Bladder Neck Incision (BNI)

You have been found to have a tight bladder neck, or an enlarged prostate gland. This may be causing you to have a problem passing urine. you have just had an operation called a BNI (Bladder Neck Incision).  

Bleeding 

At home you may still see blood in your urine. This is normal and can last for up to 4 weeks. As with any wounds, scabs form and eventually drop off, causing minor bleeding. If this happens, you should drink plenty of fluids to dilute any blood that is present. If the bleeding is heavy, with clots then you should contact your GP.  

You may continue to pass urine frequently. This should gradually improve over the next few weeks and months. Continue to practice any pelvic floor exercises you have been taught.  

Pain 

It is advisable to take pain relief regularly. Always follow the instructions on the side of the packet and do not exceed the recommended daily dose. 

If you experience increasing frequency of needing to pass urine, pain while passing urine, or you develop a temperature, there is a possibility you may have a urine infection. Please contact your GP or out of hours service. You may be asked to provide a urine sample and if necessary take a course of antibiotics.  

Activity 

Strenuous exercise such as gardening, decorating, heavy lifting, golf, and cycling should be avoided for two weeks. You should gradually increase your level of activity after that. The speed of recovery will vary from patient to patient, but as a general guide between four to six weeks is seen as normal.  

Gentle walking and swimming are beneficial and can be undertaken immediately. 

You must not drive for the first twenty four hours if you have had sedation or a general anaesthetic. This is a requirement of the Road Traffic Act.  Driving is best avoided for two weeks after the operation, but you may travel as a passenger of a car immediately. Driving for long distances should best be avoided until you have completely recovered. 

Sexual activity can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable.  

Try not to strain when you go to the toilet. If you become constipated contact your GP for advice. 

You own circumstances will depend on when you can go back to work. Most light jobs may be resumed after four weeks, and any heavy jobs should be avoided for at least six weeks. 

General information 

You may have a catheter. This will be removed by the district nurses on ………………. 

You will be given advice on how to manage your catheter at home with supplies provided. 

When the catheter has been removed, you may experience some difficulties, for example needing to pass urine frequently and urgently. You may also experience some dribbling. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. It occurs because it takes time for the area operated on and the bladder to recover.  

Follow up  

You will be seen in the outpatients department or contacted by telephone approximately two to three months after the operation. When the results of any samples taken are back from the laboratory, you may be contacted by telephone. 

Contact numbers

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the following staff:

Your family doctor (GP)

NHS Direct on 111

Dorchester Day Surgery Unit 01305 254501 (day of procedure only) 

Lulworth Ward after 7pm/8pm 01305 255471 

Abbotsbury Ward after 7pm/8pm 01305 255150 

Urology Nurse Specialist 01305 255415 

Continence Advisors 01305 259978 

Consultant Urological Surgeons
Mr N Afzal 01305 255468

Mr R David 01305 255274 

Miss F New 01305 255470 

Mr R Blegay 01305 255468 

Mr M Bajwa 01305 255274 

Mr Q Chaudhry  01305 255274

About this leaflet

Authors: Andy Goffe, Cancer Nurse Specialist, Kirsten Ryan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Miss F New, Urology Consultant, Kayleigh Fairchild, Deputy Sister  
Written: May 2018
Updated and approved: July 2025
Review date: July 2028
Edition: v2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk