@diverjer -- I was age 70 at surgery, so younger than you. Other than a few days after the catheter came out when I used a pad as I was figuring out the new normal, I never really needed a pad during the day. I did sleep with a pad under the sheet for a long time as I didn't have confidence I wouldn't have an accident at night. Although I never needed the bed pad post-catheter, its use let me relax and sleep better at night. Stress incontinence during the day did occur for me at times during the first year, but very light and very infrequent, so I didn't wear a pad during the day. That said, I did worry about it a bit and my confidence wasn't great. I compensated by urinating more frequently than before surgery. Over time (like 3 months or so) my confidence to control the "new normal" grew and as I started finding myself forgeting to worry about it I found I could successfully hold it longer. Hence my confidence grew as I became more sure of my ability to hold it, and life slowly went back to normal. Today I continue 1 set of Kegels a day where I do 10 holding for 10 seconds with a 10 second rest between each, and then 20 quick ones. I was 70 at the time of my surgery, and my doctor said I had a 90% chance of being continent at 1 year. I was lucky that I was ccontinent so quickly. I'm no expert on this and certainly not a medical professional, but I'd suggest keep doing your Kegels and get PT as soon as you're allowed. Hopefully you'll be one of the many that do regain continence over the 1st year. Best wishes.