General Guide to Post-Operative Care After Genital Surgery
Proper post-operative care is crucial for a smooth and quick recovery after any genital surgery, such as a circumcision or frenuloplasty. This is a general guide; **always follow the specific instructions provided by your surgeon.**
Wound Care and Hygiene
- Keep it Clean and Dry: For the first 24-48 hours, it's important to keep the dressing clean and dry. Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower.
- Dressing Changes: You will be given specific instructions on how and when to change the dressing. This may involve applying an antibiotic ointment to the incision line to prevent infection and keep the stitches from sticking.
- Showering: When you are cleared to shower, let warm water run over the area but avoid direct scrubbing. Pat the area dry gently with a clean towel.
Pain and Swelling Management
- Pain Medication: Post-operative pain is usually mild to moderate and can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Ice Packs: Applying a cold pack wrapped in a towel to the area for 10-15 minutes at a time during the first 48 hours can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Supportive Underwear: Wearing snug-fitting underwear can provide support and help minimize swelling. It can also help to point the penis upwards toward your belly button.
Activity and Resuming Normal Life
- Rest: Plan to take it easy for the first couple of days. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and intense exercise for at least 1-2 weeks, or as advised by your doctor.
- Sexual Activity: This is one of the most important restrictions. You must abstain from all sexual activity, including masturbation, for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. This is critical to allow the incision to heal completely and gain strength. Resuming activity too early can cause the wound to reopen.
- Nighttime Erections: Spontaneous erections at night are normal and may be uncomfortable initially. This is not harmful to the healing process.
When to Contact Your Doctor
While some swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort are normal, you should contact your doctor if you experience:
- Signs of infection, such as increasing pain, significant redness or swelling, a fever, or foul-smelling discharge.
- Heavy bleeding that soaks through the dressing.
- Inability to urinate.
Follow Instructions for a Smooth Recovery
Following your surgeon's aftercare instructions carefully is the best way to ensure a quick, complication-free healing process.
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