GENERAL

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• Supplies: After surgery, drainage from the incisions is common. Therefore, there will be a dressing change requirement.

• Exercise/diet: exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet will help your postop recovery and promote overall good health.

• Constipation: defined as not having regular bowel movements (example: one large bowel movement per day is expected); very common after surgery.

• Smoking: any form of inhaled drug (like cigarettes, marijuana, vaping, including but not limited to nicotine free smoking) may lead to an increased risk of complications; failure to comply with avoiding smoking may lead to cancellation and rescheduling of your procedure.

• Assistance: it is important that you have someone to help you during your recovery.

• Showering: Shower the night before and the morning of surgery with an antibacterial soap such as Hibiclens®, Dial® or Lever 2000®. Take special care to cleanse your penis and genitals. Wash your hair the night before surgery. Do not apply deodorant, powder or lotion.

 

SUPPLIES

 

• Dressings: the list below has the most commonly used dressings for postop care

  • Gauze: 4x4 in gauzes work well; they are the right size for placing behind the scrotum and between the scrotum and phallus. Expect 1-2 x per day changes for about 4 weeks.

  • Rolls: Kerlix rolls work well for wrapping the leg and arm. When unrolled and fluffed, it acts as a soft “bean bag” to support the phallus in your underwear. A washcloth works just as well.

• Underwear: in general, slightly loose boxer briefs work well to hold the gauze in place​

  • Alternatively, mesh disposable underwear may be used and the facility will provide this before you leave.

• Ointments: in general, it is helpful to have a few on hand; they help wounds heal

  • Antibiotic ointment: bacitracin, Neosporin, or any other antibiotic can be obtained over the counter.

  • Neutral ointment: Vaseline, aquaphor; these don’t have antibiotics and are good for wounds that don’t need antibiotic.

  • Medi-honey: also an acceptable form of ointment

• Hibiclens: it is important to reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin prior to surgery.

  • Shower with Hibiclens 4% (aka chlorhexidine gluconate) starting 1-3 days prior to surgery. Avoid the head and face.

  • If allergic, use Dial or lever soap.

• Constipation prevention: begin regular use once you leave the hospital

  • Miralax powder tends to work best out of all the over-the-counter constipation meds. Use as directed to start; on occasion you will be asked to use it at an off- label dosage of 2-3 x per day to help with constipation.

• Medications:

  • ​Nausea meds: not required; may be ordered if requested or desired.

  • Pain meds: tylenol for 3-7 days is often required; for breakthrough pain, tramadol is often helpful. Details are in the postop instructions. 

 

Please note that this is not a complete list and is generalized for the average patient. We recognize that each patient will have individualized needs and therefore will require specific items not present on this list.

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RISKS

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Risks of surgery in general include bleeding, infection, anesthesia complication, pain, transfusion, blood-borne disease, sepsis (severe infection), medication reactions, positioning injuries including numbness or weakness of an extremity, heart attack, stroke, blood clots in legs or lungs, pneumonia, rhabdomyolysis, nausea, ileus, atelectasis, unsatisfactory aesthetics or function, other risks that are not listed but may uncommonly occur including death.

 

Risks of surgery in particular are reviewed in the consent.