Deciding on a prostate procedure can be difficult as there are multiple types available for the treatment of prostate issues. Each surgery has unique benefits and risks. Some of the less invasive procedures have a quicker recovery time, but they are not appropriate for the treatment of cancer. The more invasive procedures can cause long term complications, but those issues must be weighed against the risk of leaving prostate cancer untreated.
Your choice of surgeon may be the most important decision you make, even more so than the type of procedure. The more skilled the surgeon, preferably with extensive experience performing hundreds or even thousands of procedures just like yours, the less likely you are to experience erectile dysfunction due to nerve damage.
In addition to selecting a highly skilled surgeon, it is important to work with your surgeon to select the best procedure for your unique needs. Some procedures are used to shrink prostate tissue, others remove a portion or all of the prostate and may be used to treat cancer.
All surgeries have an element of risk, prostate surgery has some specific risks in addition to the more general risks of a surgical procedure.
