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By Mayo Clinic staffFollow your doctor's instructions on what to do before your treatment. Here are some things that you may need to do:
- Ask about blood-thinning medications. Your surgeon may ask you to stop taking medications that increase your risk of bleeding several days prior to the surgery. These include warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and nonprescription pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others). Talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you make any changes.
- Don't eat before your procedure. Your doctor will likely ask you to not eat or drink anything after midnight. On the morning of your procedure, take only the medications your doctor tells you to with a small sip of water.
- Arrange a ride home. You won't be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.
- Plan for time off work. You may not be able to work or do strenuous activity for several weeks after surgery (typically three to six weeks). Ask your doctor how much recovery time you may need.
Your doctor may also give you other steps to follow.
References
- Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Linthicum, MD. American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph. Accessed Jan. 27, 2011.
- Prostate enlargement: Benign prostatic hyperplasia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement. Accessed Feb. 11, 2011.
- Cunningham GR, et al. Surgical and other invasive therapies of benign prostatic hyperplasia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 2, 2011.
- Thiel DD, et al. Electroresection and open surgery. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2009;36:461.
- Matlaga BR, et al. Surgery for benign prostatic hypertrophy. In: Graham SD, et al. Glenn's Urologic Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2010:166.
- Smith RD, et al. Transurethral resection of the prostate revisited and updated. Current Opinion in Urology. 2011;21:36.
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