Surgery
Prostate surgery recovery times vary according to the type of procedure performed. A radical prostatectomy is open surgery and requires the longest recovery period. Non-robotic laparoscopic and robotic laparoscopic surgeries offer quicker recovery times.
Surgery Time
A radical prostatectomy procedure may take two to four hours with an additional two hours spent in the recovery room. A non-robotic laparoscopic procedure generally takes three to four hours (but may take up to eight), and robotic surgery times vary from two to three hours.
Hospital Time
Hospital time after radical prostrate surgery is two to four days. Regular laparoscopic prostate surgery requires a two-day hospital stay, while a robotic laparoscopic procedure often has the patient returning home after 24 hours.
Recovery Time
Most patients can return to normal activities after one to two weeks with robotic procedures (four to six weeks for men who do heavy lifting). Regular laparoscopic procedures have a recovery time of two to four weeks, while radical procedures may take up to 12 weeks for a full recovery.
Catheter Removal
Catheters are removed within two to three weeks after radical surgery, an average of seven days after normal laparoscopic procedures, and four to 10 days for robotic laparoscopic procedures.
Benefits
Laparoscopic surgeries have reduced complications and quicker recovery times because they utilize a technique that passes instruments through small incisions; radical procedures utilize large abdominal incisions during surgery.
Warning
Patients undergoing a radical prostatectomy may require blood transfusions during the operation.
