Before your operation for prostate cancer

Before surgery, you have tests to check your fitness. This pre-op assessment usually happens a couple of weeks or a few days before your operation. Then you usually go into hospital on the morning of your operation. 

Most people are in hospital for around 2 days. The length of your stay depends on the type of operation you have and your recovery.

Tests to check you are fit for surgery

You have tests before your operation to check:

• your fitness for an anaesthetic if you need one 
• that you'll make a good recovery from surgery 

You might not need all of these tests if you had them when you were diagnosed. Tests include:

• blood tests to check your general health and how well your kidneys are working 
• an ECG to check your heart is healthy 
• breathing tests (called lung function tests) 
• an echocardiogram (a painless test of your heart using sound waves) 
• a chest x-ray to check your lungs are healthy 

Outpatient clinic appointment

Your clinic appointment is a chance to find out about treatment options. You meet members of your treatment team at this appointment. Before you have any operation, you need to sign a consent form. You might do this at this appointment, or afterwards. 

Ask lots of questions. It helps to write down all your questions beforehand to take with you. And you can write down notes in case you forget some of the detail.

You can ask more questions when you go into hospital so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.

At the hospital you might meet:

The surgeon

A member of the surgical team will tell you about:

• the treatment options available to you
• the benefits of having surgery
• the possible risks
• what to expect afterwards

The clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

The CNS can explain your treatment options to you. They can tell you about surgery, the recovery and answer any questions you have. The will also check what help and support you have to see what you will need when you go home. They are your point of contact and care for you throughout your treatment.

Pre assessment clinic

You usually have a pre operative assessment appointment while you are waiting for your operation. This might be by telephone. Or you might come to the hospital.

The assessment is to make sure you are well enough to have the anaesthetic and operation. It is also to give you information on how to prepare for surgery.

The hospital might ask you to fill out a questionnaire before your appointment. This asks about your general health and any medication you take. It helps the pre operative assessment team decide who you need to see at your appointment. The team can include:

• nurses
• anaesthetists 
• medical doctors
• surgeons
• pharmacists
• the pain management team
• other health professionals

Who you see at your assessment depends on factors including:

• your general health
• what operation you are having

Before you go into hospital

It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:

• taking time off work
• care for children or other loved ones
• care for your pets
• care for your house
• cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries

What to take with you

Take in:

• pyjamas
• underwear
• dressing gown
• slippers
• contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case
• wash bag – flannel, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
• razor
• towel
• small amount of money
• medicines you normally take
• magazines, books
• headphones and music to listen to
• a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls

Most people only stay in hospital for one night. So you might not need everything on this list.

Family and friends

Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:

• whether the ward is allowing visitors
• if they have set visiting times
• the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are

The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.

You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.