Once you get past the first week or so, from catheter being removed I seem to remember yes you will know when to head to bathroom. I am @ 10 months post surgery and still use lightest pad but only .01 or .02 by weight leak. For me now I believe most leaking is right after urinating, just hard to stop dripping. Just started to see pelvic floor trainer last week. Coughing and sneezing do not cause me to leak but the occasional clearing my throat ever once in a while I do feel a little squirt of leak. I hope you are one of us that has no leaks at all . I have a friend that had absolutely no leaks from day one. I will get to totally dry soon I believe. At any rate life is good you will do well and probably find things not as bad as you fear.