Just for anyone else afraid of catherter removal. I was dreading it. It was 1 week post op and I couldn't imagine the new joint (anastomosis) being healed in that time. The district nurse arrived to my house and I said "the only way this is happening is if I pull it out myself" I just wanted to be in control if there was any pain or resistance. She didn't even object. She deflated the balloon and I just slowly pulled it out. There was no resistance or pain what so ever. If I'd have been stood up it would have fallen out on it's own. Since then I have had another due to dilation for a stricture and did exactly the same with a different nurse.
Since then I self catheterisation regularly to keep the stricture open. Although I struggled to get them in at first now it is no problem. Its all about relaxing inside correctly.
Cheers
Bill