Operative Instructions

Seven Days Before Surgery

• Stop Medications or Supplements that thin the blood.
• Call Dr. Nguyen to discuss how to stop blood thinners.
• Fill your pain medications prescription.
• Buy Milk of Magnesia
• Buy some Hibiclens (an over the counter antiseptic soap).

The Day Before Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything after 10 PM.
• The anesthesiologist may call.
• Shower and scrub your skin with Hibiclens

The Morning of Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything.
• You may take your usual medications with a sip of water.
• Shower and scrub your skin with Hibiclens
• Brush your teeth to decrease the bacteria in your mouth.
• Bring a list of your medications and allergies.
• Wear loose clothes.
• You will need a responsible adult to drive you home (not a taxi).

Postoperative Instructions

• Wait to eat until you are hungry. Hunger is a sign that your body is ready for food. Start with light meals.
• You must avoid constipation. If you have to strain for a bowel movement, then your muscles will pull on the sutures. Not good. Take Milk of Magnesia to keep the bowels moving.
• Your urine stream may be slow for a few days.
• The local anesthetic will keep the area numb for 8 to 16 hours.
• Wait until you start having pain before taking the pain medications.
• If the pain is mild, then take Advil or Tylenol
• If the pain is severe, then take your prescription medication
• Do not allow yourself to suffer. If you have pain, then use the medicines.
• Most patients take pain medications for about three days.
• Restart your routine medications such as medicines for blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Twelve hours after surgery, remove the bandage and tape. If you leave the bandage on too long, you will get blisters from the tape. You do not need a new dressing unless there is some bleeding.
• You may shower twelve hours after surgery. It is OK to get the wounds wet.
• Keep ice on the operative site for at least 24 hours.
• The area may turn black and blue (like a bruise). The black and blue often develop several days after surgery. The black and blue may extend down onto the thigh, penis, and scrotum. Do not worry, the bruise will resolve in several weeks.
• The testicle may swell. If it falls off, then call me. 🙂
• Rest. Light exercise and walking are OK. Stairs are OK. Listen to your body. If a particular activity causes sharp pain, then stop.
• When you feel strong, then contact me to discuss physical rehabilitation.
• It would be helpful if you have someone stay with you for 24 hours.
• Do not sign legal documents until you are off of the pain medications.
• You may drive a car once you have stopped the pain medications.
• Do not take alcohol with pain medication.
• You are welcome to have sex whenever you feel “up” to it.
• For patients who are from out of town, rest for one day in the area before traveling home.