Post Op so far
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:21 pm
I had surgery implanting the Coloplast on the 9th--6 days ago--. My experience is similar to others I have read about but the more the better. I also have a few suggestions.
As a preface, I want to say that a several weeks of discomfort is expected and was not a deterrent
I flew to Baltimore from Denver on the 7th and met with the Dr. on the 8th. I was set for the first surgery for Wed. the 9th.
Day 1. I have to say that the pain after the surgery was more than I expected. I had a sever burning sensation under the scrotum. I stayed in the hospital over night. I had a hard time sleeping and requested pain meds very 4 hours. Apparently they prescribe oxycodone in 5 or 10 mg doses. I was prescribed 5mg every 4 hours. If i kew then what I know now I would have asked the Dr. to give the nurse flexibility to give me 10 mgs if needed. I know he would not have had a problem with that. For those getting the surgery it wouldn't hurt to ask for the larger dose on an as needed basis.
Day 2. The pain subsided considerably by the time I went back to the hotel. There was still pain and although I could have gotten by without pain meds I did take them from time to time. Sitting as opposed to laying down was painful. I was scheduled to fly home to Denver the next day. With my level of discomfort sitting I really could not imagine getting on an airplane for a 4 hour flight in 24 hours. I even tried to get my reservation changed but was unable to do so. My Dr. said I would be OK to fly.
Day 3. By the time i needed to go to the airport I was really without pain. Some discomfort when moving around. But no more pain. The flight back (just like the Dr. said) went just fine. It was a non even. I did get a wheelchair in both Baltimore and Denver to get me to the gate and in Denver to the baggage pickup. If you are traveling for the surgery I do suggest the wheelchair to keep you off your feet. I took a few tylenol for the flight, but no other pain meds.
Day 4, 5 and 6. No pain but still discomfort. Moving around is done carefully. Every now and then I will move in a certain way that stretches the stitches and that is momentarily painful. I enjoyed watching the Masters to kill time. No pain meds.
Day 7. One of my worries going into the surgery was whether I would be able to attend a court hearing on "day 7". There was no option, I had to be there. Well it was no problem. I walked a couple of blocks to the courthouse, sat for a hour waiting my turn. I would not be ready yet to go to work (I am retired) but getting out to the grocery store etc feels good. No pain meds.
One other observation. It is still a little difficult to pee. I think it is because the implant is partially inflated so it is like trying to pee when you have an erection. Has anyone else had this experience.
I had my survey with Dr. Andrew Kramer in Baltimore. He was very caring and a good listener. He came by to see me in the hospital 3 times post op. On Sunday (day 5) he emailed me to see how I was doing and gave me his cell phone number to call with any questions. I was very impressed by him and he does a LOT of these.
As a preface, I want to say that a several weeks of discomfort is expected and was not a deterrent
I flew to Baltimore from Denver on the 7th and met with the Dr. on the 8th. I was set for the first surgery for Wed. the 9th.
Day 1. I have to say that the pain after the surgery was more than I expected. I had a sever burning sensation under the scrotum. I stayed in the hospital over night. I had a hard time sleeping and requested pain meds very 4 hours. Apparently they prescribe oxycodone in 5 or 10 mg doses. I was prescribed 5mg every 4 hours. If i kew then what I know now I would have asked the Dr. to give the nurse flexibility to give me 10 mgs if needed. I know he would not have had a problem with that. For those getting the surgery it wouldn't hurt to ask for the larger dose on an as needed basis.
Day 2. The pain subsided considerably by the time I went back to the hotel. There was still pain and although I could have gotten by without pain meds I did take them from time to time. Sitting as opposed to laying down was painful. I was scheduled to fly home to Denver the next day. With my level of discomfort sitting I really could not imagine getting on an airplane for a 4 hour flight in 24 hours. I even tried to get my reservation changed but was unable to do so. My Dr. said I would be OK to fly.
Day 3. By the time i needed to go to the airport I was really without pain. Some discomfort when moving around. But no more pain. The flight back (just like the Dr. said) went just fine. It was a non even. I did get a wheelchair in both Baltimore and Denver to get me to the gate and in Denver to the baggage pickup. If you are traveling for the surgery I do suggest the wheelchair to keep you off your feet. I took a few tylenol for the flight, but no other pain meds.
Day 4, 5 and 6. No pain but still discomfort. Moving around is done carefully. Every now and then I will move in a certain way that stretches the stitches and that is momentarily painful. I enjoyed watching the Masters to kill time. No pain meds.
Day 7. One of my worries going into the surgery was whether I would be able to attend a court hearing on "day 7". There was no option, I had to be there. Well it was no problem. I walked a couple of blocks to the courthouse, sat for a hour waiting my turn. I would not be ready yet to go to work (I am retired) but getting out to the grocery store etc feels good. No pain meds.
One other observation. It is still a little difficult to pee. I think it is because the implant is partially inflated so it is like trying to pee when you have an erection. Has anyone else had this experience.
I had my survey with Dr. Andrew Kramer in Baltimore. He was very caring and a good listener. He came by to see me in the hospital 3 times post op. On Sunday (day 5) he emailed me to see how I was doing and gave me his cell phone number to call with any questions. I was very impressed by him and he does a LOT of these.