As is the case with other minimally invasive procedures, laparoscopic prostate removal has significant advantages over traditional surgery:
- Laparoscopy can shorten your hospital stay to one or two days. About 50% of men are discharged one day after surgery. (The length of stay depends on how quickly you recover and the extent of the surgery.)
- There is much less bleeding during the operation.
- You are less likely to need prescription painkillers after you leave the hospital. Patients often need nothing more than Tylenol.
- At your follow-up appointment one week after surgery, the tube, or catheter, draining your bladder will be removed if there are no signs of other problems. Occasionally, the catheter remains in place for another week, as with conventional surgery.
- About 90% of patients can return to work or resume full activity in only two to three weeks.