Recovery

After the procedure, you will stay in the day surgery department until you are fully awake and have had something to eat and drink.

You will probably have some discomfort in your bottom and penis. Regular painkillers (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen) usually ease this. Codeine-based tablets can be given, so please let us know if you are in pain. You might also be given alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin or alfuzosin) that relax the prostate.

Before you leave the hospital, we'll give you:

• antibiotics to take for 3 to 7 days. This reduces the risk of infection from the procedure and the catheter. You must take them as prescribed and complete the course
• an outpatient appointment to have your catheter removed, about 7 to 10 days after your treatment
• a contact number to use if you have any problems at home

If you want to have the catheter removed locally, this can be arranged through the district nurse or your GP. This should be arranged a few weeks before your HIFU treatment.

If you are having salvage HIFU, it might take longer to start peeing normally. Your doctor and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will discuss this with you before your treatment.

Please ask us for a fit note before you leave if you need to give one to your employer. You will not need a fit note if you are off work for 7 days or less.

Leaving hospital after HIFU

Most men recover from the HIFU treatment within 1 to 2 weeks. In the days after the operation, you will probably feel more tired than normal, usually because of the anaesthetic.

Your pee might be blood stained while you have your catheter in. You might also notice some debris in your pee. You might get this side effect at intervals, for up to 2 months after HIFU treatment. Your district nurse can give you general advice about your catheter.

You might pass blood, or blood clots, in your pee. If this happens, drink plenty of water and it should clear.

Having your catheter removed

We will assess how well your bladder empties when the catheter has been removed in the trial without catheter (TWOC) clinic. You should expect to be in the department for 3 to 4 hours for this appointment. This will allow time for the catheter to be removed, and for an assessment to be made that you can empty your bladder.

Follow-up appointments

Although most men can expect a cure from this treatment, some cancer cells might remain, or the cancer might come back (recur).

You will need regular check-ups and PSA blood tests after prostate cancer treatment. Usually, your PSA will be checked every 3 to 4 months for the first year, every 6 months for the next 2 years, and then one time each year.

The PSA blood tests will be done at the hospital or at your GP surgery, and we will remind you when to get them done.

An MRI scan is done after 1 year, and might be repeated. Sometimes, repeat prostate biopsies are necessary too.

At your follow-up appointments we will also ask you about any pee or erection problems you have, and offer support or treatment. If you have any difficulties with erections or peeing, you can speak to your doctor or contact your CNS.

You can read our information about recovering after prostate cancer surgery.