Rigid cyctoscopy and urethrotomy

[StephenM44]

Anybody have anything helpful to say about these ? One of the most alarming ops I can imagine . . . being done under general anaesthetic with possible bladder neck incision too but I hope that's not necessary. (I declined flexible cyctoscopy as it's not done under general)

What is pain level like in recovery ? Will I have a problem walking or driving ?

Thanks

[ucb]

Post-op recovery is usually very quick. It is possible to have some crampy lower abdominal pains from bladder spasms, but this is by no means common. The bladder has no pain sensation, so procedures are usually mostly pain free.
You will probably need a catheter post-op, something that surgeons often conveniently forget to tell people. The worst bit is when the catheter comes out.
It's quite a 'minor' procedure in the grand scheme of surgery, and I'd be surprised if its not a daycase procedure.

[goldblum]

ucb said:

Post-op recovery is usually very quick. It is possible to have some crampy lower abdominal pains from bladder spasms, but this is by no means common. The bladder has no pain sensation, so procedures are usually mostly pain free.
You will probably need a catheter post-op, something that surgeons often conveniently forget to tell people. The worst bit is when the catheter comes out goes in.

If you have a urethral stricture.

[Pickled Piper]

I had a flexible cystoscopy a couple of years ago. It wasn't nice but it was over quite quickly. I experienced severe pain on passing urine the first time after the investigation, it got less each time after that. Was back to normal within about three days. In hindsight I should have taken some oral pain relief prior to the op and asked for a sedative.

I had to have a bladder neck incision as a result of the findings. This was under general anesthetic. You will wake up with a catheter in place. This is normally removed after 24 hrs. The removal is uncomfortable but not painful and all over in seconds. Passing urine was painful for some days after. Treated with oral painkillers. You will also pass blood and clots. This will lessen over a few days / weeks. Progressively gets better over weeks / months.

In a hurry so can't post in much more. Memory is a distant haze so can't have been that bad. However, I certainly wouldn't want to do it again.

pp

Just read your post again. Walking is fine straight after cystoscopy. In fact you are encouraged to get up and about. Because I had the flexible with a local, I drove home same day. As far as the bladder neck incision goes, You will be encouraged to walk about with the catheter in, more so once the catheter is removed. You will just feel a bit delicate. i was driving within a week.

Edited by Pickled Piper on Monday 25th June 12:39

[rog3k]

Not much more to add to the above descriptions of experiences; the only thing I was told not to do was ride a bike for a few weeks. Hope all goes well - it's not tooooo bad; you will need to drink loads!

Also, I was advised, although I didn't have quite the procedure you describe, to cut out caffeine.

[StephenM44]

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. Doesn't sound too bad then, at least not something to be terrified of. Because of the nature of the operation and the entrance . . . it did initially fill me with terror.

[Mobile Chicane]

Cranberry juice is good for taking the 'sting' out of urine, and preventing infection.

[Pickled Piper]

StephenM44 said:

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. Doesn't sound too bad then, at least not something to be terrified of. Because of the nature of the operation and the entrance . . . it did initially fill me with terror.

There are worse things on the grand scale of life.

You will, of course, lose all dignity as various medical staff handle your todger.

Good luck.

pp