Early days after surgery. Some questions

Just take it easy and comply with the instructions from the hospital!

Oh and have lots of sex  it before the op cos it aint gonna be the same after!

As the surgeon has stitched his urethra onto his bladder it's better to take it easy and not do anything to strain it.  Using the stitches on his stomach as a guide to how healing is going.

Having a catheter allows experiences you don't normally get.  You don't go to the loo, you do it when needed.  Even when sitting in a neighbours having a cup of tea.  I haven't told any of the neighbours so it seemed a bit amusing to me.

Going out for a walk just after removal of the catheter I thought I was doing well till there was a very wet feeling down my leg.  You don't realise you leak while walking in the early days.  I hadn't got a spare pad so we put a plastic bag on the car seat and went home.  My wife did the driving for a few weeks.  

There was never any leaking at night.  The leaking started later and later in the day till it went away and it went quite suddenly leaving me with a lot of pads.

Continence was the biggest thing and after 6 months was very good.  Although after two years and eight months ED is improving but not over clever.

Me and my wife don't talk much about it and I live as if it didn't happen, and have told no-one.

Would recommend getting hold of some Laxido and start taking straight after the operation. Better to take it before feeling constipated and be prepared for it to take a few days before his bowels settle down.

The nursing staff stressed the importance of being mobile after the op. Walk a little every day, and every day try to walk a little further. First few days was just walking around the house, but it's worth it.

I found a (sensible) combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen sufficient to control the pain/discomfort. But be prepared for some discomfort in the stomach and shoulders - something to do with pumping the stomach full of gas.

Showering was fine, but of a faff with the bag but ok if you fit a hook to hang it off.

For me it’s now been 10 months since surgery. So far all good and now starting to really focus on the ED stuff. The support from my local NHS has been fantastic.

What can you do for your husband. Be patient. My wife has been great. The actual physical recovery for me was quick I had robotic surgery - 3 to 4 weeks later no discomfort and no pads. But for me, the mental side of having cancer and loosing my manhood made be nervous and uncertain - especially during that initial period where you don’t do much. Gentle walks during this period with my wife was excellent therapy. I had more challenges with the mental side than the physical stuff. For instance I didn’t know how this was going to effect me. I am also the sort of guy that doesn’t talk about my ‘private’ bits and certainly not public discussions on getting an erection. So for the wife or partner my advice is to be conscious of this change and be a good listener above all. The notion I may not have a proper erection again nags at me. I now have a ED pump still very early days with this. My wife supported my decisions around ED and didn’t nag me. She attended all my appointments with me and helped by asking good questions or reminding me of questions I forgot. But she was never over bearing. I respected her for that and that made me feel better. A win for everyone!!!

And finally guys be patient with your wives. They’re only trying to help. I reckon (for me) a happy wife is a happy recovery.

hi

all the very best.   hopefully he's up and about and not in bed during day.  Do keep hydrated , water is ideal. ie not excessive caffeine, co2, alcohol. 

also laxative , I took no pain relief as didn't need it . worse experience was constipation. 

Do keep  wounds, dressings ? dry.   yes although I was actually quite mobile, I moved incredibly slowly for 2 or 3 days.  it's getting up and down was the most awkward. I sat on a cushion  on a high kitchen stool rather than low down in a sofa.

I'm sure you are doing well,  you will soon find things improve dramatically ..  especially when catheter is removed.  

finally.   urine colour should .. be like white wine.. 😀 a good indicator that throughput is ok.   again it depends on how hot and exercise he's doing.

there's should not be much leakage or anything around catheter..  the tubes. ensure at night they are free and urine can flow easily..     I remember one night my night bag was completely full when we woke up and when emptied the ordinary bag soon filled.. so obviously my bladder was filling also.  

I can't think of much else or tips.   I had no swelling other than belly which was distended for 2 weeks and a few bruises appeared on back and side of thigh. I assume from moving me in/on operating table.   

Bending to get socks on took me a while.. 

Gordon

Hi Waffles, I had my surgery in March 2018 all I can remember about the catheter was it was a little uncomfortable at first but I gradually got used to it. However you need to get his bowel moving he dosen't need constipation as this will put a strain on his already sore stomach, also straining to go can cause issues with the catheter. As for the gas thing that will ease after a few days especially with gentle walking etc. He must not lift or carry anything heavier than a cup of tea for about six weeks and should not try driving for at least four. All I can tell you is it all gets better with time just don't let him force himself to get better just help him especially mentally as the mental healing can be just as bad as the physical.

Best wishes to both of you

I would suggest that he should already be taking laxatives. I was given some in hospital. Lactulose for more liquid motions and Senokot senna tablets for moving it forward. The hospital prescription was 20ml Lactulose morning and evening, and 2 tablets just before bedtime. I am now 12 weeks after the operation and still suffer from constipation- I didn’t before. Initially it got better, then it was terrible so back on the laxatives. My current balance is 5ml morning and evening and1 tablet at nighttime. This after some experimentation. Initially you won’t want to stray too far from a toilet in the morning until you find how your body reacts. Everybody is different.

I am still fairly incontinent, but am learning to cope with it. Sitting and lying down is fine, but standing or walking is just constant dribbling. I am drinking a pint of water at each meal time. I was leaking fairly heavily down the side of the catheter before it was removed.

Good luck!

Do persist with the stool-softening drinks such as Fybogel, together with laxatives, and as his GP says, no doubt things will resolve sooner rather than later.

Best wishes.

Cheers, John.

??

We decided to change the catheter bags a day earlier and this seems to have done the trick 

??

what do you mean by this ? 

can you clarify ?

I just connected night bag about 9pm.   only one morning had the whole lot filled up to capacity. 

if  I remember correctly the 500ml ?  leg bag was always  in circuit.  ie I linked the night bag.  probably 2000ml at least to the end of it.

I kept the small bag with a few ml. left in after opening and perfectly clean tap/hands etc to ensure no bacteria could go 'back up into bladder'.  probably a bit overkill..    

Edited by member 09 Aug 2019 at 23:38  | Reason: Not specified

This sounds like the bacteria Serratia marcescens.

It's a common UTI bacteria and can grow in catheters/bags. You should ask if he should be given an antibiotic to target Serratia marcescens (it's often resistant to many standard antibiotics). May need better sterile handling of bags/tubes too.

It's also the pink or orange staining you often find around baths and showers - it can grow in soap residues.

Hardly leaked at night, and got rid of the waterproof mattress cover after a couple of weeks as it wasn't' necessary.  The Tena pants were enough to deal with any problems.

laughing, coughing and sneezing just aren't the same any more