Incontinence products questions: Pull-ups vs. diapers, pads and guards

I wore diapers and a tee shirt for my post op week of hell with a Cath and then for a full week after that. I stepped down to pads, and then the thinnest shield possible. One piece of advice, get the largest size bed pad. The small ones are useless.

When I was wearing pads I was unaware that the Front facing part of the pad has a small adhesive strip to attach to your underwear.

Some people have no incontinence. If you are one of the lucky ones, you will not need any of the products.

I wore a pull up (diaper, whatever you want to call them) over the catheter and kept a pad under me at all times until the catheter came out. I never needed the pad, but still glad I had it. Yes, get the largest ones you can buy.

After catheter came out, my routine was a diaper with a guard tucked (not taped) inside. I would then change out the guard throughout the day as needed. At night I would sleep only in a diaper. Then once per day I would put on a new diaper.

I tried skimping on products, but ended up using Depends for both diapers and guards. Walmart brand irritated my skin, but no problems once I started using Depends only. I did use Tena guards for a while, and they are a quality product too.

My routine has worked well for me. All a small price to pay to be cancer-free (from what I know, fingers crossed).

@jayhall That's super helpful to know about getting the largest size bed pad....I was trying to figure that one out. Seems like most are 30"x36". I was thinking the 36"x36" because I roll around.

Tena pads really are a good pick. Others in this forum have recommended them in the past. I was getting pads for free until January, Another Brand, Very thick pads. I could still go through one in two hours if I was really active. I find the Tena Pads last almost all day, most of the time. They hold a lot and don’t leak, Most of the time. Of course you do need to keep track of what’s going on and change them if they get full.

@fritzo yes the smaller pads tend to slip around under the sheet. I got a mattress protector then the largest pad. Although I am continent at night and have not needed it.

Good to be prepared either way! I was debating mattress protector....but with the bed pad, maybe I don't need it?

@jeff1963 That method of using a guard tucked into the diaper sounds similar to what PT Vanita Gaglani suggests in her book about becoming continent in 10 weeks. I was thinking I would follow her methods (big time avoiding bladder irritants, various exercises as you progress, retraining bladder methods including pad approach and more).

@jefecepyical it mentions on the packaging not to flush theff1963 yes I have tried many products and brands andget a trashdo not flush wipeshave not found any that e completely worked good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSZL1Z3X
I found this one working great (you will of course buy a size for the size of your bed). It stayed in place and pull-ups worked great for my husband - there was not a single leak , ever. There was no leaking during catheter phase either.

If you wonder about pull-up sizing, whatever you see on the "sizing chart", it is correct !

My husband had some incontinence post op so he was wearing pull-ups during night and pads during the day. Over time night pull-ups were substituted by pads and daytime pads by shields , and than nighttime required shields (just in case) and daytime nothing and about 4 and half months later he was fully continent. In all of that period though there was not a single accident where bed got wet, I mean there was never a single drop leaked , and I removed protective pad about 3 mos. post op.

Regarding brands - he used Depends pull-ups and Tena pads and shields. Tena has about 3 levels of absorbency for their pads - look it up on their website and Amazon has them. Stores did not have all absorbency levels (in our experience).

Thanks Surf! Super helpful info.

• Hadn't considered the washable version of bed pads....was thinking just of the disposable bed pads.
I might get some disposable bed pads....put one on my recliner and also if I end up staying at family member in Chicago the day I get out of the hospital (drive home is a few hours). I've also heard that some people who have continuing incontinence problems throw a disposable pad down on the hotel bed.
So, maybe I'll get that washable one for the home bed and a smaller quantity of the disposable pads ....and then hope I don't need them for long.

•Wow, great to hear about the pull-ups. I read that it's easier to change the tab version without taking off your pants...but guess it depends on how long you have to deal with total incontinence.

Thanks for all the info!