Discharge Instructions After Prolapse Surgery
Please read the following information so that you will be able to take care of yourself after leaving the hospital. Any questions you may have while at home can be answered by calling:
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Dr. Morris/Dr. Huang at 734-647-9710 or the Physicians Assistant at 734-936-1485
Urology/Gynecology
Dr. Fenner/Dr. Delancey at 734-763-6295 or the Nurse at 734-763-6295
MBCP Nurses at 734-615-7380 or 1-877-Go Bowel
24 hour on call Resident (GSE Resident or Urology-Gynecology) at 734-936-6266
When to call for advice
- If you have a fever greater than 100.5 for 24 hours.
- If you notice foul smelling drainage.
- If you observe bleeding that is heavier than your normal flow of menstrual fluids or bleeding that saturates a pad in an hour or less for 2 hours in a row.
- A change in over-all health status, including nausea, vomiting, chills, profuse sweating, diarrhea, constipation, or increased swelling at the surgery site.
- Significant increase in pelvic pain or discomfort.
- If you have an abdominal wound, keep it clean but avoid scrubbing or using soap on it.
- If you have a perineal wound (between the vagina and anus), cleanse gently with water 2-3 times per day in the tub or with a handheld showerhead.
- If you had a vaginal operation, it is normal to have a discharge from the vagina for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
- If you are catheterizing yourself, continue this until the amount in your bladder after voiding is 100cc (you may have to do this 3 times a day for several months).
- No heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or twisting greater than 10lbs. for six weeks after surgery(1 gallon of milk is 8lbs.).
- Walking should be your only exercise but be careful not to slip; this may cause undue harm to your repair. Stair climbing is acceptable in moderation.
- You may drive when you are not having pain and no longer taking narcotics.
- Sexual intercourse should be delayed until after your post-op visit, and should be discussed with your doctor during the post-op visit.
- Narcotics should not be taken for longer than one week.
- Sitz baths for 10 minutes 3 times a day will help relieve pain.
- You may wean off your pain medication by using Motrin or Tylenol.
- Avoid constipation. Drink 1-2 quarts of decaffeinated fluids every day. Eat a fiber rich diet; 25-35 grams of fiber is a normal daily intake.
- To prevent constipation caused by pain medication, take stool softeners. Call for a stronger stool softener prescription if you have less than one bowel movement every 2 days.
- You may use Milk of Magnesia or citrate of magnesium to help resume normal bowel function if you have no bowel movement by the third day after surgery.
- Nothing in the rectum if you had rectal prolapse surgery.
- You may use enemas or suppositories if you did NOT have rectal prolapse surgery.
- Constipation and straining to empty the bowels may have contributed to your prolapse. You must avoid straining and, if recommended by your doctor, remain on a high fiber diet and drink 8 8-ounce glasses of decaffeinated fluids per day to keep your bowels soft.
- Lifting and pushing heavy objects (refrigerators, cars, big boxes) increases stress on the pelvic floor. It is wise to avoid these strenuous activities.
- Exercises that involve impact (running, high impact aerobics, jumping jacks, jumping rope) also stress the pelvic floor. Until your doctor tells you it is safe to engage in these exercises, they should be avoided.
Information provided by the Michigan Bowel Control Program, July 2007
