There is a difference between Watchful Waiting and Active Surveillance. I suspect AS was offered nor WW. Watchful waiting is for people diagnosed at an old age (late eighties) and is merely managing the disease, in the hope that something else will kill you first (heart attack, stroke, etc.) .
Active Surveillance, means keeping an eye on the disease with the intention of treating the disease, hopefully curing it, before it progresses too far. If you can live with a little uncertainty it is very good, as it had no side effects (apart from worry), it may be a bit of a nuisance having biopsies moderately frequently, but if things progress you then switch to treatment. If this has been offered it could be the best choice, the disease may not progress, you may get five years or more without having to worry about incontinence ED etc.
I did not have surgery I had radiotherapy. It is less likely to cause incontinence, and just as effective at curing PCa as surgery. The only problem is that patients find it hard to believe that invisible radio waves are as good at killing cancer as the more brutal surgeons knife.
I think you will find plenty of people here who have had surgery and only very temporary incontinence. But don't rush in to surgery for an emotional need to have it "cut out"