Unfortunately, there are too many unknown variables for anybody, with the possible exception of your surgeon, to predict how soon and to what extent you will regain continence. I hope that your experience mirrors that of the previous poster, but even if you faithfully and correctly performed Kegel pelvic floor excercises before surgery and after the removal of the catheter, there is no way to guarantee your progress. I say all of this not to discourage you, but to provide you with some context that will help avoid disappointment and discouragement if things progress slowly. In my case, I was diligent with my pelvic floor exercises, my surgeon assured me that everything indicated that I should be able to achieve full continence, but 18 months later I still need a very light Tena Shield for everyday activities, a slightly heavier pad for my 3-6 mile runs and no protection overnight. To get to this point I first started with the pull-ups for a few weeks and gradually moved to lighter pads over time. It was tough not to get discouraged at times, and ultimately I've had to give up my hope that I would regain full continence. That said, I've adjusted to this new reality, and it hasn't changed my life in any significant way. If you read posts from others, you will find some like the previous poster who pulled out the catheter and were good to go, some who lost all continence, and most who are like me and are somewhere in between those two extremes.
Good luck and stay positive!

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