Prostatectomy ERAS

Prostatectomy – surgery to remove part or all of your prostate – is a treatment for prostate cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Our prostatectomy ERAS program is designed to help patients return to health more quickly after undergoing the surgery.

Before Surgery

• Your surgeon will meet with you to explain surgical plans and set expectations for your surgery.
  • If questions arise, contact your surgeon via MyChart or call the Surgery Clinic: 214-645-8765.
• You will receive instructions for surgery and medications before surgery. You might also be scheduled for an appointment in our Pre-Surgical Testing Clinic to meet with our anesthesia team or have bloodwork drawn.
  • We may request testing or records from your other physicians.
  • Call our Pre-Surgical Testing Clinic with any questions: 214-633-4202.
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • You must stop smoking for one month prior to surgery, and we encourage you to stop consuming alcohol for one month prior to surgery.
  • We encourage you to increase your physical activity prior to surgery.
  • Eat a balanced, healthy diet and remain hydrated throughout the months leading up to surgery.
• On the night before surgery:
  • Do not eat solid foods after 7p.m.
  • You can drink clear liquids (such as water, Gatorade, or Sprite) until two hours before your surgery start time.
• On the day of surgery:
  • Drink 20 ounces of a liquid carbohydrate (such as Gatorade or Powerade) on the way to the hospital, at least two hours before your surgery start time. These 20 ounces of fluid are the only liquids you are allowed on the day of your procedure. It must be consumed prior to your arrival at the hospital.
  • In the pre-op area, you will receive non-narcotic pain medications (acetaminophen) to reduce your postoperative pain. If you are at high risk for nausea, you might be given medicines before surgery to decrease this risk.
  • You will also receive a muscle relaxer and may get an anticoagulant if your surgeon recommends it.

During Surgery

• You will receive general anesthesia.
• Your anesthesia team will monitor you very closely during the surgery and will insert additional intravenous (IV) lines if necessary.
• You will receive multiple medications during surgery to treat pain and nausea, as well as medications to reduce risks of infections.
• There will be a specific and tailored anesthetic protocol to decrease the stress on your body, improve pain, and accelerate your recovery.
• Local anesthetics will be placed at the surgical site by your surgeon. This is designed to decrease your postoperative pain and need for IV and oral pain medications.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and After

• You will wake up in our Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
• You will be asked to drink clear liquids to help with recovery of bowel function.
• You will be given an incentive spirometer to remind you to take deep breaths.
• You may experience discomfort from the Foley catheter used to drain urine during the procedure.
• Beginning on the day of surgery, it will be important for you to get out of bed and walk with help from your nurse or therapist.
• Unless instructed otherwise by your nurse or surgeon, you should be able to eat a normal diet a few hours after surgery.
• You will take scheduled non-opioid pain medications during your recovery and have narcotic medications available for breakthrough pain, if necessary.