49 - Gleason 7
robotic prostectomy 9 days ago
wanted to share my experience post catheter removal
First of all you just can’t tell what you will be like post surgery for continence and once that delightful tube is removed! So like most you do some reading, prepare for a scenario you are most comfortable with and plan.
I have several pairs of black joggers, max pads and two pairs of underpants with pads built in for when things improved.
I was ready!
everyone said a catheter removal wasn’t painful. Lies! It felt weird and hurt. Not sure if that balloon was fully deflated but when it came out it looked the size of a pea and certainly bigger than the tube! Ouch.
I’m I was then told I needed to pass urine 3 times and of all well could then go home. Advice was a glass of water per hour! Sod that. I was planning on a quick exit before someone had the bright idea to put the catheter back in. This was not going to happen!
so necked a coffee and about 3 glasses and felt my bladder was full. So here goes. I will stand up, go to bathroom and pee in the cardboard bottle they left. Boom. Easy! Surely this was a trick and I was missing something. This felt like old times. Called the nurse, more out than was left in. Winning for now.
more water… here comes wee number 2… this time I’ll try hold more in the bladder to see how this works now. After all, this is a new experience. Boom again got up, big wee and no dribbled or messing. More out than in and even complemented on the colour and clarity this time!
then told I don’t need a 3rd one and I can go home. I was expecting more drama, a level of incontinence I would work on for weeks and got nothing of the sort.
I think the pelvic floor for 3 weeks prior to surgery helped no end. I’m young (sort of) but stats don’t always show you the best view for your circumstances or age, fitness etc.
I came home in my special pants and not a dribble, despite speed bumps galore. My wife and I decided let’s stress test this more and we walked to the pub. All fine. Then a few ciders to really stress test it as a celebration… fine.
so, I’m a lucky one. The ones you don’t read about often but this is my story. From removal I was dry instantly and 100%. Even last night was as normal. All my planning and purchases were a waste of time but I had to plan as you just don’t know!
my advice to you all is do the pre work. Strengthen that pelvic floor before the op as I think this helps and continue afterwards.
you can be in the favourable groups and those with the best outcomes. It’s possible and don’t give up hope.
many more hurdles to come I know but phase 2 as I call it was a dream.
good luck