Getting ready for RARP...things to get ahead of time

You will get many tips for what has worked for others. The tips will vary too and you are able to pick and choose what ends up working for you.
I got well prepared with mens pads (thick and thin) and depends diaper pull-up's. I also did purchase a waterproof plastic sheet covering not knowing what to expect.
I wear boxers ,but purchased jockey briefs, my size and one size larger to test before my surgery. I tried the pads out in trial runs along with the jockey briefs and boxers. I learned for me the boxers did not appear to really hold the pads in place as the boxers don’t have much support in the front with front fly and the pads did slip to the sides in my case. In trying with briefs I found considerable support for sticking the pads in place, but my size brief squeezed the old jewels with the heavier pad in place so I went up to the next larger size and that worked fine. This was done in preparation for the catheter coming out as nothing is necessary prior. With the catheter in, my jockeys were fine. The tubing is in place so it does not pass through the front fly as it is not large enough for the catheter bag to fit through. The bag easily fits through the leg hole, so the tubing comes out under your leg holding into the bag. Now for me once the catheter came out I was well prepared and fortunately learned after one day I was continent with no leaking, so I can’t comment on what pads actually work the best. I did the first night place the plastic covering over my side of the sheet out of precaution also never needed. Good luck and alot of catheter tips you will also find on here.

After my catheter was removed following my surgery, I had no incontinence at all. That is a possibility so be prepared for it. That only happens to about 10% of people. Don’t overdo it on buying pads until you find out What your situation is.

10 years later following salvage radiation six years earlier I started leaking and it has gotten progressively worse. I got to the point where I could fill up a good pad and two hours max. Jockey shorts and Tena Pads worked really well. You of course can’t use the hole in the jockey shorts front anymore. You have to Pull over from the side of your leg or hold them down from the top? They do work quite well to hold in the pad.

Yes, you can buy a pad for the bed. Many people do not have any leakage laying down, Just stress Incontinence when they sneeze or cough. If you don’t sleep naked, then a pad in your underwear will probably be enough.

You should have a waterproof mattress pad underneath your sheet.

Different guys find different things useful (or not). Here's what I found useful for me: For sleeping and sitting around the house with my feet up during the week of the catheter, I found a cheap (dollar store) plastic bucket to hold the large bag and velcro breakaway gym pants I got on Amazon useful. The breakaway pants are certainly not required, but I found them useful to adjust the tubing and elastic strap as I adjusted my position or just generally checked things while laying around during the day. Since you can't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks after the catheter comes out, do any heavy household chores ahead of time. Some kind of lubricant for where the tubing comes out of the penis; my medical team recommended OTC antibiotic gel to me. Alcohol wipes were useful for keeping things sanitary. Constipation is to be avoided for several weeks after surgery as you really don't want to strain that area during bowel movements, so my medical team recommended I consider non-stimulative Colace stool softner. I got a generic version at the grocery store and tried it 2 weeks before surgery to see how it affected me. For me it was very gentle and I used it every day after surgery for a few weeks. I also religiously followed my medical teams advice on diet and hydration and never had any constipation after surgery. Covering the mattress is smart, but I also had a cheap disposable absorbant (plastic backed) pad I directly slept on. That proved useful one night with the catheter when the tubing pulled apart and I woke up wet. All I had to do was replace the (roughly 2' X 3') pad I was laying on, which was quick and easy. During the day, be sure to keep an eye on whatever holds your catheter tubing. I used an elastic strap than tended to slide down my leg during the day if I didn't keep an eye on it and adjust it as needed. That's bad as you don't want any "tugging" on the catheter tubing where it enters your body. Your medical team should be scheduling a meeting with you to go over pre-surgery topics like how to handle the catheter, diet suggestions, physical activity restrictions, etc. Best wishes.

Did not have surgery but have had extended stay catheters. Up the OTC antibiotic gel recommended above to one that includes lidocaine as an ingredient. Your penis tip will thank you. Good luck!