POST
TRANSURETHRAL SURGERY INSTRUCTION SHEET
Your recent prostate surgery
requires very special post hospital care.
Despite the fact that no skin incisions were used, the area around the
prostate is quite raw and is covered with a large scab to promote healing and
prevent bleeding. Certain precautions
are needed to insure that this scab is not disturbed over the next 6 (six)
weeks while the healing proceeds.
Because of the raw surface
around your prostate and the irritating effects of urine you may expect
frequency of urination and/or urgency (a stronger desire to urinate) and
perhaps even more getting up at night.
This will usually resolve or improve slowly over the healing
period. You may see some blood in your
urine over the first six weeks. Do not
be alarmed, even if the urine was clear for a while. Stay in bed and drink lots of fluids until clearing occurs.
DIET:
You may return to your normal
diet immediately. Because of the raw
surface, alcohol, spicy foods and drinks with caffeine may cause some
irritation or frequency and should be used in moderation. To keep your urine flowing freely and to
avoid constipation, drink plenty of fluids during the day (8 - 10 glasses).
ACTIVITY:
Your physical activity is to be
restricted, especially during the first two weeks. During this time use the following guidelines:
a. No lifting heavy objects
(anything greater than 10 lbs).
b. No driving a car and limit
long car rides.
c. NO strenuous exercise, limit
stair climbing to minimum.
d. NO sexual intercourse until
okayed by one of your doctors.
e. No severe straining during
bowel movements - take a laxative if necessary.
BOWELS:
It is important to keep your
bowels regular during the post-operative period. The rectum and the prostate are next to each other and any very
large and hard stools that require straining to pass can cause bleeding. You will be given stool softeners (usually)
but these are not laxatives. A bowel
movement every other day is reasonable.
Use a mild laxative if needed and call if you are having problems. (Milk of Magnesia 2-3 Tablespoons, or 2 Dulcolax tablets for example).
MEDICATION:
You should resume your
pre-surgery medication unless told not to.
In addition you will often be given an antibiotic to prevent infection
and stool softeners. These should be taken
as prescribed until the bottles are finished unless you are having an unusual
reaction to one of the drugs.
PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD REPORT TO
US:
a. Fevers over 100.5 Fahrenheit.
b. Heavy bleeding, or clots (See notes above about blood in urine).
c. Inability to urinate.
d. Drug reactions (Hives,
rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
e. Severe burning or pain with urination that is not improving.
FOLLOW-UP:
You will need a follow-up
appointment to monitor your progress.
Call for this appointment at the number above when you get home or from
the phone in your hospital room before leaving. Usually the first appointment will be about 7 - 14 days after
your surgery.