Procedure prep
Fasting Before Prostate Surgery
A radical prostatectomy removes the prostate gland, most often by keyhole robotic surgery. It's done under general anesthesia with you tilted steeply head-down, so careful fasting and medication planning matter.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners and antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto). Timing is important because of bleeding and clot risk; get a clear stop/restart plan. See medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin, need a plan. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines: confirm which to take with a sip of water.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
- A new urine infection
- Blood thinners not stopped on the right schedule
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A written list of all your medicines and doses
- Any blood tests, ECG, or scans your team asked for
- Consent forms or referral letters, and allergy details
- Your prostate biopsy, MRI and PSA results
- An overnight bag (many men stay one night)
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have general anesthesia, spinal/regional, or sedation?
- Which medicines do I take or hold on the morning of surgery?
- When can I eat and drink afterward?
- Will I go home the same day, and who can drive me?
- When exactly do I stop and restart my blood thinner?
- How long will I have a urinary catheter afterward?
- Will I be tilted head-down, and is that a problem for me?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them. Saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide, your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Is prostate removal done under general anesthesia?
Yes: robotic and open prostatectomy are done under general anesthesia, so you must fast: solids about 8 hours before and clear liquids about 2 hours before your arrival time.
Why am I tilted head-down during robotic prostate surgery?
The steep head-down position lets the surgeon reach the prostate in the pelvis. Your anesthesia team manages your breathing and pressures while you're in this position. Tell them if you have glaucoma or severe reflux, which they'll take into account.
Will I go home with a catheter after prostate surgery?
Usually yes. A urinary catheter stays in for about 1–2 weeks to let the area heal, and it's removed at a follow-up visit. Your team will show you how to manage it at home.