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swollen scrotum and other concerns

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Posted 4/8/2007 6:19 PM (GMT -7)
Had robotic this past tuesday 4/6-everything seems to be going fine...but have two

questions...any recommendations for swollen scrotum..and how long does that last? and

have a Jackson Pratt as well as Catheter...first what is it exactly that is being drained? and

it has not been decreasing remaining in 210 to 260 mi per day..any concerns there or is that

normal...other than that...no pain...had first bowel movement today..walking slowly 3 miles

per day...Age 54.... confused

Posted 4/8/2007 7:34 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Sirius

The swollen scrotum is fairly typical.  Most people use ice to help reduce swelling.  I suggest a bag of frozen peas from your friendly grocery store.(flexible,easy to refreeze and dispose of) Be careful to not apply the icebag directly to the scrotum, use a dry towel so you won't get things too cold.

As far as the Jackson Pratt( that is the drain right?).  The only time I have heard of it staying in longer is when there is some internal leaking.  I know they examined mine the first night because the output was a bit more than usual.But It was removed befor I went home. Did your doctor explain what was happening regarding the drain?  If not, I would suggest you talk to him or one of his assistants again, so you understand. There are people on this forum with much more technical knowledge than I  who can explain better.

Good Luck with your healing

Posted 4/8/2007 7:38 PM (GMT -7)
I had the swelling scrotum, but was not rally painful. Never felt the need for Ice.
Drain came out first or second day after surgery. If I remember it actually fell out when I got up for a walk.

Good Luck....KW
Posted 4/8/2007 8:14 PM (GMT -7)
Question about the drain.  Are you still emptying the drain and how many times per day do you empty it?  What were the instructions when you went home conserning the drain?
Posted 4/9/2007 4:12 AM (GMT -7)
sirius, Jeff did not have much of a problem with a swollen scrotum and his drain was removed before he came home. be sure to call your doctor with any concerns. kat
Posted 4/9/2007 6:15 AM (GMT -7)

Sirius,

My good friend had two German Shepherds, Sirius & Real Sirius....  :)
                                        ^^
                                         v
His latest Shepherd is Thunderpaws....

Concerning for your drain still being in and producung, I will offer some ideas:

*  As you are walking a lot (3 miles daily)- this might keep some of the internal stitching bleeding a little more than others might experience.
*  My experience (8 major surgeries over 45 years) suggests the benefit of the exercise outweighs the minor bleeding.
*  Don't over-do it....  That is, don't pull any stitches.  Don't take aspirin, etc.  Some other pain killers thin the blood, too. 
*  Drink a lot of water and take a vitamin suplement with iron.
*  When you are fatigued, your thinking becomes skewed.  Don't take yourself too "Siriusly" - and rest.

Cedar Chopper

Posted 4/9/2007 7:40 AM (GMT -7)

Thank you for your responses. Jackcc, according to instructions it could take 2 to 3 week for drainage to get below 30ccd..I am unsure what is draining and why...I just left an em with dr.....Ceder Chopper...thanks, what benefits does the walking actually do (this is my first surgery...good shape beforehand, was swimming 3 miles per week...as you suggest, I am not overdoing it, have not had any pain, not taking any pain meds...what I am concerned about is that the cat will not be removed? until drainage gets down...im waiting to hear from the drs. office....Question: What causes some people to have a drain...while most get it removed before they leave the hospital? 

Posted 4/9/2007 8:47 AM (GMT -7)
Hello again Sirius
I mentioned in my previous answer that the Jackson Pratt drain was in place to signal and empty leaking. I was told that occasionally urine leaks from the bladder after surgery. The drain often has a pink tinged fluid that is a combination of urine and blood. The discharge in the drain is usually an indicator of some leakage from the bladder. I am retelling this from a drug addled recall of a bedside conversation with a doctor, so I may have it all wrong. So, as I said before, talk to your urologist so you understand your specific situation.
Posted 4/10/2007 2:37 AM (GMT -7)

Sirius :-) ,

There are so many benefits from walking.  I can only speak from experience:

Walking lets you begin working the General Anesthesia off ASAP.
It lets you develop an appetite and helps get your digestive track working.
Walking involves coordination and balance:  especially important as parts are removed and moved.
It can be tentative (getting up to go to the restroom) or vigorous (speedwalking) and is low impact.  This allows maximum "workout" for every patient.
It requires no equipment.  It can be done with a catheter, IV, drain, etc. in place.
Being ambulatory in itself is of course critical.
However, walking generally makes me feel better about myself - especially a walk in the woods with my two shepherds (Esther & Francisco) as scouts.

Drain time?  Regardless of our progress in medicine and science, medical practice is still an "art." 
I speculate that physicians weigh the benefits of the drain  versus the ability of the patient to take care of it at home.  Lifeguyd's comments seem reasonable: monitoring and taking some of the workload from the body's healing process.
Those that stay in the hospital longer probably have it in longer as well.
The robotic procedure was abandoned for my surgery after an hour of trying to get through adhesions formed after a laparotomy/spleenectomy (automobile accident, 1977).  My stay in the hospital was 3 1/2 days.  The drain came out the day before I left the hospital.

An example of the differences in physicians: My physician leaves the catheter in for 21 days to ensure the urethra/bladder stitching heals.
Other benefits might include keeping the patient moving a little slower and encouraging fluid intake (instead of beginning the incontinence watch immediately) giving other traumas from surgery time to heal.

After the surface wounds heal, swimming will be good for you, too!  ICTHUS

Cedar Chopper

Posted 4/10/2007 3:19 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks once again. Your response is sensible and logical. I wish the good dr. could do the same...I get different info from the dr..and his assistants....the dr. says the drain has to be less than than

30cc while his assistants say 150 before it is removed...you will say speak to the dr. directly...very difficult..considered one of the best in NYC...and i must say very, very, hard to get

a hold of...i cant say much about their people service....hopefully the operation is as good as his reputation...so far the jackson drain has been in for 1 week and the amount has increased a little each day....

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