Penile Prosthesis

You can expect:

Day of procedure (you may be hospitalized overnight):

Bruising and some mild bleeding from the incision site

Possible bruising and pain at the i.v. site

Possible pain, burning in the urethra and/or bladder

You will have a small catheter in place to help you empty your bladder after surgery

Possibly see pink-tinge in urine

24 hours after procedure:

Pain/swelling may be worse today than yesterday

May still have urinary symptoms

Bandage may have caked blood.

Possible trouble initiating the urinary stream

48 hours after procedure:

[see 24 hour instructions]

72 hours after procedure:

Swelling and bruising of penis may be more than the previous days.

Possible pain/sensitivity of the scrotum/testicles

Possible pain in the lower abdomen if a reservoir was placed

Miscellaneous:

You will leave the pump in the “down” (deactivated) position for 6 weeks.

 

What you should do now:

Day of procedure:

Do NOT drive a car, make important personal or legal decisions, or be left alone without assistance.

Take it easy and avoid unnecessary activity

ICE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND: apply a cold pack (never directly on the skin) intermittently (20 minutes at a time) for 48 hours.

24 hours after procedure:

The drain usually comes out the day after the operation

May clean yourself with a washcloth but do not shower for 2 days after the operation

ICE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND: apply a cold pack (never directly on the skin) intermittently (20 minutes at a time) for 48 hours.

48 hours after operation:

Remove the dressing if present.

Do not drive, especially if you are having discomfort and/or are taking narcotic pain medications (vicodin, percocet, tylox, etc)

ICE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND: apply a cold pack (never directly on the skin) intermittently (20 minutes at a time) for 48 hours.

72 hours after operation:

Continue to change dressing once daily

Miscellaneous:

You may take a bath today, many patients say that being in the bath is the best pain-killer and you may bathe up to 3x a day.

Gently pull downward on the pump daily to make sure it stays in a good position in the scrotum.  The bath is a good place to do this, since the scrotum will be more relaxed.

Avoid heavy lifting or active exercise (walking is encouraged) for 2 weeks.

NO sexual activity (sex or masturbation) for 6 weeks.

It is best if you wear brief or similar snug underwear and have the penis facing “up” (towards the abdomen) for a month after surgery.  This will help give the penis the best angle when you are ready to use the prosthesis.

 

Diet:

Day of procedure:

Make sure you keep hydrated: drink 8 glasses of water a day.

Eat bland food (toast, broth, etc)

Avoid alcoholic beverages

24 hours after procedure:

If you feel like it, eat a normal diet

Avoid alcoholic beverages

48 hours after procedure:

Continue normal diet and good fluid intake

72 hours after procedure:

Continue normal diet and good fluid intake

 

Medication:

Day of procedure:

Resume your prescribed medications EXCEPT for aspirin or “blood thinners” (coumadin, warfarin, heparin, etc)

Take your new prescribed medications

24, 48, 72 hours after procedure:

Take your regular medications.

May resume blood thinners if this has been ok’d at clinic visit.

Continue pain medications if needed.  May take Tylenol extra-strength INSTEAD of prescribed medications if desired

Miscellaneous:

Narcotic pain medication may cause constipation, itching, nausea/vomiting, “wooziness”.  Make sure you are having regular bowel movements (may use Metamucil, milk of magnesium, etc) and that you do NOT drive if taking narcotic medications.

 

Contact:

Call your urologist if:

  • Pain is not adequately controlled with medication
  • Cannot urinate for more than 8 hours
  • Strong chills or fever (>101.5 degrees farenheit)
  • Increasing pain at the operative site, especially more than a week after surgery
  • Drainage/pus from the operative site or near it, especially if parts of the prosthetic can be seen through the skin

The clinic hours are M-F, 8am-5pm.

There is a Urologist on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for issues that cannot wait until the office is open

If you feel you have a problem that is an emergency, call 911 or go to a local Emergency Room