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.
