Although it is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand, every patient who has just gone through the surgery process must pass urine. Unfortunately, the effect of anesthetics aimed at relaxing the bladder muscles often makes it difficult for patients to do so. Be careful, urine that is not excreted immediately can cause new health problems such as urinary retention. That is why doctors often provide assistance in the form of a catheter to empty the patient's bladder. Are you going to have surgery soon? To facilitate the process of urinating after surgery, try to consult a doctor and make sure you continue to be active and relax the condition of your bladder after surgery. If so, tell your doctor about any post-surgery problems you're experiencing!
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Part 1 of 3: Managing Postoperative Problems
Step 1. Empty the bladder before surgery
Another way to make it easier for you to urinate after surgery is to empty your bladder before the anesthetic. As much as possible, urinate as close to the time of anesthesia as possible because any residual urine in the bladder, no matter how small, can make it difficult for you to urinate after surgery.
Understand that the patient needs to pass at least 250 cc of urine within four hours of surgery. However, some people can excrete about 1,000-2,000 cc of urine in the same period of time
Step 2. Understand the risks you have
Some people are more at risk of having difficulty urinating after surgery, especially if they are taking certain medications. Therefore, make sure you consult all medicines that are being consumed to the doctor before the operation! Some other risk factors you should consider:
- Over 50 years old.
- Male, especially if you also have an enlarged prostate.
- Being under anesthesia for a long time.
- Receiving intravenous fluids in larger amounts than usual.
- Taking certain medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, muscle relaxants, bladder medications, or other medications that contain ephedrine.
Step 3. Do floor exercises to work your pelvic muscles
For women, doing sports that can train the pelvic muscles, such as Kegel exercises, has undoubted benefits. Due to the ease of urination, doing these exercises can strengthen the muscles that women use when urinating. As a result, you can more easily control the movement of the bladder and urinate afterwards.
Step 4. Change your diet before surgery
This method is especially mandatory for those of you who are constipated. Remember, someone who is constipated is more likely to experience urinary retention as well. In order to reduce the potential risk a little, make sure you drink as much water as possible during the weeks leading up to the surgery. Make sure you also eat fiber foods, increase the consumption of dried plums, avoid processed foods, and increase exercise and increase physical activity.
Fruits and vegetables are two examples of foods that are rich in fiber. Therefore, do not hesitate to eat delicious fruits such as apples or berries, as well as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, carrots, and nuts
Part 2 of 3: Encouraging Postoperative Urine Expenditure
Step 1. Be active
The more active you are post-surgery, the more likely your body is to excrete urine. If permitted by your doctor, feel free to take the time to walk or sit and stand alternately. This action is effective in stimulating and restoring the position of the bladder, making it easier for the body to excrete urine.
Step 2. Make sure you urinate every few hours
Not urinating for four hours or more can cause bladder problems and make it more difficult for you to urinate in the future. Therefore, after surgery, try to always urinate every two to three hours.
Step 3. Turn on the faucet
If you have trouble urinating, try turning on the faucet. Sometimes, the sound of running water from a faucet can stimulate the brain to send a positive signal to the bladder. If the sound of running water doesn't help, try pouring some water on your stomach.
Step 4. For men, try urinating while sitting
If you have difficulty urinating after surgery, try doing it sitting down instead of standing. Sometimes, relaxing your bladder can make it easier to pass urine, so this method is worth trying.
Step 5. Soak in warm water, if possible
A warm bath can relax the brain, body, and bladder, making it easier for you to urinate afterward. Some people even pass urine on their own in the bath after surgery. If this situation also happens to you, don't worry because one of the postoperative actions that the patient must take is urinating.
- Add a few drops of peppermint oil to the bath or light an aromatherapy candle to accompany your bath. Smelling peppermint oil can make it easier for you to urinate, you know!
- Remember, not all patients have the option of soaking before urinating. If your doctor asks you to urinate before leaving the hospital, it means you won't have time to soak.
Step 6. Do not consume too much fluid to facilitate the process of urination
Although the body must remain hydrated postoperatively, you should not consume too much fluid to facilitate the process of urination. Be careful, an overly full bladder can actually lead to other health problems! Instead, drink plenty of water and let the urge to pee show itself.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Postoperative Bladder Problems
Step 1. Understand the symptoms of bladder disorders
Since the effects of the anesthetic are still there, you are more likely to experience bladder problems post-surgery. For example, you may have difficulty urinating, feel incomplete every time you urinate, or have to strain to pass urine. Alternatively, the amount of urine that comes out is very small and not proportional to your desire to urinate. Be aware because all of them are symptoms of bladder disorders or other health problems.
- If you have a bladder infection, you are more likely to pass small but frequent urine. Usually, urine will look cloudy and smell bad.
- If you have urinary retention, your lower abdomen will feel full or hard and painful when you press it. Even if the urge to pee is overwhelming, you usually won't be able to do it.
Step 2. Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have difficulty urinating after surgery
After that, they will most likely do an ultrasound or check the presence or absence of pain in the bladder area. If deemed necessary, they will place a catheter to drain your urine until you can urinate on your own.
- So what if you go straight home after surgery? If this is the case, make sure you urinate within four hours of the operation to get rid of any fluids that entered your body during the operation. If within 4-6 hours you can not urinate, immediately contact a doctor.
- The frequency with which the catheter is used will depend on the condition of your urination.
Step 3. Monitor your urination pattern
For a few days after surgery, try to control the frequency of urination and the amount of urine you pass. Also monitor the amount of fluid that enters the body and compares it with the fluid that comes out through the urine. Also understand how you feel when you pee. Do you always have the urge to pee but have trouble getting it out? Do you have to strain to pass urine? Do you always feel incomplete every time you pee? Does your pee smell sharp and pungent? Analyze these questions to detect potential bladder infections or other health problems.
Step 4. Take the right medicines
In fact, doctors can prescribe medicines to make it easier for you to urinate after surgery. Usually, these drugs are intended to interact with the part of the brain that controls urination and counteracts the effects of anesthesia. As a result, you can more easily pass urine afterwards.
