Your recent bladder/ureter surgery requires very special post hospital care. The area in the bladder/ureter is quite raw. This will usually resolve over a period of weeks. You may see blood in your urine over the next 4-6 weeks. Do not be alarmed, even if the urine was clear for a while. If this occurs, decrease your activity and increase the amount of your fluid intake until the urine clears.

DIET

You may return to your normal diet immediately. Because of the raw surface, alcohol, spicy foods and drinks with caffeine may cause some irritation or frequency and should be used in moderation. To keep your urine flowing freely and to avoid constipation, drink plenty of fluids during the day (8-10 glasses).

ACTIVITY

Your physical activity is to be decreased especially during the first 4 weeks after surgery. During this time, use the following guidelines:

  • No lifting heavy objects (anything greater than 10-15 lbs.).
  • No driving until cleared by your physician and limit long car rides.
  • No strenuous exercise.
  • No sexual intercourse until Okayed by one of your doctors.
  • No severe straining during bowel movements - take a laxative if necessary.
  • You may walk as much as you want. You may use stairs, but be careful.
  • You may shower or take baths unless instructed not to do so.

BOWELS

It is important to keep your bowels regular during the postoperative period. A bowel movement every other day is reasonable. Use stool softeners (i.e. Colace, Senekot, Fibercon, etc.) if needed. Take a mild laxative if needed and call if you are having problems (Milk of Magnesia 2-3 tbsp. or 2 Dulcolax tablets for example).

MEDICATION

You should resume your Pre-surgery medications unless told not to. You should avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, Naprosyn, etc (Tylenol is okay). for the next 2 weeks or so until any bleeding subsides and some healing has occurred. In addition, you may be given an antibiotic to prevent infection and possibly stool softeners if indicated. These should be taken as prescribed until the bottles are finished unless you are having an unusual reaction to one of the medications. You may also be given some narcotic pain medication. Take this as indicated and discontinue this when you no longer feel you need them.

PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD REPORT TO US

  • Fevers over 101.3 Fahrenheit.
  • Heavy bleeding or clots (see notes above about blood in urine).
  • Inability to urinate.
  • Drug reactions (hives, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.).
  • Severe burning or pain with urination that is not improving.

FOLLOW-UP

You will need a follow-up appointment with a cystogram 10-14 days after surgery to make sure the bladder has healed. If this is okay, we will remove your foley catheter. We will then schedule an appointment to have your ureteral stent removed about 4-6 weeks after that.