Buried Penis Repair Post-Op Recovery Instructions

Buried Penis Post-Operative Instructions

What you can expect

• Bruising and some mild bleeding from incision site(s).
• Mild bruising and swelling of scrotum.
• Mild pain in perineum, scrotum, and hips that should improve with activity during the first week after surgery.
• Scabbing on the glans of the penis

• Nocturnal erections: totally normal and impossible to prevent. THESE MAY BE PAINFUL FOR A FEW WEEKS
• Leakage of urine or bloody fluid from the end of the penis or around the catheter.
• Bladder spasms: can feel like pressure or pain and result in leakage of urine around catheter.
• If you go home with a penile bolster dressing do not get it wet. It will be removed 5-7 days after surgery.

Activity

• No heavy lifting (more than 5 lbs) for 6 weeks.
• No driving for 3 weeks or if taking narcotic pain medication.
• No long trips for 3 weeks.
• No vigorous activity for 6 weeks (shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, raking leaves etc).
• No sexual activity for 8 weeks (minimum).
• If you experience discomfort, reduce activity, and more gradually resume activities.
• Regular light activity is encouraged several times daily. We encourage walking. Don't be a couch potato.
• Avoid bending during the first 6 weeks, and bend your knees and not your back if absolutely necessary.

For men with an abdominal incision

• Getting out of bed: Role to side and push up with arm. Do not do a "sit up" to get out bed.
• Staples will be removed 2 weeks after surgery.

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

• 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.
• Please take the medications as prescribed.
• 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 TWICE DAILY once the dressing have been removed.
• Gently wash the incision with soap and water, rinse, and pat dry.
• No baths, hot tubs, or swimming for 6 weeks or until after the catheter(s) have been removed

Skin Graft care

• Shower 2 times per day after the bolster is removed.
• Gently soap up the lower abdominal area and allow the soap and water to wash over the graft.
• Do not scrub the graft with soap and water.
• Gently pat the graft dry and allow to air dry.
• After the bolster is removed->apply aquafor over the glans and graft 2-4 times a day.

Donor Site Care

• The donor site will have a dressing in place for 5-7 days. Leave this on.

• Once the dressing is removed, wear shorts and let the donor site (usually from leg) air out. This will help it scab over quickly.
• Apply aquafor to donor site and wrap leg with saran wrap before putting on pants or to sleep until the site has completely scabbed over. This will prevent the donor site from "sticking" to clothes or sheets.

Catheter Care

• You will have a urethral catheter after surgery if you go home with a penile bolster. The catheter will be in place for 5-7 days.
• Your catheter should be anchored at all times to either your thigh or calf or abdomen. You will be instructed on how to do this while in the hospital.
• Using soap and water, wash around the meatus at the point of entry of the catheter. Place a small amount of bacitracin (triple antibiotic ointment) around the meatus three times a day until the catheter is removed.
• If your catheter becomes obstructed or falls out contact the office at 781-744-8420 or call the Lahey Clinic Urologist on-call.

Reasons to call your doctor

• Incision becomes red, swollen, opens, or has pus-like drainage.
• Skin around your incision becomes warmer than elsewhere.
• Decreased or absent urine from your catheter for 2 hours.
• Catheter becomes dislodged.
• 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.