It can be hard to pee for a little while after anesthesia, especially if you were numbed from the waist down. The medicines used during anesthesia can also make passing urine a bit worse in the early period after surgery.

For a day-case operation, you usually need to pass urine before you are allowed to go home. If you still cannot pee, the team may need to place a catheter, a soft tube that drains urine from the bladder, and that can delay discharge.

This problem is usually temporary. If it keeps going, you may need follow-up with a doctor who specializes in urine and prostate problems. Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.