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How to deal with catheter while recovering after prostate surgery?
I plan to have prostate surgery relatively soon. Onc big concern I have is how to deal with the cathether for 7 to 10 days. I live alone so I am thinking of hiring a private nurse for one hour in the morning , and one hour late afternoon to help me change from night bag to leg bag in the morning, and from day bag to night bag in the afternoon. An experienced nurse will know how to do it in a sanitary way to avoid infection. An alternative I am thinking is always keeping the night bag, which has pluses, but too bulky to drag 24 hours. Any suggestions?
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Sorry if this is off topic but I’d like if possible to get some feedback at removing a catheter at home. I’m consider IRE treatment out of state. The norm is to have the catheter for 5 days after treatment. The Urologist said that I could travel home the day after treatment and remove the catheter myself after 5 days. Has anyone removed theirs and if so is it easily tolerated?
That is funny 🙂
I found the design of the bags that I bought easier to drain.
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3 ReactionsI had mine for a week and just put it in a plastic shopping bag and went about my business. Funny story, when I went in for my removal a week later the weigh in nurse asked if I could give a specimen, I grinned and held up the bag and told her she could have all she wanted. I was grinning she was rolling her eyes. Oh well I thought it was funny.
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3 ReactionsBased on what my urologist has told me and my own reserach, a certain level of incontinence is to be expected after the cathether is removed. I also understand the extent and duration widely varies from person to person depending on my factors including pelvic exercises. While hoping for the best, I am preparing for any scenario and have already purchased pullups and male incontinence guards. I also ordered the Janibell incontinacne disposal unit to be placed in my bathroom for storing used items in an airtight and sanitary manner. I will get a small one for my upstairs bathroom.
I believe it is better to prepare ahead of the surgery, so I can focus 100% on the recovery post-surgery.
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1 ReactionMy tube was taken on 22 easily by a nurse. Now everything is fine. Some
lack of control in retaining urine is there. Over time it may be regained
depending on individual and exercises.
With Regards,
Joseph T J.
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2 ReactionsYes, I think it might be more hygienic just to dispose them. I bought big (night) bags.
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2 ReactionsThat is interesting. I did not think of buying cathether bags. Did you buy the leg bag or the night bag? And why do you believe it will be useful to buy them? What is the beneift? To dispose of them instead of cleaning them?
Yes, I got that idea myself and bough couple on Amazon and will bring one to the hospital to compare and see if I have any questions for a nurse (in case that they are different).
The catheter is a pain in the butt, but easily handled. My only suggestion is to go online and get a better leg bag than the hospital will give you. I bought a couple and rather than clean the bags, I just threw them out.
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