Packing for Urological Surgery: A Companion’s Checklist for the Ward and the Trip Home

The night before his brother’s prostate operation, Daniel sat on the spare-room floor with an open holdall and no idea what belonged in it. Pajamas, obviously. Phone charger. Then the questions started: would there be a catheter, and if so, what do you even wear with one? Could his brother read, or would he be too foggy? And what about the car ride home over forty minutes of speed bumps?

Most packing lists online are written for the patient and stop at the ward door. Yet the person who actually fills the bag, carries it, and drives home is usually a partner, a daughter, a friend. This guide is for that person. It covers what to pack for urology surgery from the admissions desk to the first week at home, with the reasoning behind each item, so you can adjust it to the specific operation and the specific instructions your team hands you.

Those written instructions always win over anything here. Think of this as the annotated version.

What to pack for urology surgery: start with the folder, not the pajamas

If you pack only one thing well, make it the paperwork. The ward can lend a gown and a toothbrush; it cannot reconstruct a medication history from memory at seven in the morning.

Put a single plastic folder in the top of the bag with these inside: a printed list of every prescribed medicine, over-the-counter product and supplement (including herbal teas and vitamins, because some affect bleeding or interact with anesthetic drugs), an allergy list with the reaction described in plain words, the appointment letter and any pre-assessment paperwork, insurance or identification documents your admissions office asked for, and two phone numbers for the people who should be called when the operation ends. Add a photocopy of any advance directive or power of attorney if one exists.

A companion can also add a page the patient writes themselves: three things they want the team to know. Perhaps they get very sick with anesthesia, perhaps they are hard of hearing on the left, perhaps they faint with needles. Short, specific, useful.

Bring the medicines themselves in their original packaging. Hospitals vary in whether they use the patient’s own supply, but having the boxes removes guesswork about what exactly has been taken and when. Do not pack a pill organizer with loose tablets; a nurse cannot verify what an unlabeled tablet is. Equally, do not stop or change anything before admission unless the pre-assessment team told you to in writing; that decision belongs to the prescribing clinician, and the instruction will usually be specific about which medicines pause and which continue.

Glasses, hearing aids and dentures go in labeled cases, because they come off before anesthesia and the recovery room is a busy place. A short list taped inside the folder of what is in the bag helps everyone later.

What actually happens between the car park and the ward

Knowing the sequence makes the bag make sense. On the day, the patient usually arrives early, often before the operating list starts, and is checked in by a nurse who repeats identity and allergy checks that will be repeated again by the anesthetist and the surgical team. This repetition is deliberate; it is a safety design, not disorganization.

The patient changes into a gown and often compression stockings, which squeeze the calves to reduce the chance of a clot forming while someone is lying still. Jewelry, nail polish and makeup usually come off, because oxygen monitors read through fingernails and the team needs to see true skin color. A bag of personal belongings is labeled and either kept with the companion or locked away.

The anesthetist will discuss the type of anesthesia. Many urological operations use general anesthesia (fully asleep), while some, including certain prostate and bladder procedures, can be done under spinal anesthesia, where an injection in the lower back numbs the body from the waist down while the patient stays awake or lightly sedated. Which approach is used depends on the operation, the patient’s heart and lung health and the surgeon’s preference; the team decides this together with the patient.

After the operation comes the recovery room, where nurses monitor breathing, blood pressure and pain until the patient is awake enough to return to the ward or the day-case lounge. For day cases, discharge usually requires that the patient has passed urine (or has a working catheter), can walk, can keep fluids down and has a responsible adult to go home with and stay overnight. The companion’s role on this day is mostly waiting, so pack for that too.

Who is usually asked to pack light, and who is usually asked to wait

Not every urological operation means a hospital stay. A cystoscopy (a thin camera passed into the bladder), a ureteroscopy for a kidney stone or a vasectomy are commonly day cases, where the patient goes home the same day. For these, one small bag is plenty: documents, a change of underwear, loose trousers and a book for the waiting hours.

Inpatient operations are different. A transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, where excess prostate tissue is removed through the urethra without an external cut, typically involves a stay of one to two days according to Mayo Clinic. A nephrectomy (removal of all or part of a kidney) or a radical prostatectomy (removal of the whole prostate gland) usually means a longer stay and a more involved recovery. Here the bag earns its keep.

Who is asked to wait? Surgeons and anesthetists postpone operations for good reasons, and a companion who knows them can help avoid a wasted journey. Common triggers include a current chest infection or fever, a urinary tract infection that has not been treated, poorly controlled blood sugar or blood pressure at pre-assessment, a recent heart event, or a blood-thinning medicine that has not been managed according to the plan. Some teams ask smokers to stop for a period before surgery because smoking impairs healing and raises the chance of chest complications; the team will say how long.

None of this is a judgment. A postponement means the team weighed the risk of operating today against the benefit of operating on a better day. If you are unsure whether a new symptom matters, phone the pre-assessment line before you pack the car. That call is part of preparing, not a failure of it.

What not to do 2 weeks before surgery

This is one of the most searched questions around any operation, and the honest answer has fewer rules than people fear and a couple more than they expect.

• Do not start anything new without telling the team. New supplements, herbal products or over-the-counter painkillers can affect bleeding or interact with anesthesia. Fish oil, garlic capsules, ginkgo and high-dose vitamin E are commonly flagged at pre-assessment; the team will advise which to pause and when.
• Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Blood thinners, diabetes medicines and blood pressure tablets each have a specific plan, and the wrong pause can be more dangerous than the operation. Follow the written instruction, and ask if it is unclear.
• Do not shave or wax the surgical area at home. Razors leave tiny nicks that bacteria love. If hair removal is needed, the team does it with clippers on the day.
• Do not book a tattoo, piercing or dental extraction. Each is a fresh wound and a potential source of infection.
• Do not ignore a new cough, fever, burning on urination or skin infection. Report it; it may change the plan.
• Do not plan a heavy drinking weekend. Alcohol affects anesthesia, bleeding and sleep.
• Do not skip the pre-assessment appointment or the blood tests attached to it.

What you can do is more cheering. Keep moving, because walking fitness before surgery is associated with easier recovery. Eat normally unless told otherwise. Sort out the house: a chair with arms, a clear path to the toilet, frozen meals, a night light. And rehearse the fasting rule: your letter will state exactly when to stop solid food and when to stop clear fluids. Those times exist to keep the stomach empty under anesthesia, and arriving having eaten can mean cancellation, so set two phone alarms.

Hospital bag checklist for surgery: the ward essentials

Here is the core of the bag, with the reasoning attached so you can adapt it.

Clothing. Two sets of loose, front-opening nightwear or a loose T-shirt with soft shorts. Drawstring or elastic waists only; nothing that presses on an abdominal wound or a catheter tube. Slip-on, non-slip footwear, because bending to tie laces is unpleasant after abdominal surgery and bare feet on a ward floor are not advised. A light dressing gown with pockets, which doubles as a discreet place to carry a phone or a small catheter bag while walking.

Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, unscented soap, lip balm (oxygen and anesthesia dry the lips), a small towel, hair ties, and a flannel. Skip perfume and aftershave; wounds and anesthetic nausea do not mix well with strong scent.

Comfort and function. Phone and a long charging cable, because ward sockets are rarely beside the bed. Headphones, reading glasses, a book or downloaded shows, earplugs and an eye mask for a lit, noisy ward at night. A small notebook and pen: patients forget what the surgeon said on morning rounds, and a companion who writes it down is worth a great deal.

Hydration and mouth comfort. A refillable water bottle with a straw lid, and sugar-free mints or chewing gum. Chewing gum after abdominal surgery is associated with the bowel waking up a little sooner in several studies, though the effect is modest and your team may have their own preference.

Leave at home. Valuables, large sums of cash, more than one ring, and anything you would grieve losing. Wards have lockers, but they are not vaults.

The companion packs a parallel mini kit for themselves: snacks, water, a charger, a sweater for an over-air-conditioned waiting room, and the ward’s direct phone number saved before the day begins.

What to bring to hospital for surgery if a catheter is likely

A urinary catheter is a soft tube that drains urine from the bladder into a bag, and it is the item that most changes the packing list. After a TURP, Mayo Clinic notes the catheter usually stays in for roughly 24 to 48 hours, sometimes longer. After radical prostatectomy it typically stays in for a week or two while the join between bladder and urethra heals. Some kidney and bladder operations also involve a catheter for a short period. Ask at pre-assessment whether one is expected; the answer shapes the going-home clothes.

What helps:

• Dark, loose trousers with wide legs. A leg bag straps to the thigh or calf and is invisible under wide fabric; a drop of urine on dark cloth is invisible too.
• Boxer shorts or loose briefs rather than tight underwear, so the tube is not kinked.
• A long shirt or tunic that covers the waistband.
• Incontinence pads and a few disposable bed protectors for home. Even after the catheter comes out, some leakage is common while the bladder and pelvic floor recover.
• A small washable bag or a dressing gown with deep pockets for carrying the night bag when walking to the bathroom.

The ward will usually teach catheter care before discharge: keeping the bag below bladder level so urine drains downhill, not letting the tube pull, washing hands before and after handling it, and keeping fluids up so the urine stays pale. The NHS and MedlinePlus both publish plain guides to living with a catheter that are worth reading before the day, so the lesson is a refresher rather than a first hearing. Write down who to call if the catheter stops draining; it is the single most common after-hours question.

Packing list for prostate surgery, kidney surgery and bladder procedures compared

The operation determines the bag. The table below is a general orientation drawn from mainstream patient information; your team’s figures for your situation always replace these.

Procedure	Typical operating time	Typical hospital stay	Catheter likely?	What it changes in the bag
Cystoscopy or stent removal	Minutes	Same day	Usually no	Small bag, spare underwear, pad for minor bleeding
Ureteroscopy for kidney stone	Under an hour to around an hour	Usually same day	Sometimes briefly; a ureteral stent is common	Loose trousers, pads, a note about stent discomfort
TURP	About 60 to 90 minutes (Mayo Clinic)	Often 1 to 2 days (Mayo Clinic)	Yes, roughly 1 to 3 days (NHS)	Catheter kit, two nightwear sets, pads
Radical prostatectomy	Several hours	Commonly 1 to several days	Yes, typically 1 to 2 weeks	Full catheter kit for home, abdominal pillow, slip-ons
Nephrectomy (partial or total)	Several hours	Commonly several days (Mayo Clinic)	Often, briefly	Abdominal pillow, front-opening tops, soft waistband

A few things do not show in a table. Minimally invasive approaches, meaning keyhole or robot-assisted surgery through small cuts, tend to mean shorter stays and smaller dressings than open surgery, but the surgeon decides the approach based on the anatomy and the disease, not on convenience. Flank incisions for kidney surgery sit at the side, so a front-opening shirt matters more than for lower abdominal wounds, where a soft waistband is the issue. Bladder procedures often bring the most bladder spasm afterward, so packing patience, and a heat pack if the ward allows one, is reasonable.

For a packing list for prostate surgery specifically, add the leg bag clothing described above and a firm cushion for the car. For what to pack for kidney surgery, prioritize the pillow and the front-opening tops. Everything else is shared.

How long do urology surgeries take, and why that matters for the person waiting

The duration question is really two questions: how long the operation takes, and how long the companion will be waiting. They are not the same number.

Operating times vary widely. A diagnostic cystoscopy can be done in a few minutes. Mayo Clinic puts a TURP at about 60 to 90 minutes. A radical prostatectomy or a nephrectomy typically takes several hours, longer if the anatomy is complex or the operation is converted from keyhole to open. These are typical ranges from patient information pages, not promises; a longer operation does not by itself mean something has gone wrong, and surgeons routinely take more time when it is safer to do so.

Around the operation sits everything else: the pre-operative checks, the anesthetic induction, positioning on the table, waking up and the recovery room, which can add an hour or more at each end. If the patient is third on a morning list, the companion may wait most of the day. Ask the admitting nurse roughly where the patient is on the list and whether the ward will phone when the patient is back. Then plan the wait: a walk, a meal, a charged phone, a notebook for questions.

Companions often ask whether they should stay in the building. Many hospitals prefer that you leave a reliable number and return when called, because surgical waiting areas are small and the timing is uncertain. If you stay, pack as if for a long flight: layers, water, snacks, something absorbing to read.

One practical note on timing for day cases: if the patient is going home the same day, the companion must be present at discharge and available overnight. Driving yourself after a general anesthetic is not permitted, and most teams ask for a responsible adult at home for the first 24 hours because judgment and balance remain impaired.

Do they cover your privates during surgery?

Yes. Dignity in theater is a professional standard, and the practice is more careful than most people imagine.

Here is what happens. Once the patient is anesthetized, or after the spinal has taken effect, the team positions the body for the operation. For many urological procedures this is the lithotomy position, lying on the back with the legs supported in padded stirrups, which gives access to the urethra. The skin around the operative area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution, and sterile drapes are laid so that only the specific area being operated on is visible. Everything else, including the chest, legs and face, is covered. For abdominal or flank surgery, only the rectangle of skin over the planned incision is exposed.

The exposure lasts only as long as the operation requires. Before the patient wakes, drapes are removed, the gown is replaced and a blanket is added; patients are often cold after anesthesia, and warming is part of recovery care. If a catheter is placed, it is usually done after anesthesia so the patient is unaware of it.

Who is in the room? The surgeon, often an assistant or trainee, the anesthetist and an anesthetic assistant, a scrub nurse who hands instruments, and a circulating nurse. Occasionally students observe, and consent forms usually mention this; patients can ask that students not be present, and that request is respected.

It is reasonable to ask the surgeon or anesthetist about any of this at pre-assessment, including whether a chaperone can be present for examinations while awake. Clinicians answer these questions every week, and asking is not awkward to them. For a companion, knowing the answer can quietly reassure a nervous patient the night before.

What the first days after urology surgery usually look like

Day zero is mostly sleep. The patient will wake with a cannula in a hand, perhaps a catheter, perhaps a small drain near the wound, and will be encouraged to sip and then drink. Nurses check urine color closely after prostate and bladder surgery; a rosé tint is expected, and the catheter may be flushed with sterile fluid to keep it clear of small clots.

Day one brings the first walk. This matters more than it looks: early mobilization reduces the risk of a blood clot in the leg, helps the lungs expand and nudges the bowel back into action after anesthesia and opioid painkillers slow it. Slip-on shoes and a dressing gown with pockets earn their place here. Pain is managed with a plan the team sets, often combining regular non-opioid painkillers with stronger medicine as needed; the patient should say early if pain is stopping them moving or breathing deeply, because untreated pain delays recovery.

Day two or three is often discharge after a TURP, assuming the catheter is out and the patient is passing urine with reasonable comfort. After a nephrectomy or prostatectomy the stay is usually longer, and the first bowel movement and the ability to manage stairs tend to be the milestones the team watches. Mayo Clinic describes recovery after TURP as a matter of weeks, with strenuous activity, heavy lifting and straining avoided for around four to six weeks; after kidney removal, Mayo Clinic says most people need several weeks before returning to normal activity. These are typical ranges, not targets.

Across all of these, the pattern is the same: a little more walking each day, pale urine, meals that gradually normalize, and sleep that improves once the ward’s rhythm is behind you. A companion who keeps a simple daily log of fluid intake, urine color, temperature and pain helps the follow-up conversation enormously.

Why is day 3 the hardest after surgery?

Ask anyone who has had an operation and many will name the third day as the low point. There is no single study that crowns day three, so treat this as a pattern that clinicians recognize rather than a rule, but the mechanisms behind it are real and worth knowing in advance.

First, the anesthetic drugs and any long-acting local anesthetic or nerve block have fully worn off by then, so the body’s own experience of the wound arrives in full. Second, the inflammatory response to tissue injury, which drives swelling, warmth and stiffness, tends to peak in the second to third day before it begins to settle. Third, the bowel is often at its most sluggish around now: anesthesia, reduced movement and opioid painkillers all slow it, and bloating and constipation make everything else feel worse. Fourth, sleep debt has accumulated after two nights of observations, alarms and an unfamiliar bed. Fifth, and underrated, the adrenaline of getting through the operation has faded, and the long middle of recovery is suddenly visible.

None of this means something is wrong. It does mean that packing for day three is a sensible idea. Pack a stool softener only if your team has recommended one; otherwise ask about constipation before discharge rather than after. Pack food the patient actually likes, because hospital meals are not designed for a queasy appetite. Pack the eye mask and earplugs. And plan for the companion to be around on day three, whether on the ward or at home, because a low mood with pain and poor sleep is a moment where company changes the day.

A fever, a wound that is spreading in redness, or new calf pain on day three is a different matter entirely and belongs in the red-flag section below.

The trip home: car seat, pillow and catheter bag

Discharge day is where companions earn their title. Three things make the journey easier.

The seat. Bring a firm, flat cushion and a folded towel. The cushion lifts the patient enough that getting in and out needs less bending; the towel protects the seat and, more importantly, lets the patient stop worrying about leakage. For abdominal wounds, a small pillow pressed against the dressing when the car hits a bump, or when the patient coughs or laughs, reduces the pull on the incision. Recline the seat a little so the seat belt crosses the chest and lap rather than the wound.

The catheter. If the patient goes home with one, the leg bag should be strapped below the knee or on the thigh, with the tap closed and the tube running straight, never looped over the belt. Empty it before setting off. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level during the drive; a bag lifted onto the lap can allow urine to run back toward the bladder. A spare pad and a plastic bag in the door pocket cover accidents without drama.

The stops. On longer journeys, stop roughly every hour so the patient can stand and walk a few steps, which keeps blood moving in the calves. Ankle circles and calf squeezes between stops help. The patient should not drive; apart from the anesthetic, an emergency stop with a fresh abdominal wound is both painful and dangerous, and the team will say when driving is reasonable again. Insurers often want that medical clearance too.

Before leaving the ward, make sure the folder now contains the discharge summary, the wound and catheter instructions, the date of the first follow-up or catheter removal, and a phone number for problems out of hours. Read the discharge summary in the car park, not at home, so questions can be asked while the nurse is still nearby.

What people often get wrong

Myth: more is safer, so pack everything. Oversized bags end up on the floor of a small bay, get in the way of nursing staff and are a tripping hazard for a patient who is unsteady. One medium bag plus the folder is the right size for most stays; a companion can bring extras later.

Myth: bleeding after prostate or bladder surgery means something has gone wrong. Pink or light red urine, and small clots, are expected in the first days and sometimes return briefly a week or two later when the scab inside the urethra or bladder separates. Thick red urine, large clots or urine that stops flowing are different and need a call.

Myth: rest means bed. Prolonged bed rest raises the risk of clots, chest infection and constipation. Gentle, frequent walking is part of the treatment, not a departure from it.

Myth: drinking less reduces catheter hassle. The reverse. Concentrated urine irritates the bladder, encourages infection and lets small clots block the tube. Pale urine is the goal unless the team has set a fluid limit for a heart or kidney reason.

Myth: it is best to stop blood thinners to be safe. Stopping or continuing is a balance between bleeding and clotting that only the prescribing clinician can weigh for an individual. Follow the written plan.

Myth: a catheter that leaks around the tube is faulty. Leakage around the tube is often a bladder spasm, a brief cramp of the bladder muscle, rather than a broken catheter. It is worth reporting, but it is rarely an emergency.

Myth: the companion is just a driver. The companion is the second pair of ears on rounds, the keeper of the notebook, the person who notices the fever and the one who makes day three bearable.

Questions to ask your care team before you pack

Pre-assessment is the right moment for these, and a companion who asks them gets a bag that fits the operation rather than a generic list.

• Is this a day case or an overnight stay, and how many nights are typical for this operation?
• Will there be a catheter? If so, roughly how long, and will it be removed on the ward or at a later appointment?
• Where will the incisions be, so I know whether front-opening tops or soft waistbands matter more?
• Which of the current medicines pause before surgery, which continue, and from what time?
• Should the patient bring their own medicines in original packaging?
• When exactly do solids and clear fluids stop, and does the patient take any morning tablets with a sip of water?
• Will compression stockings or a clot-prevention injection be used, and will any continue at home?
• What type of anesthesia is planned, and can the patient ask for a particular approach to nausea if they have been sick after anesthesia before?
• Are there dressings to change at home, and will the ward supply the first set?
• What is the plan for pain relief at home, and what is the plan for constipation?
• Who do we call out of hours if the catheter stops draining or the wound looks worse?
• When is the first follow-up, and how will results from anything removed during surgery be shared?
• When is driving, lifting, bathing and returning to work usually reasonable after this operation?

Write the answers in the folder. Then, on the ward, ask one more question at each morning round: what is the plan for today? It is the question that aligns the patient, the companion and the team, and it is the one most likely to shorten the stay by revealing what still has to happen before discharge.

When to call your doctor

Most recoveries are quiet, but some signs need a same-day call to the ward, the surgical team or the out-of-hours number on the discharge sheet, and a few need emergency services.

Call the team the same day for: a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, or shaking chills; urine that turns thick red, contains large clots or stops flowing with a catheter in place; inability to pass urine for several hours after the catheter has been removed, with a swollen, painful lower abdomen; a wound that becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen or leaks pus or foul-smelling fluid; pain that is getting worse rather than better despite the prescribed plan; persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down; no bowel movement for several days with bloating and pain; or a catheter that has fallen out.

Call emergency services immediately for: chest pain, sudden breathlessness or coughing up blood, which can signal a clot that has traveled to the lung; a swollen, painful or warm calf, usually on one side, which can signal a clot in the leg; heavy bleeding that soaks dressings or fills the catheter bag with bright red blood; confusion, drowsiness that is hard to rouse, or fainting; or signs of severe infection such as fever with a fast heartbeat, rapid breathing, mottled or very pale skin, or feeling extremely unwell.

Companions tend to notice these changes first, especially confusion and breathlessness. A simple rule helps: if you are debating whether something counts, make the call. Clinical teams would far rather hear about a normal pink tint than miss a blocked catheter. Every judgment about what the sign means, and what to do next, sits with the treating team; the companion’s job is to notice early and describe clearly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important thing to bring to hospital for surgery?

An accurate, printed list of every medicine, supplement and allergy, plus the medicines in their original boxes. Clinical teams can lend almost everything else, but they cannot safely guess a medication history. Add the appointment letter, identification the admissions office requested and two phone numbers for the people to be called after the operation. Keep it all in one folder at the top of the bag.

Do they cover your privates during surgery?

Yes. After anesthesia, sterile drapes are placed so that only the small area being operated on is exposed, and only for as long as the operation needs. Before the patient wakes, drapes are removed and a gown and warm blanket are replaced. Catheters are usually inserted after anesthesia. Patients can ask the team about who will be in the room and request that students not observe.

How long do urology surgeries take?

It depends on the operation. A diagnostic cystoscopy takes minutes, Mayo Clinic puts a TURP at about 60 to 90 minutes, and a radical prostatectomy or nephrectomy typically takes several hours. Add time at each end for anesthesia and recovery, so companions often wait most of a day. A longer operation does not by itself mean a problem; surgeons take extra time when it is safer.

Why is day 3 the hardest after surgery?

Several things converge around then: anesthetic and nerve-block effects have fully worn off, tissue inflammation tends to peak in the second to third day, the bowel is at its most sluggish from anesthesia and opioid painkillers, and two poor nights of sleep have accumulated. It is a recognized pattern rather than a rule. Fever, spreading wound redness or calf pain on day three are not part of it and need a call.

What not to do 2 weeks before surgery?

Do not start new supplements or over-the-counter products without telling the team, do not stop prescribed medicines on your own, do not shave the surgical area at home, and avoid tattoos, piercings or dental extractions. Report any new cough, fever or urinary symptoms rather than hoping they pass. Follow the written fasting times exactly, because arriving with food in the stomach can mean cancellation.

What should a hospital bag checklist for surgery include if I will have a catheter?

Dark, wide-legged trousers with an elastic waist, loose boxer shorts or briefs, a long shirt to cover the waistband, incontinence pads and a few disposable bed protectors for home. A dressing gown with deep pockets helps carry the bag when walking on the ward. Ask the nurses to show you how to empty the bag and keep it below bladder level before you leave.

What is a good packing list for prostate surgery specifically?

Everything on the general list plus a full catheter kit for home, because the catheter after radical prostatectomy commonly stays in for one to two weeks. Include a firm cushion for the car, slip-on shoes, pads for leakage after the catheter comes out, and a notebook for pelvic floor exercise instructions. After a TURP the catheter stay is shorter, so pack fewer pads but still bring dark loose trousers.

What to pack for kidney surgery that is different from other operations?

Kidney incisions often sit at the side or across the upper abdomen, so front-opening tops matter more than for lower abdominal wounds. Pack a small pillow to press against the incision when coughing or getting out of the car, soft-waisted trousers, and slip-on shoes. Mayo Clinic describes recovery after nephrectomy as taking several weeks, so plan the home setup for that period.

Can the companion stay overnight on the ward?

Policies vary, and most adult surgical wards do not have space for overnight visitors except in special circumstances such as a patient with dementia or communication needs. Ask at pre-assessment. If staying is not possible, confirm visiting hours, save the ward’s direct number, and agree a time the patient or nurse will call. A companion returning rested on day one is more useful than one sleeping in a chair.

When can the patient drive, bathe or lift things after urology surgery?

Only when the surgical team says so; it depends on the operation, the incisions and whether a catheter is in place. As a general orientation, Mayo Clinic advises avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting for around four to six weeks after a TURP, and most teams prohibit driving while a catheter is in or while an emergency stop would be painful. Ask for specific timeframes at discharge and write them in the folder.

References

• NHS: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), Recovery
• NHS: Urinary catheters
• MedlinePlus: Urinary catheters

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.