Postoperative Instructions For Removal Of Penile Lesion

24 hours postop

Do not drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after anesthesia. Do not take alcohol, tranquilizers, sleeping medication or any non-prescription medication for 24 hours after anesthesia or if taking pain medication.

Diet

Begin with clear liquids. Avoid any heavy meals on the day of the procedure. Depending on how you feel the next day, you may resume your normal diet the day of surgery. Drink plenty of water.

Activity

Avoid any strenuous activity for two to three weeks. This includes activity such as going to the gym, yardwork and stretching exercises. You should avoid lifting anything over 20 pounds for the next four to six weeks. Avoid sexual activity for six weeks.

Wound care

You will feel more comfortable if you put ice on the penis (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first four to six hours after surgery. Wear a scrotal support (jock strap) for two weeks or as directed. It is normal to have discomfort, some swelling and bruising of the skin near the incision that can last up to two weeks.

Bathing

Wait 24 hours to take a bath or shower. Remove the scrotal support and dressing at that time. Stitches in the skin will dissolve on their own over the next two to three weeks. There may be some redness and irritation as they dissolve.

Medication

You can obtain good pain relief by taking two acetaminophen (Tylenol) every four hours for the first several days. You may also get a prescription for pain pills which you may use in addition to acetaminophen (Tylenol) every four hours. Do not take more than 3000 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) per day. You may take two ibuprofen tabs ever four to six hours in addition to acetaminophen (Tylenol) and the prescription medication. Ibuprofen has been shown to decrease the number of pain pills needed to be comfortable as well as decreases swelling and inflammation.

Anesthesia and prescription pain medication can make you constipated. Straining to have a bowel movement can harm the surgery site. Be sure to avoid constipation by taking plenty of fiber and water. You may take over the counter medications such as docusate (Colace), senna (SennaGen or Senokot), bisacodyl (Dulcolax), polyethylene glycol (Miralax), mineral oil, magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia). You may use over the counter suppositories such as bisacodyl (Dulcolax) or enema such as tap water or sodium phosphate (Fleets).

Postop appointment

Call the office to make an appointment in two to four weeks if you do not already have a postoperative appointment.