Have you recently had a Green Light Laser Prostatectomy, or are you preparing for one? You’re probably wondering what to expect next — from catheters to recovery time, and even when it’s safe to return to normal activities like work, exercise, and sex.

With nearly two decades of experience performing this procedure and caring for over 2,000 men, I’ve gathered some of the most common questions patients ask — and the answers that will help guide your recovery with confidence.

To understand recovery, it helps to picture the prostate like a donut. The urine pipe runs through the middle, and as we age, that “donut” grows inward — squeezing the flow of urine and forcing the bladder to work harder. Over time, the bladder muscle thickens and becomes less flexible, which leads to frequent urination, urgency, and night-time trips to the toilet.

Green Light Laser Surgery removes the obstructing tissue to open the channel, but both the prostate and bladder need time to heal.

Most men notice a stronger urine flow within the first week.
However, bladder symptoms — such as rushing to the toilet or getting up at night — may take up to three months to fully improve.

The recovery can take longer if:

Remember: improvement is gradual, but steady.

In the first few weeks, try to reduce anything that irritates the bladder:

You’re not damaging anything — you’re just giving your bladder the best chance to settle.

Every man has a catheter overnight after surgery.
Most can have it removed the next morning, but if your prostate was very large or your bladder was weak before surgery, you might need it for a few extra days.

We check that you can empty your bladder properly before sending you home — using a quick ultrasound after each void.

You can usually resume sexual activity about two weeks after surgery.

It’s important to know that after procedures like Green Light Laser, most men experience retrograde ejaculation (a “dry orgasm”). This means semen goes backwards into the bladder instead of out through the penis.

It’s harmless, but permanent. Some men find it doesn’t affect pleasure, while others notice it feels a bit different or less intense.

If your job is desk-based or light duty, you can usually return after a week.
Avoid strenuous work or anything that causes straining — doing too much too soon can lead to bleeding or a setback in healing.

Yes.
Seeing some blood in your urine is very common for several weeks after surgery. Remember, we’ve removed tissue from inside the prostate — like a healing ulcer inside your body.

It may come and go, especially after walking, lifting, or opening your bowels. Stay hydrated and things will settle with time.

If you’re concerned, collect a urine sample in a clear container, take a photo, and send it to the clinic for review — we’re happy to check it.

Around two weeks after surgery, you may notice small pieces of tissue or “flaky” material in your urine. This is part of the normal healing process — similar to a scab lifting off. It can be accompanied by a small amount of blood. Just keep your fluids up and allow your body to flush it out naturally.

Every man’s recovery journey is unique. While this guide covers what most men experience, your own timeline may differ slightly. If you have any concerns — whether it’s bleeding, discomfort, or slower improvement — please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your urologist or our team at The Prostate Clinic.