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Penile Grafting: What to Expect

Penile grafting corrects the curve in the penis and can also correct other deformities caused by Peyronie's disease (PD). During the penile grafting procedure, surgeons remove the plaque or swelling that has created a tough covering of the erectile portion of the penis. They replace this tough covering with a graft of synthetic or biological material. 

This procedure should correct the curve of your penis.

The Night Before Surgery

Our staff will call you one business day before your surgery to give you an arrival time. We will review your prep instructions, which are also listed below.

You may also contact the pre-operative staff for your arrival time between 2-5 pm one business day before your surgery.

Call 801-213-4891 if your surgery is at South Jordan Health Center.
Call 801-585-1449 if your surgery is at University of Utah Hospital.

Pre-Surgery Instructions

Before your procedure, we ask that you prepare by doing the following:

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery. This includes chewing tobacco, gum, and mints. You may brush your teeth without swallowing any water.
  • Arrange for a ride home with an adult.
  • Remove contact lenses or bring your lens case.
  • Leave any valuables at home or with family.
  • Arrange to check in for surgery at your arrival time.
  • Bring your identification, insurance cards, and any applicable co-pay or deductible payment with you to check in. 

What to Expect During & After Surgery

Day of Procedure

People react differently to surgical procedures, but most men experience the symptoms below.

  • Bruising and some mild bleeding from the incision site
  • Possible bruising and pain at the IV site
  • Possible pain, burning in the urethra from catheter

Care

  • Take it easy.
  • Do not overeat.
  • Take deep breaths and cough so you don't get pneumonia.
  • ICE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND: apply a cold pack (never directly on the skin) intermittently (20 minutes at a time) for 24 hours.

Diet

  • Make sure you keep hydrated: drink eight glasses of water a day.
  • Eat bland food (toast, broth, and the like).
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Medications

  • Resume your prescribed medications EXCEPT for aspirin or blood thinners (coumadin, warfarin, heparin, and the like).
  • Take your new prescribed medications.

Post-Surgery Instructions

24 Hours After

  • You will follow up with a doctor the day after surgery for a wound-check and your first dressing change.

  • You can expect these things 24 hours after your surgery:

    • pain/swelling may be worse today than yesterday,
    • possibly see pink tinge in urine,
    • possible trouble initiating the urinary stream, or
    • bandage may have caked blood.
  • Ice is your best friend: apply a cold pack intermittently.

Diet

  • If you feel like it, eat a normal diet and fluid intake.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Medications

  • Take your regular medications.
  • May resume blood thinners if this has been okayed at clinic visit.
  • Continue pain medications if needed. May take Tylenol extra-strength INSTEAD of prescribed medications if desired.

After the Second Day

  • Swelling and bruising of penis may be more than the previous days.
  • Change the dressing, once a day for 10 days. Leave the yellow gauze on until you take the first shower (five days after surgery). May clean yourself with a washcloth and keep the wound dry for five days after the operation. You can cover the wound with a condom or small plastic bag if you want to take a shower.
  • After the yellow gauze is removed, apply antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, neosporine, or polysporine) to the incision wound twice a day for five more days. Do not drive, especially if you are having discomfort and/or are taking narcotic pain medications (vicodin, percocet, tylox, and the like).

Diet

  • Continue normal diet and good fluid intake.

Medications

  • Take your regular medications.
  • May resume blood thinners if this has been ok’d at clinic visit.
  • Continue pain medications if needed. May take Tylenol extra-strength INSTEAD of prescribed medications if desired.

72 Hours After

Diet 

  • Continue normal diet and good fluid intake.

Medications

  • Take your regular medications.
  • May resume blood thinners if this has been ok’d at clinic visit.
  • Continue pain medications if needed. May take Tylenol extra-strength INSTEAD of prescribed medications if desired.

Three to Four Weeks After

  • The stitches on the skin will dissolve automatically
  • You may see redness or slight separation of wound. This is not a problem.

Miscellaneous

  • NO sexual activity (sex or masturbation) for eight weeks.
  • NO bath/hot tub/swimming for six weeks. Shower is OK.
  • Narcotic pain medication may cause constipation, itching, nausea/vomiting, wooziness. Make sure you are having regular bowel movements (may use Metamucil, milk of magnesium, and the like) and that you do NOT drive if taking narcotic medications.

When Should You Call a Doctor?

Please call the urology services clinic at 801-213-2700 if:

  • Your pain is not adequately controlled with medication.
  • You cannot urinate for more than eight hours.

The clinic hours are M-F, 8am–5pm. There is a urologist on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for issues that cannot wait until the office is open.

If you feel you have a problem that is an emergency, call 911 or go to a local emergency room.

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