How to Prepare for Prostate Surgery: A US Pre-Op Checklist (Underwear Included)

Picture this: you're an American guy scheduled for robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at Cleveland Clinic next month. You've got your surgery date locked in, your ride home arranged, and your boss knows you'll be out for a couple of weeks. But when you actually sit down and think about what to pack, what to buy, and what to do before you walk through those hospital doors — you draw a blank. You're not alone. Every year, roughly 300,000 American men undergo prostate surgery, according to the Urology Care Foundation, and most of them say no one handed them a practical, plain-language checklist before the procedure. This guide does exactly that. We'll walk you through the medical steps, the lifestyle adjustments, the hospital bag essentials, and — yes — the right underwear to have waiting for you at home. Because solid prostate surgery preparation isn't just about what happens in the OR. It's about setting yourself up for the smoothest possible recovery from day one.

Understanding What Happens During Robotic Prostatectomy

What RALP Actually Involves

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy — most surgeons and patients just call it RALP — is now the most common surgical approach for treating localized prostate cancer in the United States. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), robotic prostatectomy accounts for the vast majority of radical prostatectomies performed domestically. During the procedure, a surgeon uses a robotic system to remove the prostate gland through several small incisions in the abdomen. Because those incisions are small, blood loss is typically lower and hospital stays are shorter than with open surgery — often just one night.

Here's the piece most men aren't fully prepared for: the temporary side effects. The Mayo Clinic notes that urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are the two most common side effects following prostatectomy. Urinary leakage after surgery happens because the muscles and nerves controlling bladder function are located right next to the prostate. When the gland is removed, those structures need time to heal and relearn their jobs. For most men, leakage improves significantly within three to twelve months. Knowing this ahead of time — and preparing for it practically — makes a huge difference in how you experience recovery.

Your Medical Pre-Op Checklist: What to Do Before Surgery Day

Prostate surgery preparation starts weeks before you arrive at the hospital. Work through this checklist with your urologist and primary care physician well in advance.

Schedule your pre-op appointment. Most hospital systems, including Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, require a pre-operative medical evaluation one to four weeks before surgery. This typically includes bloodwork, an EKG, a chest X-ray, and a review of all current medications. Don't skip this — it's where potential complications get caught early.

Review your medications with your doctor. The AUA recommends stopping blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, and NSAIDs before surgery. Your surgeon will give you a specific timeline. Never stop prescription medications on your own — always confirm with your care team first.

Arrange for autologous blood donation if recommended. For RALP, this is less commonly needed than with open surgery, but ask your surgeon directly. Cleveland Clinic's pre-op guidelines suggest discussing this at your pre-surgical visit.

Confirm your anesthesia consultation. You'll typically meet with an anesthesiologist before surgery to discuss your health history, allergies, and any previous reactions to anesthesia.

Follow bowel prep instructions. Your surgical team will likely ask you to follow a liquid diet the day before surgery and may prescribe a bowel prep solution. Follow these instructions exactly — this is not optional.

Stop eating and drinking at midnight. Standard pre-op protocol in virtually every US hospital system requires no food or water after midnight the night before surgery. Your anesthesiologist will confirm the exact cutoff.

Arrange transportation and a caregiver. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home after surgery. The National Association for Continence (NAFC) also strongly recommends having a caregiver present for at least the first 24 to 48 hours at home.

What to Pack for Prostate Surgery: Your Hospital Bag List

Your hospital stay after RALP is typically short — often just one night — but what you bring matters. Here's what to pack for prostate surgery.

Insurance cards and photo ID. Bring your Medicare card, supplemental insurance card, or private insurance card. Hospital admissions in the US require this documentation regardless of whether you pre-registered online.

A list of all medications and supplements. Write it down or print it out. Include dosages and the name of the prescribing physician. Your surgical team needs this information.

Advance directive and healthcare proxy documents. If you have a living will or have designated a healthcare power of attorney, bring copies. Most US hospitals will ask.

Comfortable, loose clothing for discharge. You'll leave the hospital with a urinary catheter in place — typically for one to two weeks post-surgery. Loose sweatpants or athletic shorts are far more comfortable than jeans. Skip anything with a tight waistband.

Basic toiletries. Toothbrush, lip balm, phone charger. You don't need much for a one-night stay, but these small comforts matter.

Entertainment for the waiting room. Between check-in and surgery, and during any post-op observation period, you'll have a lot of waiting. Download podcasts, audiobooks, or shows in advance — hospital Wi-Fi is unreliable.

A small notebook or notes app. You'll receive a lot of discharge instructions. Write down or photograph everything your nurse tells you, including when to call the doctor, catheter care, and activity restrictions.

Managing Incontinence After Surgery: Why the Right Underwear Matters

This is the part most pre-op guides leave out entirely, and it's arguably the most practical section of this whole checklist. According to the NIH and the Urology Care Foundation, nearly all men experience some degree of urinary leakage immediately after prostate surgery. For many, this is temporary — but "temporary" can mean weeks or several months. Having the right supplies at home before you leave the hospital is not pessimistic. It's smart planning.

When the catheter comes out — usually one to two weeks post-surgery — you'll likely need absorbent underwear right away. Cheap disposable pads stuffed into regular briefs are uncomfortable, bunch up, and don't hold up well during daily activity. What most men actually need is a well-designed absorbent garment they can wear with confidence.

That's where Orykas men's incontinence boxer briefs come in. Designed specifically for men managing post-surgical and ongoing urinary leakage, these boxer briefs are made from certified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 bamboo fiber — which means they've been independently tested and verified to be free of harmful substances. That matters when you're wearing something against healing skin for hours at a time.

Bamboo fiber is naturally moisture-wicking, breathable, and softer than cotton, which helps reduce skin irritation — a real concern during extended recovery. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification ensures the fabric meets strict human-ecological requirements set by one of the most recognized textile safety standards in the world. For men with sensitive post-surgical skin, that's not a marketing claim — it's a measurable standard.

Beyond the fabric, fit matters. Our absorbent boxer briefs for men are cut to look and feel like regular underwear, which supports the psychological side of recovery. Feeling like yourself — or as close to it as possible — while your body heals makes a meaningful difference in how men experience this transition.

Order a few pairs before your surgery date so they're waiting for you when you get home. Don't wait until the day the catheter comes out to scramble for supplies.

If you're also working with a physical therapist on pelvic floor exercises — which the AUA and Cleveland Clinic both recommend starting before and after surgery — note that bamboo fiber boxer briefs like these can be worn comfortably during those exercises, unlike bulkier adult diaper-style products.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does urinary incontinence last after prostate surgery?

Recovery timelines vary significantly between individuals. According to the Urology Care Foundation, most men see meaningful improvement in urinary control within 6 to 12 months after surgery. Some men regain full control within a few weeks; others take longer. Factors that influence recovery include age, pre-surgical bladder function, surgeon experience, and whether nerve-sparing techniques were used. Starting pelvic floor exercises before surgery — with guidance from a physical therapist — has been shown to shorten recovery time, per Mayo Clinic research.

When can I start pelvic floor exercises before surgery?

Most urologists and physical therapists recommend starting Kegel exercises several weeks before your scheduled prostatectomy. Cleveland Clinic's pre-surgical protocols note that men who begin pelvic floor muscle training before surgery often regain continence faster after catheter removal. Ask your care team for a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist — this is a covered service under most US insurance plans and Medicare when prescribed by a physician.

Will I need a catheter after surgery, and for how long?

Yes. After robotic prostatectomy, virtually all patients go home with a urinary catheter in place. It allows the connection between the bladder and the urethra to heal before urine flows through normally. Most men have the catheter removed at a follow-up appointment one to two weeks after surgery. Your surgical team will provide detailed catheter care instructions at discharge — follow them carefully to reduce infection risk.

What activity restrictions apply after RALP?

Your surgeon will provide specific restrictions, but general guidelines from the AUA and Mayo Clinic include: no lifting more than 10 to 15 pounds for four to six weeks, no driving while the catheter is in place or while taking narcotic pain medications, and a gradual return to walking starting within the first few days post-surgery. Most men return to desk work within two to four weeks. Strenuous exercise and sexual activity are typically cleared at the six-week post-op visit, depending on individual recovery progress.

Conclusion

Prostate surgery is one of the most significant medical events a man will face, but solid preparation takes a lot of the anxiety out of the unknown. Work through your medical checklist early, pack your hospital bag with the practical items that actually matter, and — crucially — have your recovery supplies lined up before you come home. That includes absorbent, well-made underwear that will support you from the moment the catheter comes out through however many weeks or months your recovery takes.

If you're ready to take care of that last piece of the checklist, start with Orykas. Our men's incontinence boxer briefs are designed for real recovery — OEKO-TEX® certified, made from soft bamboo fiber, and built to fit like regular underwear. One less thing to worry about on surgery day.

One more thing worth knowing: incontinence underwear may qualify for reimbursement through your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Check with your HSA or FSA plan administrator for current eligibility guidelines — it's a practical way to offset the cost of recovery supplies you're going to need anyway.