Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Tackling problems before surgery
• Part 2 of 3: Stimulating urination after surgery
• Part 3 of 3: Tackling bladder problems after surgery
• Warnings

It is important to urinate after surgery, but this can be difficult. The anesthesia allows the muscles of your bladder to relax, which can make it difficult for you to urinate. Because you cannot urinate, you can experience bladder problems such as urinary retention, or the accumulation of urine in the bladder. If you are unable to urinate, your doctor will need to temporarily give you a catheter so that you can empty your bladder. To make sure you can urinate properly after surgery, talk to your doctor before your surgery, get more exercise, try to relax your bladder after surgery, and let your doctor know if you have any problems after surgery.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Tackling problems before surgery

1. Empty your bladder completely before surgery. Another method that can help you urinate after surgery is to completely empty your bladder before being put under anesthesia. Urinate as short as possible before the operation. If there is even a small amount of urine in your bladder during surgery, it may be more difficult for you to urinate after surgery.
   • This can reduce the amount of urine you need to get out after surgery, but you will still need to urinate a little. You should be producing at least 250 ml of urine within 4 hours of surgery, although some people can produce between 1 and 2 liters of urine.
2. Find out if you belong to a risk group. Some people are at a higher risk of having urinary problems after surgery. Some medications increase your risk, so talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking before surgery. Other risk factors are:
   • Be over 50 years old.
   • Being a man, especially if your prostate is enlarged.
   • Being under anesthesia for a long time.
   • Receive large amounts of infusion fluid.
   • Taking certain medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers, muscle relaxants, bladder medications, or medications containing ephedrine.
3. Do exercises for the pelvic floor muscles. As a woman you can benefit from pelvic floor muscle exercises such as Kegel exercises. These exercises help strengthen the muscles you use to urinate so that you can better control your bladder and hopefully urinate more easily.
4. Adjust your diet before surgery if you have constipation. People who suffer from constipation can also experience urinary retention. To reduce the risk and severity of the problem, make sure to drink enough water in the weeks before surgery. Also, eat lots of fiber-rich foods, eat more plums, and avoid processed foods. In addition, stay active and move around as much as possible.
   • Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, so eat more of that every day. You can eat apples, berries, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, carrots and beans.

Part 2 of 3: Stimulating urination after surgery

1. Move after surgery. The more you move around after surgery, the more likely you are to have to urinate. Sit up straight, and walk around when you are able to do this safely. This helps to stimulate your bladder and forces your body to urinate by moving your bladder into position.
2. Pee every few hours. Not urinating for four hours or more can cause bladder problems and make it difficult for you to urinate. Try to empty your bladder every two to three hours after surgery.
3. Turn on the tap. If it is difficult for you to urinate, turn on the tap and let the water flow. The sound of running water can sometimes help stimulate your brain and bladder to urinate. If the noise doesn't help, run a little water over your stomach.
4. Urinate while sitting if you are a man. If you as a man have trouble urinating after an operation, try to urinate while sitting. Sometimes sitting helps to relax the bladder so that urine can flow out. Try this a few times instead of standing up.
5. Take a warm bath. If possible, take a warm bath. The warm bath can help relax your brain, body, and bladder, which can help you urinate. Sometimes it is easier to urinate in the bathtub after surgery, and that's fine. It is important to urinate in any way after surgery.
   • Use peppermint oil in a nebulizer or other form of aromatherapy while taking a bath. Smelling peppermint oil can help you urinate.
   • This is not always an option after surgery. If the medical team wants you to urinate before you can go home, you probably won't be able to take a bath.
6. Do not drink extra fluids to urinate. It's important to drink fluids and stay hydrated after surgery, but don't drink large amounts to cause urination. This can cause the bladder to overfill and stretch, and you can experience other problems. Instead, take sips of water or drink an amount that is normal for you and let the urge come on its own.

Part 3 of 3: Tackling bladder problems after surgery

1. Recognize the symptoms of a bladder problem. The anesthetic may make it difficult for you to urinate after surgery. You may not be able to urinate at all, feel like you cannot empty your bladder, or that you have to push to get rid of the urine. You may also have to urinate often, but only urinate a small amount of urine at a time. These could be symptoms of a bladder infection or other problem.
   • If you have a bladder infection, you pass a small amount of urine at a time, but you may still feel the urge to urinate afterwards. The urine is usually cloudy and has a strong odor.
   • If you have urinary retention, your abdomen may feel full or be sensitive. When you press it, your stomach can feel hard. You may feel the urge to urinate, but you are unable to urinate itself.
2. Tell your nurse or doctor that you cannot urinate. If you are unable to urinate after surgery, tell your nurse or doctor. He or she can examine your bladder by touching it to see if the area hurts. An ultrasound can also be made of your bladder. If you are thought to need help, a catheter can be inserted into your bladder to allow the urine to come out until you are able to urinate yourself.
   • After you go home after surgery, urinate within 4 hours to get rid of the fluids you received during the surgery. If you haven't urinated after 4 to 6 hours, contact your doctor or go to an emergency room.
   • You may only need the catheter once. In a more serious case of urinary retention, you may need to keep the catheter in for longer.
3. Keep track of your urination habits. Keep a log of how often you urinate for several days after surgery. Write down the time and amount of urine you pass. Keep track of how much liquids you drink and compare that to how much urine you pass out. Also write down how you feel when you urinate. For example, do you feel the urge to urinate, but is it difficult for you to actually get rid of the urine? Do you have to squeeze? Does it feel like you haven't emptied your bladder completely? Does your urine have a strong odor? These things can help you figure out if you have a bladder infection or some other problem.
4. Use medications. Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to help you urinate after surgery. The drugs target the part of your brain that controls urination and counteract the effect of the anesthetic on your brain. This way you will be able to urinate more easily.
   • Your doctor can prescribe alpha blockers or alpha inhibitors to help.

Warnings

• Get medical help right away if you have a full bladder and are unable to urinate within 4 hours of surgery. Waiting too long can cause mild heart failure.