Recovery here is mostly about managing gravity and swelling.

1. Scrotal support and ice — the two things that matter most

Swelling and bruising are the main sources of pain after this operation. Manage them aggressively.

• The jockstrap rule. Gravity is working against you. Wear tight-fitting underwear — supportive briefs, a jockstrap, or an athletic supporter — 24 hours a day for the first week.

  • Do not wear boxer shorts. Letting the scrotum hang loose increases swelling, pain, and the risk of bleeding.

  • Rolling up a washcloth or placing a small fluffy gauze pad inside your underwear beneath the scrotum gives extra elevation — it sits "on a shelf."

• Ice. Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the scrotal area. Never against bare skin — put a thin towel or the underwear fabric in between. 30 minutes at a time, every 3 to 4 hours for the first 48 to 72 hours while awake.

2. Incision care

• Surgical glue: Your incision is closed with a specialized surgical glue. It flakes and falls off on its own in 2 to 4 weeks. Do not pick at it.

• Dissolvable stitches: There are stitches underneath the skin. They do not need to be removed, but can take up to 6 weeks to dissolve. Feeling a small knot or bump along the incision line is normal, and it resolves as the sutures dissolve.

3. If you have a surgical drain

• Duration: Typically 3 to 5 days.

• Recording output: Measure and record the amount of fluid in the bulb. Empty it when half full, or at least twice a day. Write down the amount and the time. Bring this record to your removal appointment.

• Removal: We remove the drain in the office. Do not remove it yourself.

4. Pain management

Stay ahead of the pain rather than chasing it. For the first 3 to 5 days:

• Alternate ibuprofen and Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 3 hours while awake. Each medication works out to every 6 hours.

  • 9:00 AM — Ibuprofen

  • 12:00 PM — Tylenol

  • 3:00 PM — Ibuprofen

  • 6:00 PM — Tylenol

• These two medications do not interact and are safe to take on this schedule.

• Breakthrough pain only: If you were prescribed oxycodone, it is intended only for pain the ibuprofen and Tylenol schedule does not control. It is a narcotic. Do not drive while taking it.

5. Hygiene and showering

• Showering: You may shower with soap and water starting 24 hours after surgery. Let soapy water run gently over the incision — do not scrub. Pat dry gently with a clean towel.

• Baths: Do not sit in standing water — bath, pool, lake, or hot tub — for 2 weeks.

6. Activity restrictions

• Lifting: Nothing heavier than 10–15 lbs — about a gallon of milk — for 2 weeks.

• Exercise: No strenuous exercise, running, or gym workouts for 2 to 4 weeks.

• Sexual activity: None — intercourse or masturbation — for 4 weeks, or until cleared by your surgeon. Ejaculation and friction can cause bleeding or pain during early healing.

7. Medications and bowel care

• Blood thinners: You may restart all prescribed blood thinners 72 hours (3 days) after surgery, unless you were told otherwise.

• Preventing constipation: Pain medication and anesthesia cause constipation, and straining to have a bowel movement puts real pressure on the scrotum. Take the prescribed stool softener every day for as long as you are taking pain medication.

When to call the office

Contact us immediately if you experience:

• Severe swelling — the scrotum reaching the size of a grapefruit or larger

• Fever over 101.5°F

• Spreading redness, significant warmth, or pus from the incision

• Bright red blood continuously soaking through your underwear or dressings. Small spotting is normal.

• Pain that neither your prescribed medication nor ice relieves