Transurethral Resection of the Bladder: What to Expect at Home (2024)

FAQs

What to expect after transurethral resection of the bladder? ›

You may feel the need to urinate frequently for a while after the surgery, but this should improve with time. It may burn when you urinate. Drink lots of fluids to help with the burning. Your urine also may look pink for up to 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.

You might go home on the same day of your operation. But sometimes you have to stay in overnight or for a couple of days. You usually have it under general anaesthetic, which means you are asleep. In some hospitals, you may have a spinal anaesthetic instead of a general anaesthetic.

It is important for you to avoid prolonged sitting. You should avoid sexual activity during this time. Also, avoid driving. The danger is not so much the driving, but it may delay you from urinating if you have the urge; and, "holding" urine may cause bleeding.

After a TURP, the cavity left in the prostate will take between 8 to 12 weeks to heal completely and the full benefits of the procedure appreciated.

Contact your doctor if these symptoms last for more than a few weeks. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for around three weeks after your surgery. This means you should not lift grocery bags, children, pets or other things that cause you to strain until your doctor tells you that it is okay to.

Plan to rest for a few days after your TURBT. You may have a catheter left in your bladder after the procedure to allow your bladder to empty and heal. This may need to be kept in for several days if bleeding continues.

Almost all patients will go home with a catheter that will remain for 2-4 days based on the depth and size of resection. Antibiotics will be necessary throughout this time. The catheterization allows for bladder wall healing, and a patient will typically remove it on their own at home with our instruction.

Postoperative bleeding is the most common complication. A greater rate of complications of TURBT was associated with patient age, size of tumor, location of tumor, surgeon experience, resection time, and completion of tumor resection.

It is recommended that you take it easy for the 24 hours following surgery as you may still have some residual effects from the anesthesia. You will only be able to perform light activity (i.e. walking) for 7-10 days after surgery. Do not strain, squat, or lift anything greater than 10 lbs. during that time.

What do you need after bladder surgery? ›

You will probably need pain medicine for 1 to 2 weeks. You can expect your urostomy (stoma) to be swollen and tender at first. This usually improves after 2 to 3 weeks. You may notice some blood in your urine or that your urine is light pink for the first 3 weeks after surgery.

Increase fluids if you notice the urine becoming more bloodstained. Alcohol is permitted in moderation. Try to reduce drinking after 6-8pm so you do not have to get up during the night. Driving: Do not drive for the first two weeks after the operation.

You shouldn't experience any severe pain, but there may be some discomfort and bladder spasms (contractions) from the catheter, which is left in place because your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) will be swollen and sore. Before you're discharged, you'll be given advice about your recovery.

For mild discomfort or moderate pain after surgery, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Follow the dose instructions on the label. Most patients do not need prescription pain medicine after a TURBT. But, your doctor may prescribe the drug Norco after this surgery.

Most men do not have much pain after this surgery. You may feel like your bladder is full. You may feel pressure, spasms, or burning, until your catheter is taken out. If you have pain or discomfort in the surgery area, your nurse will give you pain control medication to help.

You may have some urine leakage (incontinence). This should get better over time. You should have close-to-normal bladder control within 3 to 6 months.

What is the recovery time for TURP? It takes four to six weeks to fully recover from TURP. Don't lift heavy objects, do strenuous exercise or have sex until your healthcare provider says it's safe to do so.

Social life, family life and mental status were not influenced, but the physical status of 21 (26%) of the patients was decreased by the operation and hospital stay. Over all, 78% of the patients could maintain a good quality of life in post-TURP.

Recovery from surgery should take about three weeks. Symptoms such as frequent or painful urination may continue for a while. They should lessen in the first six weeks. If there is blood in your urine, lie down and drink a glass or two of fluid.