What supplies did you have ready for urinary incontinence after RP?

My RARP surgery was a little over 5 years ago, but I don't think that there has been major scientific or technological breakthroughs in dealing with urinary incontinence (UI). I explored various on-line forums/groups for information, and this is what worked well for me:

1. [Depends Underwear 1-2 per day] For the week that I had the foley catheter in place, I used Depends Underwear which provided a bit of penis cushioning and positional control, caught any very minor leaks, and dealt well with the neosporin that I was told to use at the catheter insertion point. If I remember correctly, putting the bag through the leg hole before my foot made it easier to put them on and simply rip the side seams apart to take them off. I had both a large urnine bag and a small bag (what we called the "to go bag") that could be strapped to my calf. Dealing with the large bag at home was easier by placing it in a smallish plastic bucket which I could just carry around the house and sit on the floor beside whatever seat I was sitting on or beside the bed when resting or sleeping. When showering, I had a small plastic carabiner on a piece of cord that was tied to a towel bar that was inside the shower. I would clip the bag onto the cord, which kept the bag below my bladder and out of the way. I tried a neck lanyard and cord at first, but showering was easier without the bag hanging and banging against my legs. I used the "to go bag" when I just needed to get out of the house and push a cart through Home Depot as I dreamed of the renovation projects that we had planned for our house. Also used it when I spoke in front of City Council about a zoning ammendment that I was supporting. Once when sitting on the sofa watching a movie with the family, I felt my foot getting a bit damp and thought that our dog, who had been laying at my feet had an accident, but he was no longer there. I saw that a tubing connection wasn't seated all the way and started leaking. I just shouted something like "Attention movie goers, watch your footing. There's a liquid spill in front of the seats!" My wife went and got some paper towels as I reconnected the popped tubing. Last thing about my time with a catheter . . . sleep on the side of the bed so that the leg with the tubing attached to it is on the outside. We had to swap sides for a while, and we also used an absorbent pad on the bed and on the sofa during this time.
2. [Depends Underwear 5-6 per day at first, Depends Guards 5-6 per day progressing to 2-4 per day] For a while after the catheter was removed I had substantial leakage, so I still wore the Depends underwear before switching to Depends Guards. Guards require briefs (tighty whities), since boxers will not hold them in place. My incontinence issues persisted for a few months before I finally admitted that I needed help beyond doing what I thought was a kegel. I requested and was given a prescription for pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT). I won't go into details on that here, but it helped me regain my continence.
3. [Depends Shields 7-8 per day progressing to 1-2 per day] After a couple of months of PFPT, I was using just Depends Shields, which also require briefs.
4. After a couple more months of PFPT, I was back in my boxers.

Others from my in person support group have used and liked Tena products instead of Depends.

Hello,

Good advice from farmanerd on products. I just had my prostatectomy on April 16th 2024. I am using the depends product for diapers but prefer the Tena product for pads. My catheter came out yesterday and I was in the bathroom quite a bit due to drinking large amounts of water. Today much better.

Stay in touch with this group. The folks in this group are a tremendous help and very supportive. Wishing you and your husband the best.

Two thoughts. First, don't "stock up" on large numbers of anything. Odds are if kegel's are done and surgeon is experienced, improvement in continence will be progressive over 2-6 month period. So if you need a #4 pad 2 weeks after, you might only need that for a couple of weeks.

Second, after the cath came out, I used Depends underwear for about 4 days. Then switched to pads pasted in the underwear. I found Poise (for women) to be most convenient and comfortable. Slim, no "wings" to rub , glue worked well, readily available. By 4 months after surgery, I was down to one #1 regular length pad a day.

I agree with trusam1 about stocking up. I made the mistake of buying pads and Depends underwear in bulk and now have about 80% or more of those just sitting around collecting dust (not complaining though!) as I never really needed the Depends underwear and only needed the pads for about 6 weeks for very minor leaking when taking long walks, etc. A good surgeon and Kegel prep before and after can certainly make a difference.

A local church run food pantry also handled personal care items. They were very happy when I donated my unneeded extra underwear and pads. Goodwill will take unopened packages.

@themurfs, this is a great topic to have started. I expanded the title and am replying to bring this topic back up.

As you prepare for surgery, you might also be interested in this related discussion:
- Improving Incontinence Post Therapy
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/improving-incontinence-post-therapy/

Great comments trusam1 and mn281. I stocked up on pads and depends from goodwill and other thrift stores. I was very blessed and fully continent after catheter removal. I donated the pads and depends back to the same places I got them.

Hello! Thanks for the uplifting response. Do you attribute your great outcome to anything specific?

Thank you Colleen! You have been so helpful!

My Mayo surgeon. Dr. Ram Pathak. I did kegals every other day for six weeks prior to surgery. I would also do them while walking and moving around, not just when sitting or laying around. My thoughts are everyone does kegals before surgery but I was blessed that my cancer was contained to the prostate and I had Dr. Pathak. I owe my continence to his skill and the technique he used. Dr. Pathak is why I was continent so soon. He and Mayo are the best