In the hospital
After the procedure, you may be taken to a recovery room before being taken to a hospital room. You will be connected to monitors that will display your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and your oxygen level.
Once you are stable and awake, you will be taken to your hospital room. You may also start to drink liquids.
You may get pain medicine as needed, either by a nurse, or by giving it yourself through a device connected to your IV line.
You can slowly return to solid foods as you are able to handle them.
You may start to take antibiotics after the procedure is done and continue them for a few days after it. This is to help prevent infection.
Your recovery will continue to progress. You will likely have some bruising and swelling in the area where the probes were inserted. You will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk the same day. You may be able to go home the same or the next day.
You may notice some blood in your urine for a day or two after the procedure. Swelling in the penis or scrotum is common. You may also have pain in your belly (abdomen). And you may have burning sensations which may make you feel the urge to go to the bathroom more often.
The catheter will stay in for 1 to 3 weeks to help urine drain while your prostate gland heals. You will be given instructions on how to care for the catheter at home.
Arrangements will be made for a follow-up visit with your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions after the procedure, depending on your situation.
At home
Once you are home, it will be important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your healthcare provider will give you specific bathing instructions.
The needle insertion sites may be tender or sore for a few days after cryotherapy. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your provider.
Don't drive until your provider tells you to. You may be told to limit other activities.
Keep any follow-up appointments so your healthcare provider can make sure you're recovering well. The catheter will be taken out at one of these follow-up appointments.
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
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Changes in your urine output, color, or odor
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Inability to urinate once catheter is removed
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More pain around the needle insertion sites
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Fever
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Chills
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Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the needle insertion sites
Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions after the procedure, depending on your situation.