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The possibility of surgery is scary, but what freaks me out is the required catheter for 7-10 days afterwards. I would like to hear your thoughts on how this is managed. Is it painful, uncomfortable or tolerable? Do you need to sit in a chair most of the 10-days, do you wear totally loose-fitting pants, must you lay only on your back in bed? How easy is it to walk around and go to the bathroom (for #2)?
Replies to "The possibility of surgery is scary, but what freaks me out is the required catheter for..."
@golf2026 re: catheter.
It wasn't the catheter that was painful, it was the wounds from the incisions that kept me on painkillers and sitting on an icebag for several days. It was hard to change positions from sitting to lying down etc.
For me, the catheter required constant awareness of what you're doing and the possibility of catching the tube or bag on something. And you have to be aware off where things are at night when you get up so you dont trip or pull the bag/tube. Walking around is encouraged. I found it easiest to use a walker while sitting or walking around - so as to hang the bag on it, and carry other things like a drink, a book, remote control etc. It was easiest for me to just stay in boxers around the house.
Laying on back in bed was easiest as you dont want to pinch the tube by rolling on to it. My friend just slept in a recliner to be comfortable.
@golf2026
It’s very manageable. Yes, sweat pants are best or loose slacks for going out. No pain on insertion or removal - it’s the visual that strikes our nerve. And yes, lots of downtime but you can certainly work. No golf.
I think I feared the catheter more than the surgery but in my case and I suspect for most others it was completely manageable.
I used a leg bag even at night, I'd empty just before bed and when I woke with no issues. During the day I sat in a chair or laid in a bed or couch. In the evenings I slept in a bed. For the 8 days I had mine I went outside to walk.
It didn't hurt although you know and have a sensation it's there, once removed it felt fantastic to feel untethered.
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@golf2026 I had RARP a couple months ago. The catheter was in place for 8 days. It was not painful except for when there was the occasional tug when the velcro strap around my thigh that held the catheter in place got loose (happened when the day bag got full and heavy). For this reason, I started to just use the night bag most of the time. I got a bucket to place the night bag in and carried it around the house. I stayed indoors those 8 days but was able to go up and down the stairs, walk around the house etc. w/o difficulty. It helped to wear boxer briefs one size larger (to accommodate the catheter) and thread the catheter down one of the legs openings.
All the best!