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Scrotal Surgery
Diet:
You may return to your normal diet within 24 hours following surgery. You may notice some mild nausea and possibly vomiting the first 6-8 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 48 hours. During that time, you should remain relatively and active. You should also wear your scrotal support at all times. During the first 7-10 days following surgery, you should avoid lifting any heavy objects (anything greater than 15 lbs.), 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 supporter for the first 4-5 days, even to sleep. This will keep the scrotum immobilized to some degree and help keep the swelling down.
Ice packs should be placed on and off over the scrotum (over your underwear or athletic supporter) for the first 48 hours. A suggestion is to use frozen peas or corn in a Ziploc bag which can be frozen, used and refrozen. 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off is a reasonable schedule. The ice/cold is a good pain reliever and keeps the swelling down.
Wound:
In most cases, your incision will have absorbable sutures which will dissolve within the first 10-20 days. Some will fall out even earlier. Expect some redness as the sutures dissolve, but this should occur only around the sutures. If there is generalized redness, especially with increasing pain or swelling, let us know. The scrotum will very likely get ""black and blue"" as the blood in the tissues spread. Sometimes the whole scrotum will turn colors. The black and blue is followed by a yellow and brown color. In time, all this coloration will go away.
Hygiene:
You may shower 48 hours after surgery. Tub bathing should be restricted for the first 3 weeks after surgery and until cleared by your surgeon.
Medication:
You will be sent home with some type of pain medication. In many cases, you will be sent home with a narcotic pain pill (Darvocet, Vicodin or some generic variant of these). If the pain is not too bad, you may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) which contains no narcotic agents, and might be tolerated a little bit better with fewer side effects. If the pain medication you are sent home with does not control the pain, please let us know. Some narcotic pain medications cannot be given or refilled by a phone call to a pharmacy.
Problems You Should Report To Us:
- Fever or temperature greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Moderate or severe swelling which is steadily worsening or causing uncontrolled pain.
- Drug reactions such as hives, 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 10-14 days following your surgery.
