Transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP) Information/Post-op care
For the best results from your TURP, follow the discharge instructions and keep your follow-up appointments.
Activity: Take is easy for 1-2 weeks. Do not engage in activities requiring heavy lifting (greater than 5kg), gardening or bicycling etc. This will increase the pressure your abdomen puts on your bladder and may result in more blood in your urine. Sexual activity should be avoided for 2-3 weeks.
Blood in the Urine (Haematuria): You may experience blood intermittently in the urine with or without small clots. This is to be expected. Generally, most men will experience a significant bleed 10-14days after surgery. It is especially important to keep well hydrated to assist in flushing out blood and small clots. Bleeding to the point where large blood clots are formed or the urine has the consistency of tomato sauce, is excessive. Should this happen, please go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.
Bowel Movements: It is important to keep your bowels regular. Straining with bowel movements can cause bleeding. A bowel movement every other day is reasonable. You may require a stool softener (over the counter) to promote regular bowel movements.
Driving: Driving should be avoided for at least 2 weeks after surgery or until you are not taking pain medications or are pain free.
Healing: You may notice that your urine is cloudy or that you have blood/clots in your urine. The prostatic urethra generally takes up to 6 to 7 weeks to heal. Initially a scab will form in the prostatic urethra and then slowly be replaced by normal urethral tissue (a process called re-epithelization). During this healing process, on occasion you may notice tissue "flakes" or scab pieces in your urine followed by small amounts of blood in your urine. This is normal while your body rids itself of the treated tissue. Your symptoms may begin to improve during the first few weeks, but it may take up to three months before they go away.
Urinary Symptoms: You may experience urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and discomfort (burning/stinging) with voiding. This should improve within a few weeks after surgery. Should you develop severe lower abdominal pain, difficulty voiding, fevers or bleeding as described above, please contact the rooms or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
Pain Control: You can expect to urethral discomfort from this procedure. Most patients do not require any prescription pain medications upon discharge. Generally, Paracetamol and/or Ural will be sufficient to control any discomfort you may have.
Follow-Up Appointment: You will have a follow-up appointment in rooms usually between 6- 8 weeks after the date of surgery. We generally require you attend with a full bladder as we may conduct an in rooms flow study and bladder scan. If you have not been given a date/time on discharge, please call the rooms on P: 03 5561 6038.
When to Seek Medical Attention:
• Bright red bleeding in urine with heavy clots
• Chills or fever over 3 degrees
• Feeling of bladder fullness that does not go away after urinating or inability to urinate.
• Severe pain that is not relieved by pain medication