Undergoing prostate surgery is a major step towards improving your health, and proper nutrition plays a crucial role in your recovery. This article provides expert guidance on what to eat after prostate surgery to support healing, regain strength, and maintain overall well-being.
Why is Healthy Eating Important?
Improved nutrition reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, and usually improves overall quality of life. It’s estimated that one-third of cancer deaths of adults in the United States may be linked to poor diet, including diet’s effect on obesity. A healthy diet helps to increase energy levels, facilitate recovery, and enhance the immune system.
It’s important to evaluate diet choices when it comes to risk of prostate cancer. Research is continually being conducted on foods and diets that may reduce or increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Nutrition Before Treatment
Recent studies have indicated that the risk of dying from prostate cancer is more than double in obese men diagnosed with the disease compared with men of normal weight at the time of diagnosis. Obese men with local or regional disease have been shown to have nearly four times the risk of their cancer spreading beyond the prostate or metastasizing. Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight is a great goal to have to improve your overall health which can have a positive effect on your prostate cancer journey. Healthy weight and diet that consists of vitamins, minerals, high-fiber, low sugar, and hydration is a great goal to have before beginning prostate cancer treatment.
Nutrition During Treatment
Prostate cancer treatment may affect your appetite, eating habits, and weight, but it is important for you to maintain a healthy weight, get essential nutrients, and remain as physically active as possible.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Diet and nutrition tips while in treatment:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- For some men, this means avoiding weight loss by getting enough calories on a daily basis.
- For men who are overweight and are obese, this may mean losing some weight. If you are trying to lose weight, it should be moderate, meaning only about a pound a week.
- Get essential nutrients the body needs, such as protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water. Not only will your body function better, you will feel better.
- Protein can be especially important during some treatments. Get your protein from foods such as fish, egg whites, cheese, beans, or high protein smoothies.
- Be as active as you can, such as taking a daily walk. If you sit or sleep too much, you may lose muscle mass and increase your body fat, even if you are not gaining weight.
- Discuss the nutrition-related side effects for your chosen treatment with your doctor, dietitian, or nutritionist. Some side effects may be treated with medication.
Treatment and Diet-Related Side Effects
Each treatment can present different nutritional side effects. It’s important to discuss these side effects and understand them prior to treatment. It is possible for the side effects of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to cause you to lose your appetite, eat less, and lose weight. If you have difficulty eating due to side effects from treatment, there are ways to make eating more comfortable.
Surgery/Prostatectomy
Protein and micronutrient consumption is required for healing.
Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals that our bodies do not produce, with the exception of Vitamin D. These vitamins and minerals need to come from our diets.
Getting nutrients from the source is recommended over supplements.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Radiation Therapy
Consider probiotic and/or anti-diarrheal medication to lessen gas and diarrhea.
Always consult your care team to confirm use and dosages.
Modify fiber and fat intake to help against rectal urgency and loose stool.
Hormone Therapy/Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)
- Bone loss
- Consume 1000-1200mg of calcium daily
- Adequate Vitamin D level (>30ng/ml)
- Ask care team about daily vitamin D supplements to maintain normal levels
- Weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and heart disease
- Weight management interventions with diet and physical activity to reduce cardiovascular risk
- Monitor need to regulate carbohydrates intake
- Hot flashes
- Maintain healthy weight, add moderate aerobic exercise, and limit or avoid hot beverages, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and smoking to reduce severity of symptoms
- Loss of muscle
- Consider protein supplements
- Preliminary evidence suggests that supplementation may assist with muscle protein synthesis, especially when combined with resistance exercise
- Anemia
- Talk to your care team about maximizing iron absorption and consuming adequate iron.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can cause nausea, mouth sores, and taste changes that may make it difficult to eat or drink.
- If water tastes unpleasant to you, take in more liquid though items such as soup, tea, milk or milk alternatives, a sports drink, or flavor your water by adding fresh cut fruit.
- If food tastes bland, try seasoning it with flavorful spices such as garlic, cayenne, dill, and rosemary.
- Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of trying to eat large amounts of food at one time.
- Suck on mints, chew on gum, or try fresh citrus fruits if you have a metallic taste in your mouth. Brushing your teeth before eating, using plastic utensils, and cooking in glassware can also help.
- If you have mouth sores or a gum infection, use a blender to make vegetables and meats smooth. Try making smoothies with both fruits and veggies.
Meeting with a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RDN) can be very helpful for you and your caregiver(s). RDNs can help you plan what to eat and what foods to limit or avoid. They can also provide help if you are losing or gaining weight due to treatment. RDNs can be beneficial for caregivers as a resource to provide practical education and support, including meal plans and healthy recipes to make (or request from friends) if their loved one is unable to do so.
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP
Nutrition After Treatment
Once you have finished treatment, it is just as important to maintain a healthy diet and weight as it was before and during treatment. After treatment, continue to follow a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and other unprocessed, low-fat foods to help you regain strength. Healthy eating can also reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
Recent research suggests that making healthy food choices in your survivorship may lower your risk of recurrence and help you live longer. According to many experts, the types of foods that may help prevent prostate cancer are the same ones that may protect against prostate cancer recurrence. These experts recommend:
- plant-based foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
- lean protein
- low-fat dairy products
- avoiding highly processed foods and red meats as much as possible
Essential Post-Prostate Surgery Nutrition Tips
Undergoing prostate surgery is a significant step toward managing prostate cancer and improving your overall health. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in the recovery process. After prostate surgery, your body needs essential nutrients to heal, regain strength, and maintain overall well-being.
Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is essential for tissue repair and muscle recovery after surgery. Lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish provide high-quality protein without excess fat. Eggs, tofu, and legumes are valuable alternatives for those preferring plant-based options. Aim for moderate portions spread through meals to aid constant recovery support. Protein also helps maintain energy levels during the healing period.
Fruits and Vegetables
Colorful fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your immune system and aid in healing. Vegetables such as spinach, kale, carrots, and bell peppers are rich in these nutrients and antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Citrus fruits and berries provide vitamin C, which aids collagen formation.
Whole Grains
Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, and whole wheat bread provide sustained energy and essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy Fats
Include sources of healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil in your diet to support inflammation reduction and promote heart health.
Dairy and Calcium-Rich Foods
Calcium is crucial for bone health, especially after surgery. Dairy or fortified non-dairy alternatives supply vitamin D and calcium necessary for overall health.
Hydrating Beverages
Staying hydrated is essential for optimal recovery after surgery. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain hydration levels and support healing. Aim for at least 8 cups of fluids daily, primarily water or electrolyte-balanced drinks. Monitoring urine color can help assess hydration status; pale yellow indicates adequate intake, while dark urine may signal dehydration.
Small, Frequent Meals
After surgery, you may experience appetite changes or difficulty eating large meals. Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of trying to eat large amounts of food at one time. Meal portions should be small and frequent to encourage digestion.
Avoid Irritating Foods
Some foods may irritate your digestive system or exacerbate urinary symptoms after prostate surgery.
Foods that irritate the bladder should be strictly avoided. Acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits can worsen burning or urgency symptoms. Spicy foods and those containing artificial sweeteners or preservatives also increase irritation. Red meat and fried foods contain saturated fats that may promote inflammation. Full-fat dairy products should be limited for similar reasons.
Both alcohol and caffeine are bladder irritants and diuretics. They can increase urinary frequency and urgency, delaying tissue repair and causing discomfort. Coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks contain caffeine and should be consumed sparingly or eliminated. Alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits, should be avoided entirely during the initial recovery phase.
Nutrient-Dense Snacks
Keep nutrient-dense snacks on hand for quick and easy nourishment between meals. Mid-morning snacks can be simple, like applesauce or yogurt.
Listen to Your Body
Above all, listen to your body's cues and make adjustments to your diet as needed based on how you're feeling.
Immediate Post-Surgical Nutrition
Proper nutrition immediately after HoLEP laser surgery supports healing and reduces postoperative discomfort. Patients should focus initially on gentle foods and careful fluid management while monitoring how their body responds.
Clear Liquid Diet Guidelines
Right after surgery, a clear liquid diet is often recommended to prevent nausea and ease digestion. This includes water, broth, clear juices without pulp, and herbal teas. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary beverages, as they can irritate the bladder or cause dehydration. Drinking small, frequent amounts helps maintain hydration without overwhelming the stomach. Patients should watch for any signs of nausea or vomiting and adjust intake accordingly. If tolerated well, clear liquids can be gradually increased in volume throughout the day.
Transitioning to Soft Foods
Once clear liquids are well tolerated, soft foods can be introduced to provide more nutrients and protein to promote healing. Suitable options include yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and cooked cereals. Soft foods should be bland and low in spice or acidity to avoid bladder irritation. Lean proteins like poultry or fish, when soft and tender, help rebuild tissue without causing discomfort. Meal portions should be small and frequent to encourage digestion. Patients are advised to avoid heavy, greasy, or high-fiber foods until fully recovered.
Foods and Ingredients to Avoid
After HoLEP laser surgery, certain foods and ingredients can hinder recovery by causing irritation, swelling, or other complications. It is important to identify and avoid these to support healing and maintain comfort.
Limiting Salt and Spices
Excessive salt intake can cause fluid retention and increase bladder pressure. Highly salted snacks, processed meats, and canned foods often contain high sodium levels and should be avoided. Spices such as chili powder, black pepper, and hot sauces can provoke bladder spasms or irritate the urinary tract lining. Patients should opt for mild seasoning alternatives like herbs or small amounts of garlic. Reducing salt and spicy ingredients lowers the risk of inflammation and bladder discomfort during the recovery period.
Creating a Sustainable Meal Plan
A meal plan after HoLEP surgery should emphasize hydration, gentle digestion, and balanced nutrition. Meals should provide essential vitamins and minerals while avoiding irritants that could affect recovery. Planning ensures consistent nutrient intake and reduces stress.
Sample Day-by-Day Post-HoLEP Menus
A typical day begins with hydrating fluids such as water or herbal tea. Breakfast may include oatmeal with banana slices and a small handful of nuts for fiber and potassium. Mid-morning snacks can be simple, like applesauce or yogurt. Lunch often consists of steamed vegetables, a lean protein like baked chicken breast, and whole grains such as brown rice or quinoa. Dinner should be light but nutrient-rich, for example, grilled fish with sautéed spinach and sweet potatoes. Avoid spicy, acidic, or heavily processed foods throughout the day. Small, frequent meals reduce bladder irritation and promote steady energy levels.
Adapting to Dietary Preferences
Patients should modify their diet to suit preferences or restrictions without sacrificing nutritional goals. Vegetarians can substitute animal proteins with legumes, tofu, or tempeh to ensure adequate protein intake. Those lactose intolerant might opt for dairy alternatives fortified with calcium. For individuals sensitive to certain vegetables, it is essential to choose low-fiber or cooked options to ease digestion. Hydration should always include non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic fluids to prevent irritation. Meal plans need to balance preferences while maintaining a focus on nutrient density and gentle digestion to support healing.
Meal Preparation Tips
Preparing meals in advance minimizes physical strain during recovery. Cooking in bulk and freezing portions can be helpful, allowing easy access to balanced meals. Simple recipes with few ingredients reduce preparation time. Using a slow cooker or steaming vegetables preserves nutrients and avoids added fats. Keeping meals visually appealing with colorful vegetables encourages consistent intake. Ensuring proper food safety, like washing produce thoroughly and storing foods at correct temperatures, reduces the risk of infection, which is critical post-surgery.
Long-Term Dietary Adjustments and Follow-Up
After HoLEP surgery, patients must carefully manage their diet to support healing and maintain urinary health. They should reintroduce foods thoughtfully, watch for signs of complications related to diet, and maintain regular communication with healthcare providers to optimize recovery.
Gradual Reintroduction of Foods
Patients are encouraged to slowly reintroduce solid foods after initial healing, starting with easy-to-digest, low-irritant options such as cooked vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol should be avoided initially as they may irritate the bladder or urinary tract. Hydration is vital; plenty of water supports healing and helps prevent urinary infections. Tracking tolerance by introducing one food at a time can help identify any that cause discomfort or irritation.
Recognizing Signs of Dietary Complications
Patients should be alert for symptoms indicating possible dietary issues. These include increased urinary urgency, burning during urination, blood in the urine, or abdominal discomfort after eating certain foods. Persistent bladder irritation despite dietary adjustments may suggest the need for further evaluation. Any new or worsening digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea should be monitored, as these can affect recovery. Early recognition allows timely management and may require dietary changes or medical intervention.
General Post-Operative Care and Precautions
Urinary Catheter
If you have undergone TURP (transureteral resection of the prostate), you will need to wear a catheter for several days after surgery to drain urine and help your prostate to heal. You will be discharged with a Foley catheter, a tube that continuously drains urine from your bladder into a bag and that you will use for seven to 10 days. Before you leave the hospital, your nurse will teach you how to empty and care for your catheter and drainage bag. The catheter works with gravity and should be draining urine at all times, so you have to keep the drainage bag below your bladder at all times, even when you shower. If your urine is not draining, lower the bag and check the connection for kinks or loops. Loops can cause an air lock that prevents drainage. You can also try emptying the bag. Then try briefly disconnecting the catheter from the clear plastic tubing to allow a little air into the system. To prevent infection, you must keep your catheter clean. Twice a day (morning and evening), use soap, warm water and a clean washcloth to clean the skin around your urinary meatus (the opening on the penis where urine comes out). Wash gently in a circular motion, moving away from the meatus. Hold the end of the catheter tube to keep it from being tugged while cleaning. Wash around the catheter to remove any blood, crust or mucus, and also gently clean the catheter itself of any built-up fluid or crust. Always wash the area around your anus last. Rinse, then pat dry your genital area and catheter with a clean towel. If you are uncircumcised, retract your foreskin, clean around and under it, dry the area, and return the foreskin to its original position. You should empty the catheter bag when it's half full. Attach the leg bag to the catheter and to your leg. Apply skin protectant to this patch of clean, dry skin. The catheter bag should be changed halfway through the time the catheter is in place. The smaller, more easily hidden leg bag is available should you need it, but you'll need to check and empty it more frequently than the larger bag.
Sexual Activity
It is important to avoid sexual relations until you have finished your recovery after surgery. The time you have to wait will depend directly on how your state of health progresses.
Physical Activity
Early walking is the key for fast recovery and return to bowel activity. You can start daily activities (such as walking and climbing stairs) immediately when you get home. However, you should wait three to four weeks before beginning any heavy exercise, such as jogging, weight lifting, and bicycle riding. You should refrain from vigorous activity (running, bicycling and heavy lifting) for 6 weeks after your surgery.
Incisions
Clean your incisions (surgical cuts) with soap and water every day. You may have some blood or fluid coming from your incisions. Leave the bandages on the skin incisions for three to four days. A “skin glue” is used to cover the incision, so it is okay to get the incisions wet. Redness greater than ½ inch from the incision should be reported to Dr. If you had an abdominal drain removed before your left the hospital, then it is recommended that you keep a gauze secured with some tape (both of which are provided before you leave the hospital) to prevent your clothes from getting wet. It is common and normal to drain quite a bit the first few days. It will eventually stop. To shower, please remove the gauze and shower with soap and water. Don’t avoid cleaning the incision. After the shower, re-cover the incision if it is still draining. It takes three to four weeks for the abdominal incisions to heal completely, so you should avoid heavy lifting during that time. You may have some swelling in the scrotum and penis after surgery, which will resolve with time. You can shower any time after surgery, but do not take a bath until after the urine catheter is removed.
Constipation
Take a stool softener every 8 hours with a glass of water until your bowel movements are normal. Constipation is a common side effect of pain medications and surgery. To prevent constipation, we recommend drinking at least eight to 10 glasses of fluids each day and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Take your stool softener and laxative as prescribed. If you haven't had a bowel movement by day three after your surgery, take oral Miralax (dissolvable powder), an over-the-counter laxative. You can combine Miralax with the prescribed stool softener and laxative. Follow the instructions on the box. Do not use any enemas or take stronger laxatives, such as magnesium citrate. It can take at least two weeks for normal bowel function to return. To avoid irritating the surgery site, do not strain when trying to defecate. Straining can lead to increased pain, bleeding and delayed recovery.