Hydrocele

[rdc500]

I had the hydrocele surgery 3 days ago. I am very sore. The incision is fine. Now I had a fairly large hydrocele so my incision is about 3 inches. I have substantial swelling. I am taking Percocet and thank God for that. The pain med keep it at a dull roar. As for the surgery no problems, it took only about 20 minutes. I woke up in 30 minutes with no grogginess and a little pain. The hospital was good and gave me 3 shots of duladid and 2 vicadins. So in about 30 minutes I was fine and went home. I'm not going to kid you the first night was very bad, my advise take the full amount of pain meds your doctor gives you. Urinating is a problem, because of the swelling, use a urinal it really helps. You are going to be bleeding and draining in your underwear. My advise is a feminine napkin. It sounds weird but it keeps your underwear cleaner. My doctor said to take a shower 3 days, I got some antibacterial body wash I figured it couldn't hurt. I would also suggest plan to spend the next 3-4 days in your underwear, try to keep the area dry. Now this is day 4 and I am doing much better. I am still taking pain meds, but I don't think it will be much longer. I already have missed doses. I will keep you informed on my progress.

[rdc500]

Day 9, well I have an infection. So I am back on Keflex. As for the surgery I am doing much better. There is some pain mostly around the incision site and still have a small amount of weeping. I think if you are considering this surgery, plan on two weeks to be 90% plan on a month to 6 weeks to be 100%.

[rdc500]

Day 10, I seen the doctor today and all is fine. no infection. He said the incision will weep, bleed that is part of the healing process. I asked when will my testicle go down? He stated in 6 weeks it should be 30% larger than the other, in 6 months it will be the same size. He said to keep 4x4 12ply gauze pads on the incision. It is important to keep it dry. When the stitches start to dissolve you will have an Oh my God moment. When this starts, wet a single layer of gauze with saline and squeeze it out to make it damp, place the damp gauze on the incision and place a dry patch over it and go on your way. Later in the day when you remove the gauze it will debreed and clean the incision. After removed replace with a fresh damp gauze and place a dry on on top and that's it.
Now I will tell you I am in a wheelchair so this surgery is much worse for me than anyone that can walk. Let me talk about pain, if you have pain associated with this surgery take pain medication. When the pain subsides stop taking the pills.If you feel like you need the medication and you have no pain then stop now. I've never been addicted but I can imagine it would be bad and it is preventable. That being said there is no reason to be in pain. Just be careful.

[Pierreau]

Thanks for the heads up.. I may be headed in for drainage early next year.. I can't get in to see my Specialist until 30 Jan 09... aarrggghhh... Having had testicular Cancer in 1993 (then 36) I get a little paranoid about my ball... Ultrasound showed 14.6cc hydrocele.. hmm.. doesn't sound like ,much really.. but I was concerned enough to search for details myself so that i could determine if i needed to push for an earlier appointment or just wait and be careful on choice of what I wear with what type of seam...
I'll be sure to remember the tips on the Post Op stuff...
I have a few tips on post op for a re-bore ( BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia, or hypertrophy)..
I might check for a forum on that...
Thanks again...
P