The prostate gland is a vital part of the male reproductive system by producing sperm-carrying fluid. It is located beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. There are conditions when you need to undergo prostate surgery. The conditions include an enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate cancer.
The surgery that removes the prostate either partially or completely is called a prostatectomy. Prostate cancer is quite common among men, and so they need to undergo surgery at some point. Everyone wants everything with the surgery to go well, but no surgery is without potential complications and risks.
But, an experienced prostate cancer surgeon in Charlotte is less likely to have complications in the process, and the surgery is carried out smoothly.
Types of prostatectomy
Before moving forward, let’s take a look at the techniques used for radical prostate surgery you can go for:
Open radical prostatectomy
It is a classical way of removing the prostate surgically. The surgeon makes an incision at the lower abdomen of the patient to remove the prostate.
Robotic prostate surgery
The surgeon makes small incisions in the lower abdomen of the patient to remove the prostate. S/he sits at a console and controls the movement of the robotic device. The device allows the surgeon to have precise movements.
Risks involved
You should be aware of the risks involved with the surgery. They include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Bleeding
- Incontinence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Narrowing of the bladder neck or urethra
But all the risks can be reduced to a minimum if you opt for the right surgeon, which will surely take some time and research.
Why does the choice of surgeon matter?
Prostate surgery is not something every surgeon can do well, especially when your long-term health is at stake. Even minor mistakes can result in lifelong disturbance of the urinary functions.
So, don’t let the diagnosis of prostate cancer pressure you into making hasty decisions without thinking it through. You must take your time to analyze everything and research about it as much as you can to make the right choice.
Prostate cancer grows slowly, but that doesn’t mean that you will put the treatment on hold. It is not recommended at all without the guidance of an experienced and trained surgeon. However, there are cases, usually, low-risk that require no treatment. If you are mindful in choosing the right surgeon, you will get better and positive outcomes.
Ways to find an expert surgeon
You don’t bump into an experienced prostate cancer surgeon while on your way to the supermarket. You need to do some hard work to find the one. Here are some of the factors that you need to look for:
- Make a list
First of all, you have to make a list of prostate surgeons that you might be interested in. After doing that, you can narrow it down to the top candidates for the surgery.
- Success rates
Pick a surgeon who has the highest success rates in prostatectomy. The surgeon should also have considerable experience in the field with good results.
- Consultation
You can make a consultation appointment with the surgeon to clear your doubts before the surgery. If you are comfortable around the surgeon, it’s a good thing. You do not need to finalize the first surgeon you contact to.
- Patient testimonials
It is the most effective method to see whether the surgeon is right for you or not. The existing and past patients can give you a lot of information about the surgeon and their after-treatment condition. In short, it will help you.
These are only some factors that may affect your choice of surgeon, there are many if counted. The primary thing is the experience that matters the most. Don’t forget to take it into account and you can hope for the best results.