Instructions after Male Reconstructive Surgeries
Including sling placement
• Drink at least 2 liters of clear, decaffeinated beverages daily to help keep the urinary tract functioning correctly, particularly the kidneys. The patient may return to their normal diet after passing gas from below or having bowel movements. Otherwise, continue clear liquids and walk often to stimulate bowel function.
• No driving for 2 weeks. This includes no long sitting periods for longer than one hour without stopping and walking around as a passenger. This instruction is to protect you from forming blood clots in the legs as well as reacting to traffic in a manner that will disrupt your incisional closure.
• The patient may shower on the second day after surgery (if surgery were on Wednesday, then you may shower on Friday). No bathing (sitting in water) for 10 days following the surgery. This instruction is to allow your incisions to heal without infection.
• No heavy lifting more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks to allow incisions inside and outside of your body to heal without strain.
• Any activity that opens the pelvis (sexual activity, long walking strides, deep knee bends) must be avoided for 6 weeks to prevent the repair from loosening and failing.
• Minimize trips up and down stairs to 2-3 times daily by planning ahead. Please only attempt one step at a time as falling on the stairs could be very dangerous. The doctor will typically see you 3 weeks after your surgery for discussion of pathology if applicable, evaluation of the incisions and to answer any other questions that may come up. We will also set up any appropriate visits or studies at that time.
• Return to daily activities will be on an individual patient basis and assessed during your follow-up appointment.
• Discharge medications typically include an antibiotic (Keflex 500 mg orally 3 times a day), pain medication (Vicodin 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain) and a stool softener (Colace 100 mg orally 2 times a day). These medications may be changed appropriately based on patient allergies and effectiveness.
If you experience fever more than 101 F, have nausea and vomiting, have uncontrolled pain, have bleeding or redness at the infection site suspicious for infection, please call the office for help immediately. <<<BACK |
