How to deal with catheter while recovering after prostate surgery?

The nurse went over the cleaning procedure required for switching between bags but I was staying in a hotel and didn't want to deal with that or constant emptying so I just kept the night bag for six days and then switched to the leg bag for the glorious removal day. You can request or buy extra leg bags if you don't want to deal with cleaning - the actual bag changeout procedure is incredibly simple.

I don't know if it was a bad angle or what, but no matter how much I cleaned and lubed the tube, it rubbed me the wrong way (literally). I was determined to walk as much as possible so I just dealt with the irritation and intermittent blood. Catheter removal was a breeze and I haven't had any incontinence beyond an occasional dribble - and even that is less than I had before the surgery.

Thank you for the advice. Before I started this discussion thread, I was pretty sure it was not only helpful but also necessary to hire some help at least for the first few days of post-surgery recovery. But based on some of the responses in this thread, I am wondering whehter I am ovrthinking it (and over worrying about handling the cathether .etc. ) and making it harder than it really is.

Still, I am leaning towards hiring some help at least for the first few days to help me get in and out of showers as you suggested , maybe changing bags etc. while experiencing some pain and discomfort.

Could very well be I'm just a wuss when it comes to pain. 😮😁

I hope my experience is similar to yours! If not, I will have to deal with the pain and soreness with neosporene etc.

My husband is also waiting for surgery and I just want to wish you super successful RARP and zero issues afterwards.
Also, if hiring somebody for help is going to take some weight off your mind and ease your worries just do it ! It is nice to have somebody available even if it is just to have that someone confirm that all looks normal and can bring you food and all other necessities. We should never forget that body heals much faster if our mind is not stressed. Do what will make your life easier and especially if you can afford it - why fret ;).

Great advice.

Thank you.

I too wish your husband the best possible outcome with the surgery.

The catheter is no big deal, really. A few housekeeping things I did made the experience almost unnoticeable, except for when I slept:

• Sterile and lotion infused wet wipes: I used these every time I emptied my leg bag just to keep everything sanitary

• Medical grade lubricant: Again, every time I emptied the leg bag or if the lubricant was drying out. This right at the tip of my penis, where the catheter goes in and on the catheter tube itself kept me from ever having the catheter pull uncomfortably and, in my case, made having an erection much less uncomfortable

• Breakaway pants: A total game changer for being able to manage your catheter, both when you have to maintain it and just for when you are at home and want to be comfortable with the tube running out around your thigh rather than down your leg or over your waistband

@jeffmark often tells about his post-operative time where he was at work pretty soon after RARP, like nothing happened. It seems bizarre, but after having gone through this I could have worked onsite - I wouldn't have wanted to, but I could have. For me, the first few days for mental health and not worrying about anything was just as medicinal as the meds themselves.

I only had the night bag; was not a problem for me.
I carried or rested the bag in a plastic bucket and walked with it in the house.
My catheter experience was benign; highly recommend daily cleaning and lubricating of tube. Easy to understand online videos, including one from Mayo.
Best wishes.

I did the bucket thing and vowed to never do that again. It was just a nuisance 100% of the time. I mostly used the night bag as well, but did use the leg bag for outings. What I ended up doing the last two days was hang the hook of the bag on my breakaway pant snaps down my leg, 100% more comfortable. I wasn't worry about a leak.

Great tips! Thank you.

What I worry about are #1: infection (UTI) and #2 discomfort and inconvenience. You have great recommendations on addressing both concerns,

With respect to carrying the bag around, I am considering to check out the breakout pants in the coming days, but have already ordered from Amazon a loose pant with a bag inside it to hold the bag and with zippers in front to access the bag for emptying. I will have some idea of if and how that might work when I recieve it.

I am learning a lot from a wonderful group whose members have already gone through the process and are willing and able to help newbies like me what works and doesn't. It is also mentally reassuring to know that carryiing aorund the dreaded cathether is not as bad as I have always imagined it to be.