Upcoming radical prostatectomy
I am due to have a radical prostatectomy in early September. Can anyone give me guidance on what the best "men's diapers" are for the first weeks after catheter removal. My search shows so many options and I was wondering what most men find work the best. I appreciate any advice.
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My winning combination after my catheter was removed was a Depends pull-up fitted with a Kroger (generic) brand heavy pad. I’d go through one pull-up a day and any number of pads, depending on how I was doing.
Eventually, I was able to switch to a medium-weight Tena pad worn inside my own briefs, no pull-ups required. Nowadays, as I continue to (slowly) improve, I’m at a very thin Depends shield for the first part of the day, then I finish out with the Tena pads - I’m at one shield and two pads a day now, worn from around 8AM to around 10:30PM, and as long as I avoid bladder irritants, I leak less than 100ml a day.
In brief (no pun intended), I am not sure that there is a lot of difference between the various jockey short briefs, so any brand will do: Depends, Tena, etc. But that is what I recommend. There is a progression (usually), from full jockey-style briefs/underwear diapers, to "pads" worn in briefs or boxer briefs, then finally "Shields"...the thinnest pads used several months post-surgery, to catch the little leaks and squirts that will occur. I started wearing the Shields at around 6 months or so. At 17 months post-op, I still use a Shield "just in case." I am 98-99% continent, but if I drink too much or forget to go to the bathroom every two hours whether I need to or not, I will then stand the highest chance of a leks or squirt - mostly while sitting down into my car or a chair, or squatting to pick something up. Do remember that for the first 10-14 days you will have a catheter. So...that will require wearing loose-fitting boxers, or going commando under some out shorts or pants.
I am not sure what your employment situation is - "retired" or "working", but you will be off work recovery for what is likely that entire 10-14 days. Some men here on this blog, speak of having returned to work within a few days post-surgery. I think that is ultra-rare and job dependent. If you are having the single-incision, DaVinci radical prostatectomy, you will not be able to return to any "routine"...work or otherwise, especially if your work is physical involving lifting/moving heavy objects, etc.. Your surgical wound and the trauma/pain to your body will "INSTANTLY" stop you. I personally felt "very deep" pain...like I had been pummeled and assaulted below my navel. I felt that for 3-4 weeks minimum. In the weeks after surgery, I was slowly moving around my house from one place to another to "sit", "recline", or "lay down" for the first week or two. Your doctor will tell you not to drive as well, because of the likely need to suddenly move your lower body to hit the brakes. Also, the subtle twisting of your torso and body getting into and out of a car will limit you. All of those little things that we take for granted, will become pain-limiting priorities in your post-surgical weeks.
In either case, something required me to leave my house a couple times while I still had the catheter in. You will receive two catheter bags: 1 big one for sitting around your house and sleeping, and 1 small leg-strap-on that is for short duration errands or going to work if you must. That small strap-on bag fills rather quickly, in about 2 hours "give or take". If you are feeling well enough to return to your desk job, you will be lifting your pant leg to see how full the bag is. You will of course "feel" the weight of the filling bag on your lower leg where it is strapped. You'll be going to the bathroom more often than you likely did before the surgery, to empty your catheter bag. I had an extra pair of socks in my car in case I had a leak from the small leg strap-on bag. It fortunately never happened, but that could be a messy, uncomfortable, and "wet" experience if it leaked. You would likely feel it right away though.
If you work from home, or can get your boss to "allow" you to work from home under the circumstances, you'll be better off. These days, employers can tell when you are logged into the work system and are actively working on your computer, so if they are so inclined, they can monitor your "remote presence" online to affirm that you are actually working. If you feel that you can't work, remember that the State in which you live has a State Disability program that kicks in usually after 5-7 days of consecutive days of absence. Your wages will be less, but depending on the state, you may be able to augment your income to "full income" by using some accumulated PTO/vacation time if needed. I was fortunately retired, so none of that came into play for me. Good luck to you. Let us know how everything went as an add-on message to this original message.
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The single incision RP sure sounds like it causes a lot more problems than the multi incision RP. I had five openings for my RP, but they healed very quickly since they were so small. I barely noticed them, and I don’t think I could find the scars if I tried. Definitely sounds like you need to take a couple of weeks if you have that large single incision prostatectomy. I have a read that they can do Retzius-sparing surgery with either one or multiple openings.
I did go to three clients offices, four days after surgery and do work on their computers, but that just involves sitting in front of a computer and typing some things. Not very stressful. When I went back to work full-time seven days after surgery, I didn’t lift anything for a couple of weeks, I usually didn’t have to lift much stuff, Maybe a computers to replace it, but they are not real heavy pieces of equipment.
I had the catheter for 14 days, All my clients had small private bathrooms, Didn’t need to empty the bag very often. Never got my socks, wet, Didn’t even think of bringing an extra pair. My clients had no idea I had just had surgery. I didn’t think it necessary to discuss it.
Interesting how varied different peoples recovery is after a prostatectomy.
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1 Reaction@rlpostrp Thank you so much for your reply. I think this will really help me.
Mike