Penile Implant Post-Op Recovery Instructions

Post-operative recovery instructions from Dr. Alex J. Vanni — Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA

Penile Implant Recovery

Watch this video for an overview of what to expect after your penile implant procedure.


Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Post-Operative Instructions

What you can expect

  • Bruising and some mild bleeding from incision site(s).
  • Bruising and swelling of scrotum and penis for the first 2 weeks.
  • Possible pain and/or burning with urination.
  • May experience operative site pain during the early time after surgery and when you first use your prosthesis.

Activity

  • No heavy lifting (more than 10 lbs) for 4 weeks.
  • No driving 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 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.
  • No activity that involves straddling for 6 weeks (riding a bike, motorcycle, ATV, horse back riding etc).
  • Keep the penis pointing towards the abdomen for the first 4 weeks at all times.

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.
  • You may be prescribed oxycodone for pain. Please take this as prescribed.
  • Please take your 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 781-744-8420or call the Lahey Clinic Urologist on-call.
  • For non-emergent issues please send a message via myLahey Chart

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 or hot tubs for 4 weeks

      Cycling your prosthesis

      • An appointment with your surgeon will be made 2-4 weeks after surgery to learn how to operate your prosthesis.

          Reasons to call your doctor

          • Incision becomes red, swollen, opens, or has pus-like drainage.
          • Skin around your incision becomes warmer than elsewhere.
          • Inability to urinate for 8 hours.
          • Chills or fever greater than 101 degrees F.
          • Nausea and vomiting or inability to keep down fluids.
          • Severe pain not controlled by pain medication.
          • Erosion of the device out of the incision, urethra, or penis.

          Additional instructions

          • Keep the penis pointing towards your head (penis is towards abdomen) when wearing underwear.
          • 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.

          Questions about your recovery?

          Call Dr. Vanni's office at Lahey Hospital

          (781) 744-8762  ·  Option 1  ·  Burlington, MA

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          Dr. Alex J. Vanni provides expert urethral stricture treatment at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, serving patients from Boston, Providence Rhode Island, Hartford Connecticut, Burlington Vermont, Manchester New Hampshire, and Portland Maine. Patients with complex urethral stricture cases are referred nationally from across the United States to Dr. Vanni for definitive reconstruction.

          Dr. Vanni