Post operative care

What to expect after surgery

After the surgery you will be transferred from recovery to the ward. When you first arrive back in the ward you will have a drip in your arm giving you fluids which is removed when you are drinking enough oral fluids.

You will have a catheter in your bladder. The drip and the catheter will be removed when the urine is clear with a minimal amount of blood in it.

Pain

You can expect to have mild pain at the operation site. Pain in the prostate is felt in the rectum, perineum or lower abdomen, and there are a number of ways to manage your pain. You will be ordered painkillers and if you have pain, it is important that you ask your nurse for some pain killers as you will recover faster if your pain level is controlled. The pain is usually not severe and should continue to decrease in intensity for 7-10 days after the operation.

Occasionally, patients can have pain at the tip of their penis and the urgent desire to pass urine despite having a catheter in the bladder draining urine. This is called bladder spasms. It is due to the catheter irritating the bladder and causing the bladder to contract giving the sensation of the urgent need to pass urine. If this occurs, let the nursing staff know as there are several medications that can be used to treat these symptoms.

Intravenous fluid (Drip)

You will have a drip in your arm when you come back from surgery. This will be removed when you are able to eat and drink normally and when you are no longer feeling sick. If you feel nauseated please tell your nurse as she will be able to give you medication to make you feel better.

Bowels

You may experience some difficulty with moving your bowels in the early days after the surgery. It is important that you do not strain and if you are having trouble moving your bowels, let the nursing staff know so they can give you some laxatives and stool softeners.

Catheter

The catheter will remain in until the morning after the procedure. After it is removed, most men pass urine normally. Once the catheter is removed, you will be observed for approximately 4-6 hours and if you are passing urine normally, you will be allowed to be discharged from hospital.

Urination

Once the catheter comes out you may have a burning sensation when you pass urine. This is quite normal and will usually settle within a few days. If the burning sensation lasts longer than 3 days or you have fevers, temperatures or feel unwell then you must contact Dr Swindle or your GP immediately. Most patients will have a better flow after the surgery but many will have a period when they pass urine frequently and with some urgency. This is variable but can last up to 8-12 weeks and will soon resolve.

Post operative care

After GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy, the cavity left in the prostate will take between 8 to 12 weeks to heal completely and the full benefits of the procedure appreciated.

Patients experience relief of urinary symptoms almost instantly, with urine flow it typically restored soon after the procedure however urinary frequency and urgency may take up to 12 weeks to resolve. The following are a few tips to aid your recovery:

Fluid Intake

During the first 1-2 weeks after the operation, it is important to drink plenty of fluid to flush any new bleeding from the bladder. The amount of fluid drunk usually depends on the amount of blood in your urine. If your urine is quite bloodstained, you may need to drink up to 3 litres of water per day. If you urine stops being bloodstained and the prostate cavity has healed then a fluid intake of 2 litres per day is adequate. Avoid alcohol and coffee for the first few weeks after the procedure as this may make urinary frequency and urgency worse.

Antibiotics

Sometimes after GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy, patients are discharged on antibiotics. This usually occurs in patients who had a catheter in before the operation or who had been having urinary infections before the operation. It is important that if you are discharged on antibiotics that the full course be completed.

Activity

To lower the risk of bleeding after the operation, it is important not to be too active. Avoid lifting, gardening, golf or other demanding activities in the first two weeks or so after surgery. Normal daily activities such as normal walking can occur immediately after the procedure however try to avoid driving a car for at least a week after the procedure. Sexual activity should be avoided for at least 4 weeks.

Bowels

It is important not to become constipated as the need to strain to empty the bowel, may cause bleeding. Extra fibre in the diet and a larger fluid intake helps to make sure the bowel actions are soft and regular. If you are prone to constipation, let Dr Swindle and the nursing staff know and you may be prescribed a laxative to take whilst in hospital and after discharge.

When to contact Dr Swindle post surgery

Dr Swindle is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 0409 103 333. Never hesitate to call him if you have any concerns or if you feel unwell.

He would prefer to be contacted and know if there are any problems. If you can’t contact Dr Swindle and you are concerned then go to your nearest emergency department.

There are certain complications that require emergency medical treatment and if any of the following occur, go immediately to your nearest emergency department. Once you have sought emergency treatment then contact Dr Swindle or have the medical staff contact Dr Swindle.

  • Severe infection – Sepsis – This is a severe form of infection and is otherwise known as blood poisoning. This occurs in 1 in 200 patients. The symptoms consist of fevers, chills, shaking, lethargy, warm skin, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness and a general feeling of being unwell. If this happens it is a medical emergency. You must go to your nearest hospital or emergency department as soon as possible and do not delay. Once having sought emergency medical treatment then contact Dr Swindle on 0409 103 333.
  • Bleeding – If you are passing a large amount of blood in your urine or are passing blood clots contact Dr Swindle. If you can’t contact Dr Swindle then go immediately to your nearest emergency department.
  • Difficulty urinating – If you are having trouble passing your urine and have abdominal pain, contact Dr Swindle. If you can’t contact Dr Swindle then go immediately to your nearest emergency department.
Follow up after a GreenLight Laser Prostatectomy

Dr Swindle would like to see you six to eight weeks after your operation in the rooms for a post surgical consultation. Please telephone the rooms to make this appointment 07 3010 3333.

If you have any queries regarding robotic surgery please contact Dr Swindle’s office directly on above phone number or by email at: reception@qprostate.com.

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