Navigating Life After Hypospadias Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Hypospadias is a condition in which the baby’s urethral opening doesn’t develop correctly. It’s a birth defect that makes it difficult for the baby to pee or have normal sexual function later in their life. Urethra, the thin tube that carries urine and sperm out of the male’s body, is located right at the top of the penis. However, in babies born with hypospadias, the urethral opening could be located elsewhere, i.e., at the scrotum or the shaft. These babies can undergo hypospadias surgery in Navi Mumbai to correct the urethral deformity.
The Recovery Process: What to Expect and How to Cope
Hypospadias repair surgery involves two procedures—straightening the penis and relocating the urethra to the normal position. The surgery is performed under anesthesia, so your child won’t feel any pain during the operation, but discomfort can occur after surgery.
The Hypospadias surgeon in Navi Mumbai will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection at the incision site and painkillers to relieve discomfort and pain. Depending on your child’s age and the severity of the defect, recovery can take up to six weeks or longer. Your baby will pee in the catheter for a few days following the surgery.
Post-Surgery Care: Tips for Proper Healing and Scar Management
Once the surgery is performed, the surgeon will stitch the incision site and cover the catheter with a bandage. They will also monitor your child’s vitals. Usually, children undergoing Hypospadias surgery can go home the same day.
You will get detailed instructions on how to bathe your child, check the incision site for infection, and keep the bandage clean. Note that every child is different, and their bodies might take longer or shorter than usual to heal. You can expect them to sleep more frequently after the surgery. In the first 1-2 weeks after surgery, you might notice swelling and bruising around the incision, but that should go away with time.
Lifestyle Changes: Impact on Sexual Functioning and Intimacy
The goal of Hypospadias surgery is to ensure your child’s penis gets into the right shape and they are able to pee normally. The procedure also aims to provide a normal sexual life for your baby. They can get and keep an erection like normal people when they get older. Note that the surgery doesn’t affect the child’s sexual function. If anything, it only improves their ability to ejaculate, maintain an erection, and perform sexual intercourse.
Seeking Professional Help: When to Consult a Specialist
Hypospadias surgery is considered safe generally, but if you notice any of the below symptoms post-surgery, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- Excessive swelling and bruising around the incision
- Difficulty urinating
- High fever accompanied by infection
- Bleeding from the surgical site
- Urine leaking from the catheter
Your doctor will tell you about the follow-up requirements based on the complications of the surgery and your child’s condition. They will monitor the healing of the incision. The catheter will be removed in a few days or up to two weeks after surgery.