Prostatectomy: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Prostatectomy?
A urologist, a surgeon who treats the urinary tract and the prostate, usually performs a prostatectomy. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove all of the prostate gland and some of the tissue around it. In radical surgery, the seminal vesicles are also removed. In simple prostatectomy, the surgeon removes only the inner part of the prostate gland. The outer part is left behind.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Radical surgery is done to treat prostate cancer. It is most often done when cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland. Your provider may talk with you about other treatments that could be good for your cancer. Simple prostatectomy is done to treat an enlarged prostate. Open simple prostatectomy is often used when the prostate is too large for less invasive surgery. It does not treat prostate cancer.
How to prepare
Common preparation steps include the following.
- You will have a complete physical exam and may have other tests.
- Tell your provider about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, even ones you bought without a prescription.
- You may be asked to stop blood thinners or other medicines that make it hard for your blood to clot. Ask which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
- If you smoke, ask your provider for help quitting. Smoking can slow healing and increase the risk for blood clots.
- On the day of surgery, follow instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
What happens during it
For these surgeries, you may have general anesthesia so that you are asleep and pain free. In laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon makes several small cuts instead of one big cut. Robotic surgery is laparoscopic surgery that is performed using a robotic system. The surgeon takes care to cause as little damage as possible to the nerves and blood vessels in the area. The surgeon may also remove lymph nodes in the pelvis to check them for cancer. A tube called a catheter is left in your urethra and bladder to drain urine. Radical surgery takes about 2 to 4 hours. In simple prostatectomy, your surgeon makes a cut in your lower belly. The bladder is opened and the prostate gland is removed through this cut. This surgery also takes about 2 to 4 hours.
Recovery
After radical surgery, most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 4 days. After laparoscopic or robotic surgery, you may go home the day after the procedure. After simple prostatectomy, you will stay in the hospital for about 2 to 4 days. After radical surgery, you will go home with a catheter to drain urine from your bladder. The catheter will be removed after 1 to 3 weeks. Do not drive for the first 3 weeks after you come home. Do not lift anything heavier than a 1-gallon (4 liters) milk jug for the first 6 weeks.
Contact your surgeon if:
- You have pain in your belly that does not go away when you take your pain medicines.
- You cannot drink or eat.
- You have signs of infection (burning sensation when you urinate, fever, or chills).
- Your urine stream is not as strong or you cannot pee at all.
- You have pain, redness, or swelling in your legs.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have:
- Bleeding that will not stop.
- Trouble breathing.
- Chest pain or discomfort lasting for two minutes or more.
- Fainting.
Risks and side effects
Risks of radical surgery include:
- Problems controlling urine (urinary incontinence).
- Erection problems.
- Injury to the rectum.
- Urethral stricture (tightening of the urinary opening due to scar tissue).
Risks of simple prostatectomy include:
- Damage to internal organs.
- Loss of the ability for sperm to leave the body resulting in infertility.
Who performs it
A urologist, a surgeon who treats the urinary tract and the prostate, performs a prostatectomy.
Common questions
How soon can I drive after radical prostatectomy?
Do not drive for the first 3 weeks after you come home.
How long does bladder leakage last after radical prostatectomy?
You should have almost normal bladder control within 3 to 6 months. Leakage should improve over time.
Is a prostatectomy always done for cancer?
No, simple prostatectomy treats an enlarged prostate.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Radical prostatectomy
- MedlinePlus - Simple prostatectomy
- MedlinePlus - Radical prostatectomy - discharge
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
