Follow these guidelines for your care after your surgery to help your recovery. The recovery from this surgery is very important for the success of the procedure.

Activity

• Limit your activity for the first 21 days after surgery to light activity.
• You may return to work in a week or so.
• Limit lifting, pushing or pulling to less than 5 pounds for the next 4 weeks.
• Limit any activity that requires your legs to stretch apart, lift the knee above the waist, or squat. 

You should continue walking when you return home, gradually increasing the amount of walking you do each day. Short frequent walks of 10-15 minutes are a good starting point (at least 3-4 times a day). Walking will help you rebuild strength.

Take planned rest periods during the day. The best gauge is your body and how you feel.

You may walk up and downstairs as soon as you return home but take them slowly.

Avoid heavy lifting (greater than 5 pounds) or strenuous activity for 4 weeks after you are discharged. Heavy lifting can increase abdominal pressure, which can put a strain on your incision. If you need to brace yourself to pick something up, then it is too heavy. Five pounds is equivalent to a large telephone book or a gallon of milk.

Avoid bending. This is tiring and also increases abdominal pressure. If you must pick something up, bend with your knees (not at your waist).

 

Swelling

Scrotal swelling from the surgery may take weeks to get better. You should call your doctor if the swelling is severe and the scrotum is larger than an orange.

• Use ice packs to the scrotum and penis for 15 minutes every hour for the first 48 hours when you are awake to limit swelling. Use a plastic bag with ice or a bag of frozen peas for the ice pack. Wrap a cloth or towel around the ice pack so the ice does not directly touch your skin.
• Wear a jockstrap or tight underwear for the next week to support your scrotum and reduce swelling.
• When swelling decreases after 1-2 weeks, please begin to pull down gently on the pump in the scrotum. Perform the pulling down twice daily. 

Incision care

• Stitches will dissolve and do not need to be removed.
• Expect a small amount of blood that may stain the dressings for up to 72 hours after surgery.
• For the first few days, apply two or three gauze pads to the site each day and as needed to keep the dressing dry. This will protect the incision and help keep your clothes clean.
• When you are no longer having any drainage, stop using the gauze pads over the site. 

Bathing or showering

• You may shower 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Allow the water to wash over the incision but do not scrub the incision. Dry the site gently by patting it with a clean towel.
• Tub baths should be avoided for 14 days after surgery.
• Sitz baths can be used 14 days after surgery to help reduce swelling.
• Swimming or hot tubs should be avoided for 21 days after surgery. 

Pain control

You will likely be sent home with a prescription for a few days of pain medicine. Use this only as needed. After 48 hours, most patients can take extra-strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) for pain, following the label directions. Pain most often is eased after 5 to 7 days.

Sexual activity

Avoid sexual activity for the first 2 weeks after surgery.

Follow up

You will need to schedule a follow-up visit 4-6 weeks after surgery.

When to call your doctor

Call your surgeon’s office at 614-788-2870 right away if you have:

• Severe swelling, larger than the size of a large orange
• A large amount of fluid drainage that soaks several pads per day
• Pain that is not controlled with pain medicine and use of ice packs or worsens after 48 hours
• Any signs of infection such as: 
• Increased redness or tenderness around the incision site
• Pus type drainage from the incision
• Fever of greater than 101 degrees F

Dr. Lowe’s Nurse: Julia (614) 788-2878

Dr. Lowe’s MA: Sue (614) 788-2873

Bing office: (614)788-2870