Urethroplasty Recovery: The Weeks After Surgery

About this video

A guide to recovery after urethroplasty. Dr. Alex Vanni reviews what to expect, life with a catheter, caring for a buccal graft site, supporting your healing, what happens after the catheter is removed, and when to call the office.

Key points

• Bruising, mild bleeding, bladder spasms, and leakage around the catheter are common
• The catheter usually stays in for 1–4 weeks
• While the catheter is in, walk daily; avoid heavy lifting, yard work, and sexual activity
• Wash around the catheter with soap and water and apply bacitracin three times a day
• If a cheek graft was used, rinse with the special mouthwash 4 times a day
• Call for a fever of 101°F or higher, catheter problems, or uncontrolled pain

Chapters

1. 0:00Introduction
2. 0:23What to Expect
3. 0:52Life with a Catheter
4. 1:28Supporting Your Healing
5. 2:04After the Catheter
6. 2:18When to Call