Catheter questions, pre-and post-OP: Your insights?

Posted by gchdrake @gchdrake, Nov 13 5:16am

Hello,
I am new to this forum and have read many messages and replies. It seems everyone has a different experience and the conversations reflect that. I am wondering what the catheter experience is regarding post op and I see many leave it in for up to 2 weeks.
My Questions:
1) I thought the catheter had to be removed every day to avoid infection?
2) After 2 weeks are most people generally 'clear'?
3) For pants or pads, what is a geneeral rule most of you follow through the day or night?

I am sure I will have many more questions, my surgery is scheduled for Nov-22

Thank you in advance for any insights,
Gordon

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

brownsf | @brownsf | 2 days ago

I had an RP several years ago for prostate cancer and a subsequent partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer. After the nephrectomy, I developed "clot obstruction"---blood clots obstructing the urethra (very bad). Both that and the RP required multiple catheters. The doctor even replaced the catheter for the clot obstruction with a larger diameter one and I was expecting the worst. Fortunately, the catheter insertions were not painful, just uncomfortable. I never used the leg bag. I carried the catheter bag in a shopping bag when I went out, which I held close to my leg. No one could tell.
I strongly recommend placing the catheter bag in a bucket next to the bed at night to avoid accidents-like stepping on the bag when you get up (very messy). By the way, my PSA is now undetectable and I just had an MRI showing that the kidneys are cancer free.