Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy RALP
Activity
Physical activity should be restricted following your surgery for 6 weeks. This includes avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, mowing the lawn etc. Gentle walking is best, gradually increasing the duration. Pelvic floor muscle exercises can be commenced once your catheter is removed.
Driving
After your catheter is removed, you may commence driving. However, refrain from driving until you feel confident to perform an emergency stop. Also, ensure you are not on narcotic analgesia whilst driving. You should also check with your insurance company for specific exclusion clauses
surrounding surgery.
Wound Care
- Absorbable sutures are used and waterproof dressings will be applied to your incision sites. These dressings will usually last 3-7 days. The dressings will be removed at your catheter removal appointment. If the dressings lift and fall off prior to this appointment, they do not need replacing.
- Steri-strips will be underneath the waterproof dressing, and should be left in place until the edges start to lift and then peeled off. If these steri-strips are still present after two weeks, please remove them.
- When showering, wash your wounds with warm soapy water and rinse the area thoroughly. Do not apply lotions or creams as these may cause irritation. Each day examine your wounds for any redness or tenderness.
- Contact Bayside Urology if there are any concerns.
- Bruising around the incision sites is common, usually around 1-5 days after your operation. You may also experience some scrotal swelling, this is normal and will settle within a few weeks.
Hygiene
You may shower as normal, the dressings are waterproof. Do not have a bath or go swimming for at least 2-6 weeks following your procedure.
Sexual Activity
You may resume sexual activity 2-4 weeks after your catheter removal. Dr Hadley would have discussed the implication of surgery with you and the possibility that you may experience problems with erectile function following the operation. You can however, achieve arousal and climax without an erection. Following your surgery, you will not ejaculate.
Anti-Embolic Stockings
These stockings are used to reduce the risk of post-operative blood clots forming in your legs. Please continue to wear the stockings while you have reduced activity. Once you are back to your normal levels of activity you can stop wearing the stockings. Continue to wear your stockings, even if you are on Clexane/Heparin post-operatively. Please be aware of the signs and symptoms of blood clots. These include pain, swelling and tenderness in the leg, foot or ankle (most commonly in the calf), warm skin around the area of the clot, skin turning to a reddish or bluish colour over the affected area, chest pain with an increase in pain when you inhale and shortness of breath. In the event of any of these signed or symptoms, please seek urgent medical advice.
Long Distance Travel/Flights
It is recommended that long distance travel is restricted during your initial recovery period. A medical travel clearance form will need to be completed in the initial stages, to allow access onto flights. If you are travelling a long distance after you catheter is removed, do not plan to travel home that same day. Book flights for the following day to ensure no complications arise. Your anti-embolic stockings should be worn during long distance travel (ie greater than 1 hour). Please remember to take them home with your from the hospital.
Please contact Bayside Urology if you experience any of the following after your procedure:
- Fever (temperature over 38 degrees Celsius)
- Heavy bleeding, swelling, redness or discharge from the incisions
- Foul smelling, cloudy urine
- An increase in the amount of blood in your urine
- Problems with your catheter (becomes dislodged or no urine has drained for over 2 hours)
If you experience any post operative complications please contact Dr Hadley’s office on 31637400 and for after hours please follow the prompts.
Post operative appointment
Dr Hadley will catch up with you in his rooms at your post op appointment to discuss his findings. This appointment should have already been made for you at the time of booking your procedure date.
