 2 months. Listen to your body, and do not “work through the pain.”

A. Your first follow-up appointment will be 6-8 days after surgery. At this time, the doctor will remove your urinary catheter, examine your incisions, review the information gained from analyzing your prostate specimen, and formulate a plan for cancer surveillance.
After your first post-operative visit, you will continue to follow up with your urologist every three months for the first year. At each appointment, your urologist will draw your PSA to verify that the cancer has not returned.

A. As with any cancer treatment, there is always a risk that the disease will recur. Your urologist is alert for signs of recurrence and utilizes scientifically proven computerized tools to determine your risk for recurrence. These tools, called nomograms, incorporate a combination of diseases factors including the stage of the cancer, PSA level, and pathology. If your nomogram results indicated a high risk of cancer recurrence, your doctor may recommend intensity-modulated radiation therapy or IMRT, the most advanced form of external beam radiation therapy. Patients may also have access to the latest and most promising treatments for recurrent prostate cancer by participating in clinical trails at Urology San Antonio's Center for Clinical Trials.

A. Men who undergo robotic surgery at the hands of an experienced surgeon regain continence quicker than men who undergo traditional prostatectomy. Twenty-five percent of men who undergo the robotic procedure have full urinary control and do not need pads within one week after the catheter is removed. Eighty percent of patients report that they are continent within 3 months, and at one year, over 90% of patients have regained bladder control.

A. A Kegel is a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Arnold Kegel who invented the exercise. The pelvic floor muscles are attached to the pelvic bone and act like a hammock, holding in the pelvic organs. Exercising or strengthening these muscles helps restore the bladder control after the catheter is removed. Urology San Antonio’s state-of the-art continence center has a dedicated nurse practitioner who can work with you on a pelvic floor rehabilitation program to speed resumption of urinary control.

A. Resumption of sexual activity depends strongly on your potency before surgery and the surgical technique used. The robot is an incredible tool, but it is only as good as the surgeon performing the procedure. Not everyone can expect a return of activity, but an aggressive rehabilitation protocol is available to patients hoping for a return of function. As part of their rehabilitation, patients may consult with LeRoy A. Jones, MD or William P. Fitch, MD, Urology San Antonio physicians who specialize in the field of men’s sexual medicine.