What to wear after prostate surgery

Undergoing a surgical procedure can be stressful.  Therefore, concerns about what to expect both before and after surgery are fundamental for most patients, including men preparing for prostate surgery.

Surgery for prostate cancer is called a prostatectomy. There are three types of prostatectomy prostate cancer surgeries, men, along with their urologist, will decide as the best option: Open prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostatectomy, and robotic radical prostatectomy. Each of these three surgeries involves removing the entire prostate gland to leave the patient cancer-free and for restoring a man’s urinary and sexual functioning. 

First days after prostate cancer surgery

Suppose you are preparing for prostate cancer surgery. In that case, you may have many concerns, such as pain after surgery, what it will be like wearing a temporary catheter, and worries over regaining urinary control and satisfying sex life. But, another concern is what to wear after prostate surgery. While your clothing choices after prostate cancer surgery may seem insignificant, it does matter in improving your ability to care for the healing of the surgical site and your quality of life after the procedure. 

Clothing choices start at the pre-operative stage. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown before undergoing anesthesia. After prostate surgery, you will likely wake up feeling gassy and bloated in your lower abdomen, and notice some fluid weight gain. This temporary weight gain is from a shift in gas and fluids during the surgery.

Since your belly will be somewhat swollen, bring loose-fitting clothing, such as easy-to-pull-on sweatpants or shorts, with stretchy elastic waistbands. This type of clothing will make pulling them on and off much easier than jeans or pants with a zipper and will accommodate a catheter and collection bag you will wear after the surgery. 

When you get home

Once discharged from the hospital and arriving home, to help drain urine from the bladder, you will have a foley catheter in place. The incision site will also need special care for the first couple of days after surgery to promote healing. To avoid unnecessary disturbance of the surgical site, wear comfortable clothing. Avoid tight underwear and opt for loose-fitting boxer shorts and a loose-fitting T-shirt. 

Some men have found wearing a men’s nightshirt or side-snap workout pants allow easy access to the catheter and urine bag, and care of the surgical site.

Men’s underwear after prostate surgery

There are boxer briefs designed specifically for men after recovering from prostate cancer surgery.  These boxer briefs are comfortable, support your manhood, and are made from moisture-wicking fabric that stays odor free.  Ask your urologist about this type of boxer brief before your surgery to have it ready to wear once you return home. 

Men can also choose to wear disposable underwear that is absorbent for situations of urinary incontinence. Unfortunately, urinary incontinence is expected, but usually resolves after weeks to several months.    

Other clothes to wear after prostate surgery

Staying comfortable the first week after prostate surgery begins with wearing comfortable clothing. Depending on your situation and when you plan to return to work, keep wearing clothing such as sweatpants or shorts to reduce any pressure in the surgical site area. 

Once all swelling has gone down, your catheter is removed, and urinary continence is back, you can gradually go back to wearing the type of clothing you once wore before the procedure with your doctor’s approval.