WEYRICH UROLOGY

TURP is performed to help alleviate symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. The procedure reduces the size of the prostate by lasering or cutting prostate tissue away from the urethra. There are possible side effects which your urologic surgeon will discuss with you before you schedule the procedure. You will be admitted to the hospital for a short stay.

Pre Op Instructions

Seven Days Prior to Surgery:  Discontinue blood thinning medications.

Evening Before Surgery:    You are to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

Morning of the Surgery:    You are to give yourself a Fleets enema before entering the hospital.

Preparations before Surgery:    

• The operative area (penis, scrotum, and surrounding area) will be cleaned with an iodine preparation (Betadine) to help reduce the risk of skin infection. This will be done in the Operating Room before the TURP is done.
• Your blood type will be determined even though it is unlikely that you would need blood. Blood transfusions are given ONLY when large amounts of blood have been lost. Most patients do not require a transfusion, but blood type screening is a precautionary measure.
• You will discuss your choice of anesthesia with the anesthesiologist.  Most patients have a spinal anesthesia for this procedure.

Post Op Instructions

After Your Surgery:

• The TURP will take approximately one hour.  Recovery time varies depending on the type of anesthesia but, generally, patients stay an average of one and one half to two hours in the recovery area.
• While in the recovery area you may feel tension on your catheter, the drainage tube left in place in your bladder.  This tension helps to control bleeding from the area where the TURP was performed.  If used, the tension is usually left on the catheter for 8-16 hours.
• You may notice a large plastic bag of clear liquid hanging at the front of your bed.  This provides continuous irrigation into the bladder, cleansing it of blood and any blood clots that may have formed.  The solution then drains out of your bladder by way of your catheter and into a collecting bag.  The color of the solution coming from the catheter may vary from red or pink to clear.  During the first few days it is not unusual to see red colored solution draining from the catheter.

After Surgery Instructions:    

• Remember that the raw area inside your body will take at least six weeks to three months to heal completely.  Avoid stresses and strains that might damage the raw surface where you had surgery.
• Drink ONE 8oz glass of water per hour during waking hours.
• Urinate as needed, but no more than 3 hours should pass without you emptying your bladder. Should you be unable to pass your urine contact our office, or go to the Emergency Department.
• Avoid straining during bowel movements.  Take your stool softener as prescribed.  If problems persist, contact our office for further instruction.
• Blood may be seen in the urine for brief periods within six weeks to three months after surgery.  This is not cause for alarm.  Should this occur go to bed, rest quietly and drink plenty of clear liquids.

Activity:          

• NO driving for any distance for two weeks.
• NO long auto rides, nothing more than 10 miles for two weeks.
• Level walking is permitted and encouraged when slowly increasing distance daily.
• NO fast stair climbing.
• NO heavy lifting or any pushing of objects
• ABSOLUTELY NO sexual intercourse.
• NO sports whatsoever.

Post Catheter Removal Expectations:

• Possible burning during urination
• Frequency (passing urine at short intervals, in small amounts)
• Nocturia (getting up at night to pass urine)
• Urgency (feeling a sudden need to pass urine, even though the bladder may not be full)
• Dry Ejaculation (Once sexual intercourse is resumed, you may find no semen is ejaculated. This is a common occurrence.  This may not occur, but is the rule rather than the exception)

CONTACT THE DOCTOR IF:
There are any signs of infection, such as a fever greater than 101.5 F, undue swelling or testicular pain.

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS NOT ALREADY EXPLAINED TO YOU, CONTACT OUR OFFICE OR, IF AN EMERGENCY, GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT