PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:

In preparation for your procedure, you should first stop taking any aspirin, aspirin containing products, herbal products, or blood thinners FIVE days before your scheduled procedure. This includes the daily baby aspirin or low dose aspirin recommended by some physicians. Other medications which might act as blood thinners should also be stopped. If you have questions about this or have a special medical condition which you feel might not allow you to do this, please contact our office and your prescribing physician. Continuing these kinds of medications will cause additional bleeding an make bleeding related problems much more likely to occur.

You should plan to shave the genital area several days before the procedure if possible. The surgical cleaning solutions include some alcohol which will cause a greater burning sensation if you have just been shaved. This shaving needs to include the area around the penis that would fall under the shadow of a bagel placed around the penile shaft. It is easier to shave the genital area dry rather than use a shaving cream. This generally is more comfortable as well than using a hair removal product such as Nair or Magic. Sometimes, if available, an electric beard trimmer can be useful at the start to remove the longer hair before actually beginning the shaving process. The area shaved should include hair above the penis, beside the penis, and the front part of the scrotum. It is far more comfortable to do this at home than wait for me to do this in our office.

If you are not planning to stay in town after the procedure, be sure to freeze TWO bottles of water for the trip home to use as ice packs. You will want to begin using ice packs immediately after the procedure and continue most of the surgical day in 20 minute intervals or until uncomfortable.

If you normally wear boxer underwear, do not do so on the day of your procedure. It will be much more comfortable if you wear briefs or a scrotal supporter. This will provide more support and will help to hold gauze in place if needed against the scrotum.  Loose fitting clothing will be more comfortable as well, such as sweat pants or athletic clothing.

You might want to plan on having sex the night before the procedure if possible. It will be your last opportunity for the next 30 days. This might also help you to sleep better. On the day of the procedure, be sure to eat a light meal. You do not need to be hungry or NPO. You also should have something on your stomach when you take your preoperative medications.

The operating room will be about 64 degrees. Bring a t-shirt and a pair of socks. We can store your ice packs in our freezer. During the procedure, the rest of your body will be covered with surgical drapes and be well illuminated, making the temperature quite comfortable except for the tops of your shoulders and perhaps your feet.

The medication will cause you to need someone to drive you to and from our office. Normally, the medication will begin wearing off shortly after the procedure but you cannot legally drive for the next 24 hours.

This is to serve a general summary. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact our office. If you have additional questions or concerns after the procedure, please contact our office or Dr. Daniel directly.