I a, in next week for my 1st TURBT, to remove a one cm non invasive tumour. How long do you think it will take to recover from the operation and feel slightly normalish.
Hi Leo. My BCG nurse often reminds me that our experiences through the recovery and treatment can be very individual so keep this in mind. After the TURBT and recovery from the anaesthesia (approximately, 24 hours), the burning in the urethra will lessen over 2-3 days by drinking a lot of water and passing it. The first two days are the most difficult. I needed a full week to feel well enough to go out and try to be a little more active. I often complained afterward of the persistence for weeks of mild pain/discomfort in the glans and near the prostate as I naively assumed that I would feel completely normal within a week or two after the TURBT. The actual time in total for me was closer to 10-12 weeks. I think most males will not openly acknowledge this ongoing effect even on this forum, but I was very concerned that my “slower healing” may have indicated another serious health problem. I was reassured on this forum that my experience was not unique and thankfully, my urinary system did return to normal over time. The procedures of diagnosis and treatment (cystoscopy, TURBT, irrigation catheter, and later BCG through a catheter for six weeks for me) stretch and irritate the urethra especially in a male, and in particular in the glans and below the prostate where the urethra is narrowest (I learned this later on my own. It would have been helpful earlier if I didn’t have to find this information on my own). Ironically, the least discomfort I experienced was in the bladder. I believe my bladder tumour was around 1 1/2 cm at least according to what I read in earlier CT scans (similar to you?), and non muscle invasive (I learned 4 weeks after the TURBT). Your experience from TURBT may be similar to mine.
I had a three cm tumor removed, spent overnight in hospital and went home the next day.
I was signed off work for two weeks, which I thought seemed a little excessive but was very glad I was signed off.
However after the two weeks I was ready to go back to work.
I still wasn't 100% for a while, but the pain from weeing did get better fairly quickly. I did continue to see blood and bits in my wee for a few weeks which can be a shock.
I found I got tired during the first couple of weeks and slept a bit more than usual.
Overall it wasn't too bad thinking back.
Unfortunately they needed to go back in after 6 weeks which I understand is fairly common. So had to go through the process again.
I now have biopsy TURBTS every three months, but I don't stay overnight anymore and I'm back to normal a lot quicker.
Obviously everyone is different, but overall my experience wasn't too bad ( easier to say now after the event).
I hope yours goes well and you're back to normal as soon as possible.
