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Bladder Neck Suspension - Home Care

This handout is about caring for yourself at home after surgery and on follow-up care.  If you have any questions about the information, please be sure to ask your nurse or doctor.

 

What to Expect after Surgery

 

  • It is normal to feel some soreness in the surgical area for 1 to 3 weeks after surgery.  Pain medicine will be prescribed for you.  Be sure to follow the instructions for taking the medicine.

 

  • After the catheter is removed, you may feel some burning when you urinate.  You might also feel the need to urinate often.  Some feel an urgent need to urinate.  These feelings will go away in a few weeks.

 

Dressing Changes

 

Keep a dry dressing over the incision until the drainage stops.  The dressing should be changed at least once a day, more often if needed.  Your nurse will show you how to change the dressing before you leave the hospital.  You will be given the supplies to use at home.

 

Guidelines

 

  • Do not lift more than 10 pounds (1 gallon of milk) for 4 weeks.

 

  • Do not drive for 1-2 weeks or while you are taking narcotic pain medicine.

 

  • You may shower after 2 days.

 

  • Put nothing in the vagina for 1 month (e.g. tampons, douches).  Sexual activity can be resumed after 1 month.

 

  • Do not strain when you have a bowel movement.  Avoid constipation.

 

  • The length of time needed before you can return to work depends on how you heal.  It also depends on the type of work you do.  Be sure to check with your doctor about when you can return to work.  Also ask when you can start doing more strenuous activities.

 

  • Drink  8 (8-oz.) glasses of fluid a day.  Any kind of fluid is OK except alcohol.

 

  • Do not let your bladder get too full.  It will increase pressure in your bladder.

 

Follow-Up Care

 

Your first follow-up visit will be scheduled for you before you are discharged.

 

Call your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms

  • Incision becomes red, tender, or swollen
  • Pus-like drainage occurs
  • Temperature above 100.5º F (orally)
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Bloody urine

 

Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm call

 

Urology clinic staff:  (608) 263-4757

Your urologist is ____________________________

 

Nights and weekends: Call (608) 262-0486.  This number will give you the message center.  Ask the operator to page the urology resident on call.  Be sure to give your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942.

 

Your medical record number ______________________________________

 



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/03/2009

Copyright © 07/02/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4414

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