Photo: Janko Ferlic

How long will I dribble after prostate surgery?

Most people regain control in the weeks after we remove the catheter. The vast majority of men who had normal urinary control before the procedure achieve it again within 3 to 18 months after the surgery.

mountsinai.org - Continence After Robotic Prostate Surgery | Mount Sinai - New York

Can a man live a normal life without a prostate?

The two prominent quality-of-life issues associated with living without a prostate are the loss of urinary control and the loss of erectile...

Last updated Sep 5, 2022

Can your eyes change color?

Pupils change sizes to let more light into the eye, often in surroundings with dim lighting. This causes the eye to appear darker due to the iris...

Last updated Oct 22, 2022

Promotion

A concern that many men understandably share in considering prostate surgery is its possible effect on their bladder control. Most people regain control in the weeks after we remove the catheter. The vast majority of men who had normal urinary control before the procedure achieve it again within 3 to 18 months after the surgery. At Mount Sinai, our track record is better than the national average. Some men have immediate bladder control and do not leak urine after the surgery. However, for most men, regaining full control of their urine is a gradual process that takes several weeks or months. By six months, most men who were continent before the surgery no longer need pads, though some prefer to wear just a liner for security even if they do not leak.

The two types of incontinence following prostate surgery are:

Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur during physical activity, like lifting a heavy object, or when you laugh or sneeze, putting increased "stress" or pressure on the bladder. Stress incontinence accounts for the majority of incontinence problems. is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur during physical activity, like lifting a heavy object, or when you laugh or sneeze, putting increased "stress" or pressure on the bladder. Stress incontinence accounts for the majority of incontinence problems. Urge incontinence is the sudden need to urinate due to bladder spasms or contractions. To hasten the recovery of urinary control, we teach you pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the urinary sphincter. These exercises are known as Kegel exercises. Basically, they consist of tightening the urine control muscle (the sphincter muscles) 10 to 20 times every hour to strengthen the muscle that controls urine flow. We may recommend other behavioral strategies as well, including timed voiding, double voiding, and reduced fluid intake, which can significantly help facilitate urinary control and can be started shortly after surgery.

Continence Treatment

In about 5 percent of patients, there can be damage to the urinary sphincter or the nerves nearby, resulting in temporary or permanent incontinence. A minority of patients may have delayed healing of the bladder/urethra connection and thus require longer catheterization or may require re-insertion of the catheter because of swelling at the connection. We tailor our continence treatment to your medical history, physical condition, and personal preferences. We use a biofeedback program that speeds up the process of urinary recovery. Most patients report that they are fully continent and have a stream of urine that is better than pre surgery stream (due to enlarged prostate) within a few months after surgery. If continence problems persist, there are minimally invasive surgical options that are highly successful, such as the male urethral sling and the artificial sphincter. At Mount Sinai, we do these surgeries as outpatient procedures.

What are the benefits of eating raw onions?

Top 5 health benefits of onions Rich in antioxidant compounds. Onions are loaded with plant chemicals including flavonoids, which have both an...

Last updated Jul 3, 2019

Can a doctor tell if you have prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man's blood. Another way to find prostate...

Last updated Jun 26, 2019

Promotion

Can cranberry juice irritate your kidneys?

Cranberry juice is high in oxalates, which can increase your risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones. This is because oxalates bind to calcium when...

Last updated Sep 2, 2019

How to get rid of tummy fat?

To battle belly fat: Eat a healthy diet. Focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of...

Last updated Sep 3, 2021

Promotion

Why are so many people getting prostate cancer?

Having higher levels of androgens might contribute to prostate cancer risk in some men. Some research has found that men with high levels of...

Last updated Feb 26, 2019

Promotion

What is stonewalling in a marriage?

Stonewalling, one of the Four Horsemen, is Dr. John Gottman's term for one or both partners shutting down when feeling overwhelmed during conflict....

Last updated Aug 30, 2022