Post-Implant Instructions and Guidelines Activity and Diet You will be instructed not to drive a vehicle for 24 hours after your implant because you have received anesthesia. Heavy lifting and straining, bicycle riding and horseback riding should be avoided for 2 weeks to prevent any bleeding. You may bathe or shower any time after your implant. You may gradually return to your regular diet. Medications Medications that may be prescribed after your implant include an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory medication and a medication to help improve urinary flow. Which medications you receive is dependent on your individual doctor's orders and will be determined after your implant. Please note that these prescriptions will need to be filled and the medications started the day of your implant. Discomfort Patients do not usually experience severe pain from this procedure. Mild discomfort or a burning sensation is common. The application of an ice bag to the perineum (area between scrotum and anus) for 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 24 hours and a mild pain reliever, such as Tylenol, should relieve any discomfort. Implant Side Effects After a seed implant, it is common to experience some difficulty with urination. You may experience some burning when you pass urine and notice some blood in the urine. Most bleeding usually resolves within 48 hours. If it should persist beyond that, notify your urologist. Other common urinary symptoms are: frequency (a need to urinate more often), urgency (a strong desire to urinate), a decreased force of the urinary stream and difficulty starting the urinary stream. Rarely, a complete blockage may occur. If this should happen, you will need to see your urologist or go to the emergency room to have a catheter placed in your bladder to allow urine to flow. In most cases, the urinary side effects are moderate and resolve in a few weeks to a few months. The initial urinary side effects are caused by inflammation and swelling from the implant. Delayed urinary symptoms often begin 7-10 days after the implant and are due to the side effects of the radiation. Urinary symptoms may last for several months. Rectal symptoms are relatively uncommon. Occasionally, some constipation, diarrhea or small amounts of blood may occur. If these symptoms become bothersome, call your physician. Sometimes initial ejaculations may feel different and the ejaculate may be temporarily discolored dark brown or black. These changes will resolve over time. However, the amount of ejaculate will diminish after the implant. Some men can develop problems with erections after the implant, please discuss this with your doctors. The perineum may be tender, swollen, bruised and may bleed slightly. You may notice swelling and bruising on the penis and scrotum as well. This is quite normal and will resolve with time. Radiation Safety Precautions The amount of time small children spend on your lap should be limited to 5 minutes a day. Pregnant women should stay at least 3 feet away (about an arm's length). At this distance, there is no limit on the time they can spend with you. You and your partner may continue to sleep in the same bed. You may resume intercourse when ready, with the recommendation that you use a condom for the first 2 weeks following the implant. There are no precautions for the general public and pets. Depending on family situations, some patients may be interested in purchasing a lead-lined undergarment called RadiationGuard. We can provide you with ordering information. Follow-up care One of our nurses will call you the day after your implant to check on your progress and answer any questions. You should have a follow-up visit with your urologist and radiation oncologist according to their recommendations. This information will be included in your discharge instructions.