Prostate surgery and laser prostate surgery at Spire Alexandra Hospital

At Spire Alexandra Hospital, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments to patients in Medway and the surrounding areas of Kent and the South East. Our private hospital has two extensively equipped operating theatres, backed up by an extended recovery unit with 24 hour support.

We have a team of expert urologists who specialise in men’s health and have wide experience of performing prostate surgery. Working alongside an excellent aftercare team, they’ll provide you with a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to your needs.

We offer fast access to consultations and treatments, in a clean, comfortable environment. The typical waiting time from diagnosis by your consultant (or a referral) to receiving prostate surgery is between two and four weeks.

We offer transurethral electrovaporisation of the prostate (TUVP) for prostate surgery. This involves:

• A special instrument which has a rollerball on the end is passed through your urethra 
• The rollerball applies electrical energy to your prostate tissue to trim small pieces away
• You’ll need a urinary catheter for around one to two days after the operation

The type of anaesthetic you need varies depending on your circumstance. It may be:

• A general anaesthetic meaning you’re asleep – this is most often used
• A spinal or epidural – where you can’t feel anything from the waist down

Your consultant will explain the potential benefits and risks with you during your consultation.

Getting here

You'll find us approximately eight miles from Maidstone and five miles from Chatham. The nearest railway station is Chatham, a 10 minute taxi journey away. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our private consultation rooms. They’ll discuss:

• Your symptoms and any particular urinary problems you’re having
• What the treatment options are, including alternatives to surgery such as medication and lifestyle changes
• Whether you need any tests or scans to help your consultant plan the next steps
• The potential benefits and risks of treatment

You may also need a pre-operative assessment with one of our specialist nurses to check if the procedure is right for you.

Prostate surgery takes from one to two hours. If you've come with a friend or family member, they're welcome to wait in our lounge or restaurant while you have your operation.

After surgery, you may need a urinary catheter until the swelling in your urethra has gone down, allowing you to pass urine normally again. This will be taken out by one of our nurses before you leave hospital – which is usually one to three nights after your operation. During your stay, you’ll have your own, en-suite room which will have:

• TV
• En-suite bathroom
• Window
• Armchair
• Wardrobe

As expected after surgery, you’ll feel some pain afterwards. Our nurses will help you manage this by giving you painkillers and advice about what over-the-counter medicines you can take after you leave hospital.

Although the recovery time varies depending on the procedure you've had and your overall health, here’s a guide to recovery timeline for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) – the most common procedure: