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Catheter questions, pre-and post-OP: Your insights?

Posted by gchdrake @gchdrake, Nov 13 5:16am

Hello,
I am new to this forum and have read many messages and replies. It seems everyone has a different experience and the conversations reflect that. I am wondering what the catheter experience is regarding post op and I see many leave it in for up to 2 weeks.
My Questions:
1) I thought the catheter had to be removed every day to avoid infection?
2) After 2 weeks are most people generally 'clear'?
3) For pants or pads, what is a geneeral rule most of you follow through the day or night?

I am sure I will have many more questions, my surgery is scheduled for Nov-22

Thank you in advance for any insights,
Gordon

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gchdrake | @gchdrake | Nov 13 7:25am
In reply to @web265 "Hey Gordon, I'm afraid there are a lot of different experiences here. Some of it is..." + (show)
@web265

Hey Gordon,
I'm afraid there are a lot of different experiences here. Some of it is related to how much tissue/nerve etc.. the surgeon has to remove, some is related to personal experience and how people perceive things, some is related to ..well..people are different. 🙂
The only thing we can do is share experiences to give you ideas and food for thought...

My catheter was in for around 10 days. It was not removed at all during that time frame, in fact, I didn't see the doc again till it was time to remove it. I'm not sure what you mean by "clear" but my urine was very normal by this time.
At first there was the occaisional spec of dried blood, which my doc told me was normal. That lasted a couple days.
You will be told not to "push" when moving your bowels to avoid extra pressure on the catheter.

On around day 3 I noticed a white milky substance, just a very little coming out around the catheter from my urethral meatus (pee hole). I used the medical portal to ask about this, I was told it's not uncommon and to just let them know if it got any worse. It cleared up a day or so later. After about the 4th day, very normal ops.

I was apprently different than a lot on here. While on the cath I used the big bag for a few days then tried out a leg bag. This goes under baggy pants nicely (or jeans) and you can go out into the world without dragging the big bag with you. I'd stay fairly close to a place where you can empty it if needed till you get used to it. ( I live in a suburban area where a bathroom is never really more than 10 minutes away). I'd always use the large bag at night. I've seen quite a few on here say they would just put the big bag in a shopping bag when going out, as well.

I'd use a little neosporin after showers to help avoid infection. You'll be told how to shower and wash the area.

Pants and pads? I used my regular pants but wore older style boxer underwear with the pee flap. If on a leg bag I'd put the hose through the underwear flap to my leg. If on the big bag around the house, I cut a slot in an old pair of sweats for lounging around the house.

I never had to wear diapers, some do. I used a pad for maybe a couple weeks after the cath was out anytime I was concerned that there might be leakage. There wasn't any generally speaking, just under stress. Sneezing, coughing, flatuating (you'll have to learn that art over again! 🙂 ). Those all went away over time. Do your kegels!

Only thing I can think of I'd do differently? Maybe get PT prescribed to help with the potential incontinence so that the stress leakage would have gone away faster.

Best of Luck to you!

Jump to this post

Thanks so much, very helpful information.

Learning curves....

REPLY
web265 | @web265 | Nov 13 5:53am

Hey Gordon,
I'm afraid there are a lot of different experiences here. Some of it is related to how much tissue/nerve etc.. the surgeon has to remove, some is related to personal experience and how people perceive things, some is related to ..well..people are different. 🙂
The only thing we can do is share experiences to give you ideas and food for thought...

My catheter was in for around 10 days. It was not removed at all during that time frame, in fact, I didn't see the doc again till it was time to remove it. I'm not sure what you mean by "clear" but my urine was very normal by this time.
At first there was the occaisional spec of dried blood, which my doc told me was normal. That lasted a couple days.
You will be told not to "push" when moving your bowels to avoid extra pressure on the catheter.

On around day 3 I noticed a white milky substance, just a very little coming out around the catheter from my urethral meatus (pee hole). I used the medical portal to ask about this, I was told it's not uncommon and to just let them know if it got any worse. It cleared up a day or so later. After about the 4th day, very normal ops.

I was apprently different than a lot on here. While on the cath I used the big bag for a few days then tried out a leg bag. This goes under baggy pants nicely (or jeans) and you can go out into the world without dragging the big bag with you. I'd stay fairly close to a place where you can empty it if needed till you get used to it. ( I live in a suburban area where a bathroom is never really more than 10 minutes away). I'd always use the large bag at night. I've seen quite a few on here say they would just put the big bag in a shopping bag when going out, as well.

I'd use a little neosporin after showers to help avoid infection. You'll be told how to shower and wash the area.

Pants and pads? I used my regular pants but wore older style boxer underwear with the pee flap. If on a leg bag I'd put the hose through the underwear flap to my leg. If on the big bag around the house, I cut a slot in an old pair of sweats for lounging around the house.

I never had to wear diapers, some do. I used a pad for maybe a couple weeks after the cath was out anytime I was concerned that there might be leakage. There wasn't any generally speaking, just under stress. Sneezing, coughing, flatuating (you'll have to learn that art over again! 🙂 ). Those all went away over time. Do your kegels!

Only thing I can think of I'd do differently? Maybe get PT prescribed to help with the potential incontinence so that the stress leakage would have gone away faster.

Best of Luck to you!

REPLY
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