If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are concerned about your weight, you may wonder whether obesity could affect your ability to have robotic prostate cancer surgery. Many men have questions about whether being overweight increases surgical risks, affects recovery, or changes the treatment options available.
The answer is that obesity can influence certain aspects of surgery, but it does not automatically mean robotic prostate cancer surgery is unsuitable for you. Your surgical team will consider your overall health, cancer characteristics, fitness level, weight-related conditions, and other factors before recommending the safest approach.
The aim is always to provide effective cancer treatment while reducing avoidable risks. With careful assessment and preparation, many men who are overweight or living with obesity may still be suitable for robotic prostate surgery.
Understanding Obesity and Surgical Risk
Obesity is often assessed using body mass index (BMI), which compares your weight with your height. However, BMI is only one part of the assessment, and your doctors will also consider factors such as body composition, fitness level, and any health conditions linked to your weight.
Being overweight can influence how your body responds to surgery. Conditions that are more common with obesity, such as diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, and heart disease, may also need to be considered when planning your robotic prostate cancer surgery.
Your surgeon will assess your overall health rather than focusing only on your weight. Two men with the same BMI can have very different surgical risks depending on their fitness, medical conditions, and general wellbeing.
Does Obesity Prevent Robotic Prostate Surgery?
Being overweight does not automatically prevent you from having robotic prostate cancer surgery. Many men with a higher body weight are able to undergo robotic procedures successfully after a thorough medical assessment.
Your suitability for surgery depends on several factors, including your prostate cancer stage, overall fitness, existing health conditions, and how your body is expected to respond to anaesthesia and recovery.
The decision is always personalised because surgery is never based on weight alone. Your medical team will carefully consider the potential benefits of treatment alongside any risks linked to your overall health.
Why Weight Is Considered Before Surgery
Before robotic prostate surgery, your healthcare team will review your medical history, overall fitness, and general health. Your weight is one of the factors considered because it can influence certain practical aspects of surgery and recovery.
Obesity may affect areas such as anaesthetic planning, positioning during the operation, wound healing, and the time needed to regain strength after surgery. These factors help your team prepare for any challenges that may arise.
The purpose of this assessment is not simply to exclude you from treatment. Instead, it helps your healthcare team understand your individual needs and create the safest possible surgical plan.
How Obesity Can Affect Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia is an important part of robotic prostate cancer surgery, and your anaesthetic team will consider your individual health when planning your care. Obesity may create additional factors that need to be reviewed before the operation.
For example, excess weight can sometimes affect breathing, airway management, and how your body responds to certain medications used during anaesthesia. Conditions commonly associated with obesity may also influence the approach taken by your anaesthetist.
Before surgery, your anaesthetist will assess your overall situation, including your breathing, heart health, current medications, and any weight-related health conditions. This allows the team to plan the safest and most appropriate anaesthetic approach for you.
Clinical Insight: Anaesthetic Risk Is Broader Than Weight Alone
For patients living with obesity, the anaesthetic assessment may pay particular attention to airway management, breathing function, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and how safely the patient can be positioned for surgery.
This is why it is important to tell the anaesthetic team if you have diagnosed sleep apnoea, use CPAP, have significant daytime sleepiness, or have previously had problems with anaesthesia.
The Importance of Pre-Operative Assessment
A detailed pre-operative assessment helps your healthcare team identify any health factors that may need attention before robotic prostate cancer surgery. This preparation allows potential concerns to be managed before the operation takes place.
You may have checks such as blood tests, blood pressure measurements, medication reviews, and assessments for conditions such as diabetes or sleep apnoea. These evaluations help your team understand how your body is likely to respond to surgery.
This preparation is an important part of safe surgical planning. By identifying and managing possible concerns early, your healthcare team can reduce avoidable risks and create a more personalised approach to your treatment.
| Factor assessed | Why it matters before robotic prostate surgery |
| BMI and body habitus | May influence positioning, access and technical complexity |
| Functional fitness | Helps the team assess how well you may tolerate surgery and early recovery |
| Diabetes control | Blood glucose management is an important part of healing and infection-risk planning |
| Blood pressure | Needs to be assessed as part of cardiovascular preparation |
| Heart health | Cardiovascular disease may influence anaesthesia and recovery planning |
| Sleep apnoea | Can affect airway management and postoperative respiratory monitoring |
| Kidney function | Important for medicine planning and peri-operative care |
| Nutritional status | Nutritional risk may affect healing and recovery |
| Previous abdominal surgery | May influence surgical access and technical planning |
| Cancer stage and risk | Determines whether surgery is appropriate and how urgently treatment is needed |
Obesity and the Robotic Surgical Approach
Robotic surgery uses small instruments controlled by your surgeon through a robotic system, allowing precise movements during prostate cancer treatment. For many patients, this approach can offer benefits such as smaller incisions compared with traditional open surgery.
If you are living with obesity, the minimally invasive approach may offer advantages in suitable cases, but suitability still depends on your individual health, anatomy, cancer-related factors and surgical assessment.
Robotic surgery still requires detailed planning. Your surgical team will consider factors such as body size, positioning during the procedure, access to the prostate, and your overall fitness to ensure the operation is performed as safely as possible.
Does Obesity Make Robotic Surgery More Difficult?
Higher body weight can sometimes make robotic prostate surgery more technically challenging. Factors such as increased fatty tissue, differences in anatomy, and positioning requirements during the operation may need additional consideration.
An experienced robotic surgical team can plan for these potential technical and positioning challenges. Careful preparation before surgery allows your team to anticipate any difficulties and plan the procedure in the safest way possible.
Having obesity does not mean that robotic prostate surgery cannot be performed successfully. It simply means your surgical team may need to consider additional factors when preparing for your operation and recovery.
Evidence Note:
Published studies of robotic radical prostatectomy in men with obesity suggest a more complex picture than simply assuming that a higher BMI leads to a poor result. Higher body mass can make positioning, exposure and dissection more technically demanding, and some studies have reported longer operating times or differences in selected peri-operative and functional outcomes. However, results vary between studies, and outcomes are also influenced by comorbidities, baseline function, cancer characteristics, surgical technique and surgeon experience.
How Surgeons Minimise Surgical Risks
Your surgical team reduces risks by carefully planning every stage of your robotic prostate cancer treatment. This includes reviewing scans, assessing your overall health, and preparing the operating team for your individual needs.
Before surgery, your team may discuss areas such as weight management, improving medical conditions, and making practical lifestyle changes where appropriate. These steps can help optimise your health and support a safer operation.
The aim is to make your procedure as safe as possible while ensuring that important prostate cancer treatment is not delayed unnecessarily. Careful preparation allows your healthcare team to balance effective cancer care with your individual health needs.
Obesity and Operating Time
If you are living with obesity, it may sometimes make robotic prostate cancer surgery take longer due to technical considerations. Factors like body shape, access, and surgical complexity can influence how long the procedure lasts.
- Multiple Influences: Operating time also depends on cancer complexity, previous abdominal surgeries, your anatomy, and the surgical team’s experience.
- Longer Surgery Isn’t a Problem: A longer operation does not automatically mean a poor outcome; your team considers the overall picture.
- Holistic Planning: Treatment decisions are based on your health and surgical needs, not just on one factor like operating time.
- Individualised Care: Your surgical team tailors their approach to ensure the safest and most effective outcome for you.
Overall, while obesity can affect operating time, it is just one of many factors your team considers. Careful planning and experienced surgical support help maintain safe and successful outcomes.
Obesity and Blood Loss During Surgery
Bleeding risk is considered during every major operation, including robotic prostate cancer surgery. Your surgical team uses careful techniques and advanced planning to help minimise blood loss during the procedure.
Throughout surgery, your anaesthetic team will monitor your condition closely and support your safety. They work alongside the surgeon to manage any changes that may occur during the operation.
Body weight alone does not determine bleeding risk. Your surgical team will also consider factors such as overall health, medication use and the complexity of the operation.
Nutrition Before and After Surgery
Good nutrition plays an important role in preparing for and recovering from robotic prostate cancer surgery. Your body needs enough energy, protein, and essential nutrients to support tissue repair, healing, and regaining strength after the operation.
A balanced diet that includes sources of protein, fruit and vegetables, and a variety of whole foods can support your general health and recovery. Making practical improvements to your eating habits before surgery may also help you feel better prepared for treatment.
If you have concerns about your diet, speak with your healthcare team about whether advice from a dietitian could be helpful before or after surgery. Personalised guidance can help ensure your nutritional needs are being met during your recovery journey.
Key Fact: Weight Loss and Malnutrition Can Exist Together
A person can have a high BMI and still have nutritional problems that may matter before major surgery. For this reason, assessment should not focus only on calorie restriction or body weight.
NICE recommends pre-operative nutritional screening for people undergoing intermediate, major or complex surgery, with appropriate nutrition-support guidance followed when nutritional concerns are identified.
Obesity and Recovery After Surgery
Recovery after robotic prostate cancer surgery can vary from person to person. Factors such as your age, fitness level, overall health, the details of your operation, and the support available at home can all influence your recovery journey.
Obesity may affect recovery because additional body weight can place extra demands on the body during the healing process. However, many men living with obesity recover well when they receive appropriate support and follow the advice provided by their healthcare team.
Your medical team will focus on helping you regain movement, manage symptoms, and gradually return to your normal activities in a safe and controlled way.
Weight and Wound Healing
After robotic prostate cancer surgery, your body needs time to repair tissues and heal the surgical wounds. In some patients, obesity may increase the risk of wound-related concerns because excess fatty tissue can sometimes affect the healing process.
Your surgical team will take steps to reduce these risks by providing appropriate wound care advice and monitoring your recovery after the operation. Early identification of any concerns can help ensure they are managed promptly.
Following guidance about keeping wounds clean, recognising possible warning signs, and attending follow-up appointments can support a smoother and safer recovery.
Obesity and Infection Risk
Obesity can be associated with an increased risk of certain surgical complications, including infections, particularly when other health conditions are also present. However, having obesity does not mean that an infection will occur after robotic prostate cancer surgery.
This potential risk is one reason why your surgical team places strong emphasis on preparation, careful surgical techniques, and recovery planning. Identifying individual risk factors allows your doctors to take appropriate steps to support your safety.
After surgery, your team may provide specific guidance about wound care, physical activity, nutrition, and symptoms to watch for. Following this advice can help support healing and reduce avoidable complications.
The Role of Diabetes in Obesity and Surgery
Many people living with obesity also have diabetes or difficulties with blood sugar control. Diabetes is an important factor to consider before robotic prostate cancer surgery because it can influence healing and the risk of certain complications.
If you have diabetes, your surgical team will review how well your blood sugar is managed before the operation. This helps them understand any additional support or adjustments that may be needed during your treatment journey.
Good diabetes management before and after surgery may support healing and help reduce avoidable complications. Your healthcare team will work with you to ensure your overall health is optimised as much as possible before treatment.
Obesity and Blood Pressure Management
High blood pressure is another condition that can occur alongside obesity. Before robotic prostate cancer surgery, your healthcare team will check whether your blood pressure is well controlled and whether any adjustments to your care are needed.
Keeping blood pressure within a suitable range can help your body cope with the demands of surgery and anaesthesia. It also allows your medical team to plan your treatment with a clearer understanding of your overall health.
If you take medication for blood pressure or any other health condition, provide your surgical team with an up-to-date list of everything you use. This helps ensure your medicines are managed safely before, during, and after the operation.
Obesity and Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea is more common in people living with obesity. This condition can affect breathing during sleep and is an important factor for your medical team to consider when planning anaesthesia and recovery.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea or use a CPAP machine, make sure your surgical team knows before your robotic prostate cancer surgery. This information helps your anaesthetist understand your needs and plan appropriate care.
By identifying sleep-related breathing problems in advance, your healthcare team can arrange suitable monitoring and support to help keep you safe throughout the surgical process.
Physical Activity Before Surgery
Improving your fitness before robotic prostate cancer surgery can help prepare your body for the recovery process. Even gentle activities, such as regular walking, may be beneficial when they are appropriate for your current health and ability.
The aim is not to push yourself beyond your limits but to gradually improve your strength and stamina in a safe way. Small increases in daily activity can still support your overall fitness before treatment.
Your healthcare team can advise what level of exercise is suitable before your operation. They can help you choose activities that match your health, fitness level, and individual circumstances.
Physical Activity After Robotic Prostate Surgery
After robotic prostate surgery, your activity level will gradually increase as your body heals. Recovery is a step-by-step process, and your healthcare team will guide you on how to safely build up your movement.
Walking is often encouraged during recovery because it supports circulation, improves mobility, and helps rebuild stamina. Gentle movement can be an important part of returning to your normal routine.
You should follow your surgeon’s advice about when it is safe to return to heavier activities, lifting, exercise, and work. Giving your body enough time to heal can help support a smoother recovery.
Preparing Your Body Before Surgery
Preparing for robotic prostate cancer surgery can help you feel more confident and may support your recovery after the operation. Taking steps to improve your overall health before treatment can help your body cope better with the demands of surgery.
Your preparation may include improving your fitness, eating a balanced diet, managing existing medical conditions, and following the advice provided by your healthcare team. These steps should be based on your current health and what is realistic for you.
You do not need to make major changes overnight. Small, realistic improvements before surgery may help you feel better prepared for treatment and recovery.
UK Guidance Note
NICE’s peri-operative care guideline recommends an enhanced recovery programme for people having elective major or complex surgery. It also recommends validated risk assessment, lifestyle discussion and pre-operative nutritional screening in appropriate surgical patients.
Weight Loss Before Prostate Surgery
Some men may benefit from losing weight before robotic prostate cancer surgery, particularly if obesity is affecting their overall health or increasing certain surgical risks. Improving your health before an operation can help your body cope better with treatment and recovery.
However, any weight loss plan should be realistic, safe, and medically appropriate. Rapid or extreme dieting before cancer treatment is generally not recommended without guidance from a healthcare professional, as your body needs adequate nutrition to support healing.
Your doctor can advise whether weight reduction before surgery is suitable for your situation and whether it should influence the timing of your treatment. The decision will consider your cancer needs, overall health, and the potential benefits of improving your fitness before surgery.
Clinical Tip: Health Optimisation Is Not Always the Same as Reaching a Target BMI
Some patients may benefit from weight reduction before surgery, but others may gain more immediate benefit from improving fitness, blood pressure, diabetes control, nutrition or sleep apnoea management.
The decision also needs to consider the timing of prostate cancer treatment. A prolonged delay purely to reach an arbitrary weight target may not be appropriate for every patient. Your surgical team should balance the possible benefits of optimisation against the clinical priority of treating your cancer.
Obesity and Urinary Recovery
Urinary continence is one of the main areas of recovery that many men focus on after prostate cancer surgery. Regaining bladder control can take time, and the recovery process varies from person to person.
Several factors can influence urinary recovery, including age, pelvic floor muscle function, surgical technique, overall health, and individual healing. Weight may be one factor considered during recovery discussions, but it does not determine the final outcome on its own. During follow-up, you can receive guidance on pelvic floor exercises and other strategies that may support urinary recovery.
Research Insight:
Recovery of continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is influenced by multiple factors, including age, baseline urinary function, surgical anatomy, technique and patient-related characteristics. Systematic reviews of continence outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy have identified BMI among the variables studied, but reported recovery rates and predictor effects vary considerably between studies.
For you as a patient, this means BMI should not be used to make a confident prediction about whether you personally will regain bladder control quickly or slowly. Pre-operative counselling should consider the wider clinical picture.
Obesity and Erectile Function Recovery
Erectile function recovery after prostate cancer surgery depends on several factors, including whether the nerves can be preserved during surgery, your age, your erections before treatment, and your overall health.
Obesity may be linked with conditions that affect blood flow, hormone balance, and cardiovascular health, which can influence sexual function. However, weight is only one part of a much wider picture when discussing recovery.
Before surgery, your surgeon should explain realistic expectations and discuss the factors that may affect your outcome. Support options after treatment can be considered as part of your personalised recovery plan.
The Importance of Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises can play an important role in supporting urinary recovery after prostate cancer surgery. Strengthening these muscles before and after the operation may help you develop better control during the recovery period.
Your healthcare team may recommend learning these exercises before surgery so that you understand the correct technique and can continue them safely after the procedure.
Consistency is important for getting the most benefit, but exercises should be performed according to professional guidance. Doing more repetitions than advised does not necessarily improve results and may cause unnecessary strain.
Does Losing Weight Improve Surgical Outcomes?
Improving aspects of your health before robotic prostate cancer surgery may help prepare you for treatment and recovery. Better fitness, improved nutrition, and well-managed medical conditions may help your body cope with surgery and support your recovery.
However, decisions about surgery are not based on weight alone. Your healthcare team will consider the importance of treating prostate cancer alongside any potential risks linked to your overall health.
Your doctors can help you understand which improvements are realistic and beneficial without unnecessarily delaying important cancer treatment. The focus is on preparing your body safely while ensuring you receive appropriate care at the right time.
| Preparation strategy | Potential benefit | Important caution |
| Gradual weight reduction | May improve cardiometabolic health in selected patients | Should not unnecessarily delay cancer treatment |
| Aerobic activity | May improve stamina and cardiovascular fitness | Activity level should match individual health |
| Resistance exercise | May help preserve or improve muscle strength | Needs gradual progression |
| Diabetes optimisation | Supports safer peri-operative management | Medication adjustments require professional advice |
| Blood pressure control | Supports cardiovascular preparation | Do not change medication independently |
| Sleep apnoea management | Supports respiratory planning and recovery | Tell the team about CPAP use |
| Nutritional optimisation | Supports healing and recovery | Avoid restrictive crash diets |
Managing Concerns About Being Overweight
Many men worry that their weight may prevent them from receiving effective prostate cancer treatment. These concerns are understandable, especially when preparing for a major operation.
However, obesity is only one factor among many that your surgical team will consider. Your cancer diagnosis, overall health, fitness level, medical conditions, and personal treatment goals all play an important role in decision-making.
The focus is on finding the safest and most appropriate treatment approach for your individual situation. With careful assessment and preparation, many men who are overweight or living with obesity can successfully undergo robotic prostate cancer surgery.
Choosing the Right Surgical Team
When you have obesity alongside prostate cancer, choosing a surgical team with experience in managing different health factors can help you feel more confident about your treatment plan.
Your surgeon should consider the complete picture, including your cancer diagnosis, weight, existing medical conditions, medications, and recovery goals. This personalised approach helps ensure that treatment decisions are based on your individual needs rather than a single health factor.
A team that understands the challenges and considerations associated with obesity can help you prepare effectively and support you throughout your surgical journey.
Long-Term Health After Prostate Surgery
A prostate cancer diagnosis can become an opportunity to focus on your wider health and make positive changes that support your future wellbeing. Recovery is not only about healing after surgery but also about looking after your overall health in the years ahead.
Managing your weight, staying physically active, keeping blood pressure under control, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can all contribute to better long-term health.
These changes can support your recovery after treatment while also helping improve your general wellbeing beyond your prostate cancer journey.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Obesity can influence certain aspects of robotic prostate cancer surgery, but it does not automatically mean that treatment is unsuitable. Many men living with obesity can successfully undergo robotic prostate surgery after careful assessment and preparation. Your treatment plan will take account of your cancer, fitness, medical conditions and any practical challenges that could affect surgery or recovery.
The most important step is working closely with your medical team so that your cancer treatment and wider health needs are managed together. Good planning and clear communication with your medical team can help you approach treatment with greater confidence.
Myth vs Fact:
| Myth | Fact |
| Obesity automatically prevents robotic prostate surgery. | Suitability depends on overall health, cancer factors, anatomy and surgical assessment. |
| BMI alone predicts surgical risk. | Fitness, body composition, diabetes, cardiovascular health and sleep apnoea also matter. |
| Robotic surgery removes all obesity-related risks. | Anaesthetic, positioning and recovery considerations still require careful planning. |
| Everyone should lose a large amount of weight before cancer surgery. | Optimisation must be individual and balanced against treatment timing. |
| Crash dieting is the fastest way to prepare. | Adequate nutrition is important for healing and recovery. |
| Higher BMI guarantees poor continence recovery. | Functional recovery is affected by several patient and surgical factors. |
| Weight is the only important preparation target. | Fitness, nutrition and management of related conditions can be equally important. |
Key Takeaways:
- Obesity does not automatically prevent robotic prostate cancer surgery.
- BMI is only one part of the surgical-risk assessment.
- Diabetes, cardiovascular health, blood pressure, sleep apnoea, fitness and nutritional status may all affect planning.
- Obesity can make anaesthesia, positioning and some technical aspects of robotic surgery more complex.
- Robotic surgery may still be feasible and appropriate in selected patients living with obesity.
- Preparation should focus on overall health optimisation, not simply reaching an arbitrary target weight.
- Rapid or extreme dieting before cancer treatment should be avoided unless it is part of a professionally supervised plan.
- NICE recommends enhanced recovery for major elective surgery and supports pre-operative risk assessment and nutritional screening.
- Urinary and erectile recovery depend on multiple factors, not weight alone.
- The timing of weight loss or fitness improvement must be balanced against the clinical priority of prostate cancer treatment.
FAQs:
1. Can obesity prevent me from having robotic prostate cancer surgery?
No, obesity does not automatically mean you cannot have robotic prostate cancer surgery. Many men with obesity undergo successful treatment after careful assessment and preparation. Your surgical team will consider your overall health, cancer details, fitness level, and any obesity-related conditions before making a recommendation.
2. Does obesity increase the risks of robotic prostate surgery?
Obesity can increase the risk of certain challenges during and after surgery, such as breathing issues, wound healing problems, or longer recovery in some cases. However, your individual risk depends on factors such as your general health, diabetes control, heart health, and fitness level. Careful assessment and peri-operative planning can help manage these risks.
3. Is robotic prostate surgery better than open surgery if I am overweight?
Robotic prostate surgery may offer advantages for some patients because it uses a minimally invasive approach. However, the best surgical approach depends on your individual situation, including your anatomy, general health, cancer characteristics and surgeon’s assessment. Your specialist will discuss the most suitable option for you.
4. Should I lose weight before robotic prostate cancer surgery?
Losing weight before surgery may improve your overall health and help reduce some surgical risks, especially if obesity is affecting conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. However, weight loss should be realistic and medically supervised. Your cancer treatment timeline will also be considered when deciding whether weight reduction before surgery is appropriate.
5. Does obesity make robotic prostate surgery more difficult for surgeons?
Obesity can sometimes make surgery more technically challenging because of factors such as increased fatty tissue, positioning requirements, and differences in anatomy. An experienced robotic surgical team can plan for technical, anaesthetic and positioning considerations linked to your individual circumstances. Your weight alone does not determine whether surgery can be performed safely.
6. Can obesity affect recovery after robotic prostate cancer surgery?
Obesity may influence recovery because it can place additional demands on the body during healing. However, recovery varies considerably, and many men living with obesity can recover well with appropriate medical support and follow-up care. Recovery also depends on age, fitness, surgical technique, and overall health.
7. Does obesity increase the risk of complications after prostate surgery?
Obesity may be linked with a higher risk of certain complications, including wound problems, infections, and breathing difficulties. However, these risks vary between individuals and are often influenced by other conditions such as diabetes or sleep apnoea. Your healthcare team will take steps to reduce risks before, during, and after surgery.
8. How does obesity affect urinary recovery after robotic prostate surgery?
Urinary recovery after prostate surgery varies from person to person and depends on factors such as age, pelvic floor function, nerve preservation, and surgical technique. Obesity may be one factor considered during recovery planning, but it does not determine your final outcome. Pelvic floor exercises and following your recovery plan can support better bladder control.
9. Does obesity affect erectile function recovery after prostate cancer surgery?
Erectile function recovery depends on several factors, including your age, erections before surgery, nerve preservation, and cardiovascular health. Obesity may affect sexual health indirectly through conditions such as diabetes or reduced blood flow. Your surgeon can discuss realistic expectations and available support after treatment.
10. What should I ask my surgeon if I have obesity and need robotic prostate surgery?
You can ask how your weight may affect your surgery, anaesthesia, recovery, and any preparation recommended beforehand. It is also useful to discuss whether you need additional assessments for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea. Understanding your personalised treatment plan can help you feel more confident before surgery.
Final Thoughts: Preparing for Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery When You Are Overweight
Obesity can influence certain aspects of robotic prostate cancer surgery, but it does not automatically mean that surgery is unsuitable for you. With appropriate assessment, preparation and a personalised treatment approach, many men who are overweight or living with obesity may still be suitable for robotic prostate cancer surgery. If you are considering treatment, having an open discussion with your specialist about your weight, overall health, and recovery expectations can help you make informed decisions. A specialist team offering robotic prostate cancer surgery in London can assess your individual circumstances and guide you through the safest and most appropriate treatment options for your prostate cancer.
References:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2019, last updated 2021; reviewed 2025) Prostate cancer: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG131. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng131
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2020) Perioperative care in adults. NICE guideline NG180. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng180
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2025) Overweight and obesity management. NICE guideline NG246. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246
- Wei, Y. et al. (2018) ‘Impact of Obesity on Long-Term Urinary Incontinence after Radical Prostatectomy: A Meta-Analysis’, BioMed Research International, 2018, 8279523. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5903323/
- Mourão, T.C. et al. (2022) ‘Should obesity be associated with worse urinary continence outcomes after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy? A propensity scores matching analysis’, International Brazilian Journal of Urology, 48, pp.122–130. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8691228/
- Wilson, R.L. et al. (2020) ‘Efficacy of a weight loss program prior to robot assisted radical prostatectomy in overweight and obese men with prostate cancer’, Surgical Oncology, 35, pp.182–188. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960740420303492
- Jaber, A.R. et al. (2025) ‘Impact of Class III Obesity (Morbid Obesity) on the Perioperative, Functional, and Oncological Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy’, Cancers, 17(4), 709. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/4/709