After Discharge
Wound Care
- You may experience some discomfort for a few days when returning home to resume normal activities. Take pain relief as prescribed or recommended on discharge.
- The dressings are usually water-resistant and you can shower normally.
- Keep your dressings intact if possible. You can remove or change dressings if required e.g. if peeling, moist or lifting
- The sutures are dissolvable.
- Call Lake Macquarie Urology if you have any problems with your wounds.
If you develop a fever, chills, uncontrollable shaking (rigors) or burning when passing urine, you may have an infection and should seek medical attention. Please attend Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Emergency if insured or your nearest emergency department if this occurs. Our specialist urology nurses are usually available for phone advice during working hours.
Bowel Care
- It is common for your appetite and bowel movements to recover gradually in the first week after surgery. Bowel movements may not resume until 3-5 days and is often a combination of change in diet, the operation and pain relief medications.
- Try to avoid constipation. Drink plenty of water and if necessary take laxatives such as Metamucil, Coloxyl or Movicol as directed. Many of these can be bought over the counter at your pharmacy.
Activity Restrictions
It is expected that you will resume gentle activities around your home after you have been discharged from hospital. Gradually, increase the amount of walking you do each day, as tolerated. Do not walk to the point of exhaustion and avoid heavy lifting (<5kg). We recommend that you wear your anti-embolic stockings until you are as active as you were before surgery.