Going Home After:
TWH
…… Hydrocele/Hydrocelectomy
…… Spermatocele/Spermatocelectomy
…… Vasovasectomy
…… Epididyectomy
…… Testicular biopsy
…… Orchidectomy
…… Varicocelectomy
t
f
a
r
D
You have had a general anesthetic.
Do not drive a car or drink alcohol for 24 hours.
Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca
© 2015 University Health Network. All rights reserved.
This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific
medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.
Author: Bruna Curti RN, BScN Reviewed by: TWH Urologist
Revised: 10/2015
Form: D-5025
About my sugery
A hydrocele is a collection of fluid around the testicles, which is usually
painless. Your surgeon does a hydrocelectomy to remove the fluid that is in
the sac by making a cut into the hydrocele.
A spermatocele can be a lump inside the scrotum filled with fluid and dead
sperm cells. It can also be formed because of an infection or injury.
A spermatocelectomy removes the lump from the scrotum.
A vasovasostomy (undoing a vasectomy) reconnects the tubes that were cut
during a vasectomy.
An epididyectomy is a surgery that removes the epididymis (the tube found
on the back of each testicle). Epididymitis is caused by an infection that
spreads from the urethra or the bladder.
A testicular biopsy tests a small sample from one or both testicles.
An orchiectomy removes your testicles because of swelling caused by a
bacterial infection or abnormal growth. testicular growth.
A varicocelectomy fixes varicose veins in the scrotum to help blood flow
properly to the penis and testicles. Sometimes this surgery raises your
chances of having children.
2
What can I eat or drink after my surgery?
You can go back to eating and drinking what you normally would
right away.
If you feel nauseated (sick to your stomach) or you are vomiting, you can
get anti-nausea medicine from your pharmacy without a prescription, such as
Gravol. Follow the directions on the bottle and keep drinking fluids until the
nausea passes. Then gradually return to what you would usually eat.
How much activity is safe?
You can go back to most of your normal activities.
For the first 4 weeks after your surgery:
• Do NOT lift anything more than 10 pounds (5 kilograms).
For example, do not carry groceries, or lift children or pets.
• Do NOT do tiring exercises. For example, no gardening, snow
shoveling, jogging, golfing, or skiing.
• No swimming for 3 to 4 weeks.
• Do NOT strain when you are having a bowel movement.
When can I have sex?
You can have sex when your surgeon says it is safe.
3
When can I take showers?
• You can take a shower 24 hours after your surgery.
• You can start taking baths again 3 or 4 weeks after your surgery.
• When you shower, remove the bandage carefully so that the drain is
NOT removed. Pat the area dry and cover the incision (cut) again with
clean gauze.
How do I take care of my wound?
• Your dressing may be removed after 1 day. Cover the area with a clean
gauze for 5 days.
• Keep the wound clean by always wearing clean underwear.
• Your stitches will fall off on their own.
• Wear scrotal support or jockey underwear for 1 week.
• To help with swelling, put an ice pack on the affected area. For the
first 24 hours only, leave the pack on for 30 minutes and then keep it
off for 1 hour during the day.
How do I care for my drain?
You may have a drain coming from below the incision (cut). The drain helps
to get rid of any extra fluid you may have.
It is normal to have fluid draining from the wound. There should be less fluid
every day until it stops completely. Always keep the wound covered until
your surgeon removes the drain.
4
Follow these steps to change your gauze (bandage):
1. Wash your hands before touching the bandage or the drain.
2. Remove the bandage carefully so that the drain is NOT removed.
3. Cover the wound and the drain with a 4x4 gauze and tape. You can buy
the gauze at your local pharmacy.
If the drain falls out, put a dry bandage over the incision and call your
surgeon right away.
Your surgeon may arrange for a nurse from the CCAC (Community Care
Access Centre) to help with the drain, if you need one. The nurse will begin
visiting you the day after your surgery.
The nurses in the hospital will let you know if your surgeon’s office has
arranged this. They will also give you the initial supplies you need.
To contact the CCAC call: 416 506 9888
Toll free: 1 877 701 4747
Your surgeon will remove the drain at your follow-up appointment.
How do I cope with the pain?
It is normal to have pain after this surgery. The pain should get better
with time.
We may give you a prescription for pain medicine. Take it to a pharmacy
to have it filled and follow the directions for taking the medicine.
• Take the pain medicine every 4 to 6 hours for the first day, if you are
feeling pain.
• After the first day, slowly take less. Take less and less until you don't
need any medicine. You could also change your medicine to Extra
Strength Tylenol® and take 1 to 2 pills only when you feel pain.
5
Pain medicine can make you constipated. If you have not had a bowel
movement in 3 days or if you have trouble having a bowel movement, then
you may be constipated.
To prevent constipation:
• Drink about 3 to 5 glasses of water every day. Each glass should be
about 8 ounces.
• Eat foods that are high in fibre like bran and fruit.
• If you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days, take 30 ml of
Milk of Magnesia. You can get this from your pharmacy without
a prescription.
What problems should I watch for?
Call your surgeon or call 416 340 3155 and ask to speak to the
Urology Resident on call. Or, go to the nearest hospital emergency
department if:
• You have a lot of pain that does not go away with pain medicine
• Your drain falls out
• You have a lot of bleeding
• You have a fever (temperature higher than 38 °C or 100 °F)
• You have redness or more pain than usual around the incision
• You have yellow fluid leaking from the incision
6
Follow-up appointment:
You must have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. Call your
surgeon’s office to make an appointment if one is not made for you.
……
Dr. Elterman
Main Pavilion
Phone: 416 6035033
8th Floor (Room 317)
……
Dr. Hassouna
Main Pavilion
Phone: 416 603 5018
8th Floor (Room 306)
……
Dr. Radomski
Main Pavilion
Phone: 416 603 5713
8th Floor (Room 304)
Date:_____________________________________________________
Time: ____________________________________________________
Special instructions for you:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
For more information visit our website at
www.uhn.ca or www.uhnpatienteducation.ca
7