Relief of pain

The local anaesthetic that you have had will wear off in the next 1 to 2 hours.

Provided you do not have an allergy to the painkiller, it is safe to use over-the-counter painkillers to reduce your pain so you can be more active.

It is important to use painkillers carefully, as they have side effects. Paracetamol is the simplest and safest painkiller. However, always get advice before taking paracetamol if you have liver or kidney problems

You could also try anti-inflammatory tablets like Ibuprofen as long as you don’t have a condition (such as a stomach ulcer) that prevents you using them.

Always take your painkillers at regular intervals at the recommended dose / exactly as prescribed. This is to make sure they work as well as possible for you. The aim is for pain control to be constant.

Putting off taking painkillers can make the pain more severe. It may then take longer to get it under control when you do take them.

If over-the-counter painkillers do not work, ask for help from your GP or pharmacist.

Check with your GP if you have been prescribed other analgesia.

Stitches - Circle which stitches you have below.

  • You have absorbable stitches.
  • You have non-absorbable Stitches, these will be removed at your own surgery by the practice nurse in…………….. days. You will need to book an appointment with the practice nurse well in advance of needing stitches removed or dressings renewed.

If you are concerned about discomfort when the stitches are removed or having the dressing looked at, consider taking a simple pain relief, e.g. paracetamol, an hour before your appointment.

Remember once the stitches have been removed / absorbed the wound may appear healed but it will not be strong. It can take several months for skin to regain its strength and flexibility. Treat the area with care.

Bathing

You can shower after 24 hours but avoid baths for one week.

Complications

  • Raised temperature
  • Shivering
  • Pain/persistent stinging when passing urine
  • Bleeding – passing bright red blood or clots in your urine
  • Struggling to pass urine
  • Lower back pain
  • Severe pain with cloudy or offensive urine
  • Still passing blood after 48 hours.

If you are concerned about any of the above, see your practice nurse promptly, taking this leaflet with you.

Specific advice

  • Drink plenty of fluids, at least 1.5 Litres a day (2 pints)
  • Wear supportive underwear
  • No heavy lifting for two to three weeks
  • No strenuous activity, for two to three weeks
  • No sexual activity for five days
  • There may be yellow fluid leaking out of your wound for several days
  • Some lumpiness above and behind the testicle is common.
  • Ice packs are useful, do not apply directly to skin, cover in a tea-towel or similar. Use for 15 – 20 minutes to ease discomfort

Bleeding

The operation site will be checked for bleeding before you leave the department. If bleeding occurs at home, do not disturb the dressing. Press firmly on the area, for a full 15 minutes (by a clock). Do not take the dressing off, put an additional “pressure dressing” on top of the original.

If bleeding persists you will need to visit your practice nurse or local Emergency Department for assessment. A clean dressing will be provided once bleeding has settled if this is necessary.

Be vigilant for bleeding if you take anticoagulants, e.g. Aspirin or Warfarin.

Post anaesthetic instructions

  • You must be accompanied home by a responsible adult age 18 year +
  • You must not be left alone for 24 hours after your anaesthetic.
  • Do not lock the bathroom or toilet door for the next 24 hours.
  • No driving a car or riding a bicycle for the next week unless advised otherwise. Licence holders wishing to drive after surgery should establish with their own doctors when it would be safe to do so.
  • No alcohol or sleeping tablets for 48 hours.
  • No using anything that could potentially cause harm, such as a kettle, cooker or iron for the next 48 hours.
  • No signing legal documents for the next 48 hours.
  • No looking after young children alone for the next 48 hours.

Ref: 04/21/32
Review: 04/23