How long does incontinence last after prostate surgery?

Dear James — The bad news from me is that I’m 2 years post-radiation plus ADT and my urinary issues have persisted all the while. The good news is that I’m age 77 and younger age is a huge factor in overcoming those issues. If you’re under 65 and exercise religiously you’ll see current problems abate and disappear. Also, I’ve gradually found ways of coping; eg, regulating fluid intake and finding cheap briefs that do a good job of containing and restraining, to the extent I don’t depend on Depends or any such product. Result is I can go 8 hours without “going” and leak at most a few drops. My experience says this: Be inventive and ignore urologists, who have book learning but zero useful practical advice.

Recovery from incontinence after prostate surgery typically improves gradually over several months, with many patients seeing significant progress within 3-6 months, though everyone's timeline is different. Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises) are commonly recommended to help strengthen the muscles that control urination - your healthcare team can provide specific guidance on proper technique and frequency when you see them next.