Before Penile Implant Surgery
To have a successful procedure, it’s important to follow these pre-surgery instructions.
Five Days Before Surgery
Your provider should give you either Betasept or Hibiclens soap at your pre-operative appointment. These soaps can also be purchased at any local pharmacy without a prescription.
Follow the instructions below beginning five days prior to your surgery:
- Wash your hair with regular shampoo and be sure to rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove any shampoo residue. Rinse your body thoroughly with water from the neck down.
- Apply your Betasept or Hibiclens soap directly on your skin and thoroughly wash from your neck to your knees, concentrating especially on your groin area, including your lower abdomen, genitals, and the front and back of your inner thighs.
- Rinse well with warm water.
- Do not use any other soap, body wash, or shampoo after applying and rinsing your Betasept or Hibiclens soap.
- Put on freshly laundered clothing after showering or bathing.
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
- 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
People react differently to surgical procedures, but most men experience the symptoms below.
Day of Procedure
- Bruising and mild bleeding from the incision
- Possible bruising and pain at the IV site
- Possible pain at the operative site, bladder, and urethra
You’ll also have a small catheter in place to help you empty your bladder after surgery, which can cause discomfort and blood-tinged urine (pink or reddish).
You will be hospitalized overnight.
24 to 48 Hours After Procedure
- Swelling and pain that is worse than it was the day before
- Possible persistent bladder and urethral discomfort
- Possible trouble initiating the urinary stream
Your dressing may also have dried blood on it.
72 Hours After Procedure
- Increased swelling and bruising of the penis
- Possible pain/sensitivity of the scrotum/testicles
- Possible pain in the lower abdomen
After Surgery Care Instructions
To have the best, safest recovery, you need to follow these after-care instructions exactly.
Right After Surgery to Three Days
You can use ice or cold packs (switching between the two) for 20 minutes at a time for the first 48 to 72 hours following your surgery. Do not place the packs directly on your skin.
Following the 48 to 72 hours, you can use a heat pack up to three times daily for comfort.
Three Days After Surgery
Three days after surgery, you should gently pull the pump down in your scrotum, so it stays in a good position. You should do this daily. Your implant will be 50 percent inflated until your first follow up visit two weeks after surgery.
It's best to wear briefs or similar snug underwear and have your penis facing up toward your abdomen for a month after your surgery. This will help give the penis the best angle when you're ready to use your implant.
The following tips are also vital to a healthy recovery:
- Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for two weeks--note that walking is encouraged during your recovery.
- Do not swim or soak in a bath or hot tub for four weeks.
- Do not engage in sexual activity (including masturbation) for six weeks.
- Do not drive while in pain and/or while taking narcotic pain medication.
Do's & Don'ts
Day of Procedure
Don’t drive a car, make important personal or legal decisions, or be left alone without supervision.
Don’t consume any alcoholic beverages.
Do take it easy and avoid unnecessary activity.
Do apply cold packs/ice as directed.
Do stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water per day.
Do eat bland foods like toast, broth, or the like.
24 Hours After Procedure
Don’t shower for two days after your operation.
Do clean yourself with a washcloth.
Do continue applying cold packs/ice as directed.
Do eat a normal diet if you feel like it.
48 Hours After Procedure
Don’t drive – especially if you are having discomfort and/or are taking a narcotic pain medication.
Do change your dressing once a day for five days.
Do continue applying cold packs/ice as direct.
Do take a shower but try to keep your incisions dry.
72 Hours After Procedure
Do continue changing your dressing once a day for two more days.
Do begin applying a heat pack up to three times daily.
Do begin gently pulling downward on your pump to make sure it stays in a good position. You can do this daily.
Medication After Surgery
Twenty-four hours after your procedure you can start taking your prescribed medications again, except for aspirin or blood thinners, like Coumadin, Warfarin, and Heparin (unless approved by your provider).
You can also take your new prescribed medications that you received when you left the hospital. Continue to take your pain medications if needed—you may take Tylenol extra-strength instead of your prescribed pain medications if you so choose.
Contact Us
Call our urology clinic at 801-587-1454 if:
- Your pain is not adequately controlled with medication.
- You cannot urinate for more than eight hours.
- You experience strong chills or a fever of 101.5°.
- Your pain increases at the operative site, especially more than a week after surgery.
- You have drainage/pus at your operative site or near it, especially if parts of the implant can be seen through the skin.
- You cannot work the pump to deflate it six weeks after surgery.
If you feel you have a problem that is an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, immediately.
Meet Our Patients
Gene Miluk
The first time he experienced ED in his mid-50s he thought it was just a fluke, which was a reasonable assumption to make. More than half of men experience episodic erectile dysfunction at some time in their life from things like stress, too much alcohol, or as a side effect of medication.
