Artificial Urinary Sphincter Post-Op Recovery Instructions

Artificial Urinary Sphincter Post-Operative Instructions

What you can expect

• Bruising and some mild bleeding from incision site(s).
• Scrotal swelling
• Possible pain and/or burning with urination.
• Mild pain at operative site.
• Continued incontinence.

Activity

• No heavy lifting (more than 20 lbs) for 4 weeks.
• No driving the day of surgery
• No long trips for 3 weeks.
• No vigorous activity for 4 weeks (shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, raking leaves etc).
• No sexual activity for 4 weeks.
• If you experience discomfort, reduce activity, and more gradually resume activities.
• Regular light activity is encouraged several times daily. We encourage walking. Do not be a couch potato.
• Care of your perineal incision:(between the scrotum and anus), you should sit with your weight shifted onto you buttocks for 6 months. You may use an air-filled donut or soft cushion for 4 weeks.
• No activity that involves straddling for 6 months (riding a bike, motorcycle, ATV, horseback riding etc).
• Gently pull down on AUS pump in scrotum three times daily to keep it in a dependent position.

Diet

• Drink plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses of water daily).
• Resume regular diet at home.
• If you have a special diet due to diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease etc, you may resume eating when tolerated.

Medications

• You will not require narcotic medication.
• Pain control with 600 mg ibuprofen and 500 mg Tylenol every 6 hours unless your doctor states otherwise. These medications can be staggered so that you can take something every 3 hours.
• Resume all medications you normally took before surgery, unless instructed otherwise.
• Resume Aspirin and blood thinners as directed by your physician.
• If you have any questions regarding your medications, please call our office at 781-744-8420 or call the Lahey Clinic Urologist on-call.

Bowel habits

• Avoid constipation to prevent straining (do not strain when having a bowel movement).
• Increase fiber in your diet
  • Fruits, vegetables, salads
  • Metamucil
• Drink plenty of fluids (8 glasses of water a day)
  • Can add prune or apple juice
• Stool softeners
  • Colace
• Laxatives

  Bathing

• Shower daily beginning 48 hours after surgery.
• Gently wash the incision with soap and water, rinse, and pat dry.
• No baths, hot tubs, or swimming for 6 weeks

Reasons to call your doctor

• Incision becomes red, swollen, opens, or has pus-like drainage.
• Skin around your incision becomes warmer than elsewhere.
• Bladder feels full
• No longer leaking urine
• Chills or fever greater than 101 degrees F.
• Nausea and vomiting or inability to keep down fluids.
• Severe pain not controlled by pain medication.

Additional instructions

• Given on a case-by-case basis. Ask your surgeon if any other instructions are necessary.

For emergent situations call 911 or go to the Emergency Room.

Please feel free to contact us with any other questions or concerns at 781-744-8420.