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Artificial Sphincter Surgery
Diet:
You may return to your normal diet within twenty-four hours following your surgery. You may note some mild nausea and possibly vomiting the first six to eight hours following surgery. This is usually due to the side effects of anesthesia, and will disappear quite soon. I would suggest clear liquids and a very light meal the first evening following surgery.
Activity:
Your physical activity should be restricted the first forty-eight hours. During that time you should remain relatively inactive, moving about only when necessary. During the first 7 to 10 days following surgery you should avoid lifting any heavy objects (anything greater than fifteen pounds), and avoid strenuous exercise. If you work, ask us specifically about your restrictions, both for home and work. We will write a note to your employer if needed.
You should plan to wear a tight pair of jockey shorts or an athletic support for the first 4-5 days, even to sleep. This will keep the scrotum immobilized to some degree and keep the swelling down.
Ice packs should be placed over the scrotum on and off for the first 48 hours. Frozen peas or corn in a ZipLoc bag can be frozen, used and re-frozen. 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off is a reasonable schedule. The ice is a good pain reliever and keeps the swelling down.
Wound:
Your incisions are sealed from outside bacteria within two days of surgery. Nonetheless, you should protect it from dirt and soiling for the first ten days or so. The incisions will be tender for the first week and the edges should NOT be pulled apart. The steri-strips should be left on for at least 10-14 days, if possible. After this period, you may remove the steri-strips. If a NEW area of redness or swelling occurs, please let us know.
Hygiene:
You may shower 48 hours after surgery. Tub bathing should be restricted until after approved by your physician. Generally, this is 2-3 weeks after your surgery.
Medication:
You will be sent home with some type of pain medication. In most cases you will be sent home with a narcotic pain pill. If the pain is not too bad, you may take either Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) which contain no narcotic agents, and might be tolerated a little better, that is fewer side effects. If the pain medication you are sent home with does not control the pain, you will have to let us know. Some narcotic pain medications cannot be given or refilled by a phone call to a pharmacy.
You will also be sent home with an antibiotic. You should plan to finish the entire bottle of pills. This is to prevent an infection in the prosthesis and is obviously important.
Problems You Should Report To Us:
- Fever of 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Moderate or severe swelling under the skin incision or involving the scrotum.
- Drug reactions such as hives, a rash, nausea or vomiting.
Follow-Up:
You should contact our office within 24 hours to set up your first follow-up appointment. This visit, to check your incision and progress, is usually set up 1-2 weeks following your surgery.
