Arthur Smith Institute for Urology, New Hyde Park, NY :: 516.734.8500

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Hydrodistention

What to expect after the procedure...

Expect to wake up in the recovery room with the urge to urinate. Hydrodistention initially makes the bladder a bit excitable, causing this sensation despite the fact that the bladder is usually emptied completely after the procedure. Your nurse will give you a bedpan or urinal if needed - however, don't be surprised if not much urine is released.

When urinating for the first time and for the next few days, you may experience some burning. This sensation ultimately passes and may be relieved somewhat by drinking lots of fluids and taking a medication called Pyridium. Pyridium is an oral medication that turns your urine a bright orange color and works as an anesthetic.

You will probably see some blood in your urine. This is normal and generally clears over the next few days.

In some patients (perhaps 1 in 10), a temporary catheter is left in the bladder, to be taken out either in the recovery room or in the office the next day. This is done for a variety of reasons; usually as a safety measure.

The urgency and frequency of urination along with pelvic discomfort / pain caused by the procedure may last for several weeks, but generally settles down. After that time, about 30% of patients actually experience a decrease in symptoms. If relief occurs, the duration of relief may range from a few weeks to over a year. The average length of symptom improvement (when it occurs) is about 3 months.

You will be asked to take oral antibiotics for a few days after the procedure to prevent the development of a urinary tract infection.

Pain medication may be dispensed for discomfort related to your procedure. The type and amount of medication is prescribed on a patient by patient basis.