How you prepare

Before surgery, your doctor may want to do a test that uses a visual scope to look inside your urethra and bladder (cystoscopy). Cystoscopy lets your doctor check the size of your prostate and examine your urinary system. Your doctor may also want to perform other tests, such as blood tests or tests to specifically measure your prostate and to measure urine flow.

Follow your doctor's instructions on what to do before your treatment. Here are some issues to discuss with your doctor:

Food and medications

• Your medications. Tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements you take. This is especially important if you take blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix), and nonprescription pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others). Your surgeon may ask you to stop taking medications that increase your risk of bleeding several days before the surgery.
• Medication allergies or reactions. Talk to your care team about any allergies or reactions you have had to medications.
• Fasting before surgery. Your doctor will likely ask that you not eat or drink anything after midnight. On the morning of your procedure, take only the medications your doctor tells you to with a small sip of water.
• Bowel prep before surgery. You may be given a kit and instructions for giving yourself an enema to clear your bowels before surgery.

Clothing and personal items

Plan ahead to avoid wearing these items into surgery:

• Jewelry
• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Dentures

Arrangements after surgery

Ask your doctor how long you'll be in the hospital. You'll want to arrange in advance for a ride home, because you won't be able to drive immediately following surgery.

Activity restrictions

You may not be able to work or do strenuous activities for several weeks after surgery. Ask your doctor how much recovery time you may need.