Penile Implant
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Activities
►Beginning the day you return home, you may climb stairs and move about your home for meals, to go to the bathroom or to watch television. The most important thing one can do to minimize swelling and post-operative discomfort is to avoid standing except for brief periods for the first 3 post-operative days. After that, one can slowly increase activity as long as the post-operative discomfort is decreasing. Remember, even though we place local anesthetic during surgery and pain medications are prescribed for the post-operative period, post-operative pain is normal. Swelling and bruising are normal following this procedure and resolve without intervention in about 2 weeks.
► Do not begin purposeful exercise, such as walking, until at least the end of the second week. Some people may require as much as two additional weeks, even though they are having a “normal” post-operative recovery. Most are not ready for heavy gym type exercise until six weeks after surgery.
►A padded ice bag applied to the surgical area may be helpful for the first 24 hours. After that it usually provides little benefit.
►You may shower beginning the second day you are home, but do not take tub baths for three weeks. Pat dry your surgical incision after you shower.
► Your incision is covered by either Dermabond glue or Steri-Strip tapes. They support the skin closure, but be assured that an absorbable suture line just under the skin is actually holding the incision together. Dermabond glue or Steri-Strips usually peel off spontaneously after two weeks.
►Do not drive for one week. You may begin again when you are no longer taking pain medicine. Try a short trip around the block first, just to make sure you have recovered enough to begin driving in earnest.
►Wear a scrotal supporter for three days. Support your penis in an upright position against your abdomen for six weeks. It is very important that your penis stays straight up and not at a downward angle during this time.
►Do not have any sexual activity for six weeks. Specific instructions will be given at the six week visit.
►You may eat the foods you normally eat.
►If your are constipated, drink eight to ten glasses of water a day and use Milk of Magnesia, which can be bought at any drugstore or grocery store without a prescription.
We plan post-operative appointments at 2 and 6 weeks and at 3 months with Dr. Milam. We are happy to see you at any other time if you feel that your post-operative course is not routine.
Call the urologic surgical practice 24/7 at (615-322-2880) if you have…
● fever over 101ºF
● redness or drainage from your incision
● nausea and vomiting
● any other questions
