Suprapubic Prostatectomy
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 7, 2024.
Suprapubic prostatectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your prostate gland. Your prostate gland is found below your bladder and surrounds the top of your urethra. Your urethra is a tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body. You may need suprapubic prostatectomy if you have an enlarged prostate.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:
- You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
- You cough up blood.
Call your doctor or surgeon if:
- Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- You feel the urge to urinate, but no urine comes out.
- You have pain in your lower back or abdomen that does not go away.
- Your scrotum becomes swollen.
- You have a fever or chills.
- Your wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
- You have bright red blood in your urine, or your urine is cloudy and smells bad.
- Your urine stream becomes slower than normal, or you are urinating only small amounts.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics help prevent an infection.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
- Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
- Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
- Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
- Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip does or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Foley catheter care:
Keep the bag below your waist. If the bag is too high, urine will flow back into your bladder. This can cause an infection. Do not pull on the catheter. This may cause pain and bleeding, and the catheter may come out. Do not let the catheter tubing kink or twist. A kink or twist will block the flow of urine.
Help decrease urine leakage:
After surgery, you may leak urine and have trouble controlling when you urinate. Ask for more information about the following ways to help decrease urine leakage:
- Avoid caffeine. It can cause problems with bladder control and increase your need to urinate.
- Do pelvic floor muscle exercises. They may help improve your bladder control. These exercises are done by tightening and relaxing your pelvic muscles. Ask how to do pelvic floor muscle exercises, and how often to do them.
- Limit your liquid intake. Drink smaller amounts of liquid throughout the day. Do not drink before bedtime. Ask if you should decrease the amount of liquid you drink each day. This may help you control your bladder.
- Wear a pad or adult diapers. These may help absorb leaking urine and decrease odor.
Return to your usual activities as directed:
Rest when you need to while you heal after surgery. Slowly start to do more each day. Return to your daily activities as directed. You may be able to return to your daily activities in 4 to 6 weeks.
Follow up with your doctor or surgeon as directed:
You may need to return to have your catheter removed. You may also need tests to check if you bladder empties completely when you urinate. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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