SLING POST-OPERATIVE
INSTRUCTIONS
CATHETER CARE:
You may or may not go
home with a catheter or tube in your bladder. If you are able to urinate after
the surgery, you
probably will not require a catheter. If you are not unable to void, you will go
home with a catheter overnight. The
catheter will then be removed in the office the following morning.
In some cases, a home
health nurse may remove the catheter for you.
DIET:
You may return to your
normal diet immediately. However, because the bladder surface or lining may be
irritable as a result of the surgery,
alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, and cranberry drinks may cause some
irritation or sense of the need to void
despite the fact that the catheter is emptying the bladder. If these foods don't
bother you, however, there is no reason to avoid them in moderation. More
importantly is to keep your urine
flowing freely, drink plenty of fluids during the day (8 - 10 glasses). The type
of fluids (except alcohol) is not as
important as the amount. Water is best, but juices, coffee, tea, and soda are
all acceptable.
ACTIVITY:
Your physical activity is
to be restricted, especially during the first 4 weeks home. During this time
use the following guidelines:
a.
No lifting heavy
objects (anything greater that 15 lbs).
b.
No strenuous exercise, limit
stair climbing to minimum.
WOUND:
The sutures in the vagina
will dissolve on their own. Leave
the steri-strips in the pubic area until they fall off on their own.
You may shower the day after surgery, but no swimming or tub bathing for
7 days.
MEDICATION:
You should resume your
pre-surgery medication unless told not to. Pain pills (Vicodin or Percocet) may
also be given to help with wound and catheter discomfort. Tylenol
(acetaminophen) or Advil
(Ibuprofen) which have no narcotics are better if the pain is not too bad.
PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD REPORT TO US:
a.
Fevers over 101.5
Fahrenheit.
b.
Heavy bleeding, or clots in
the catheter or during voiding.
c.
Drug reactions
(Hives, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
d.
IF APPLICABLE, CALL
IMMEDIATELY IF THE CATHETER STOPS DRAINING OR YOU ARE UNABLE TO URINATE.
FOLLOW-UP: