underwear for catheter

Good luck, hope all goes well for you.

I found boxer shorts and joggers most comfortable , had Cather in for 3wks 

I found putting underwear on/off was more painful to the surrounding areas, therefore I just wore joggers whilst the catheter was in. You will get to know what's comfortable fairly soon after the op.

Good luck with your recovery!

Amnon 

As already said snug but not tight fitting trunk type underwear. Hospitals will frequently give you what they have. If you can get a couple of different tube lengths then great. Make sure you get some instilagel or hydrocaine for the eye of the penis. Some hospitals are now fitting patients with a statlock adhesive thigh catheter fixation device instead of thigh straps or G straps.

If you get thigh straps get a couple of spare ones. Useful for showering, drain the leg bag remove all straps except the thigh strap, shower, dry and then put a dry strap on the other leg and transfer the catheter to the dry strap. Put the wet strap to dry for the next shower. If you have a statlock , drain the bag make sure the statlock is supporting the catheter, remove the leg straps, shower, dry and then refit the straps. The statlock will last at least seven days and should be changed as recommended, normally 5-7 days. Uri sleeves are also good for supporting the leg bag in conjunction with a bag strap. At night attach the night bag to the drain spout of the leg bag, I use a thigh strap around me ankle to secure the night bag tube. The night bag should be supported and not left on the floor, a stand inside a bowl or bucket is a good idea in unlikely event of a leak. Change the bags as recommended by your team,  normally 5-7 days. Do not disconnect and reconnect the leg bag unless you are changing it, any item disconnected should be replaced with new, except for drain able night bags that can be reused for 7 days in the home environment. You may have to fit a new leg bag after 5-7 days, make sure the bag to catheter connection is tight after it is changed, then recheck it after a few hours. Nothing worse than waking up in a wet bed.

All the daily catheter connections etc are best carried out by your OH while you my back and watch. Make sure taps are opened and more importantly closed in the right sequence.

You may get bypassing where urine and blood come out between the catheter and the eye of the penis, can be uncomfortable but quite common. I was always told Rosé colour urine I'd okay Red wine colour needs checking out.

Make the most of no night time visits to the toilet.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks Chris.

Edited by member 25 Jan 2020 at 07:35  | Reason: Spelling

Ones I got from Preston hospital, the night bag attaches to the valve of the leg bag down at the ankle, you'll maybe get the same so no need for holes cutting. 

Amnon

Re PJs, put you PJs on before attaching the night bag pull the leg up and the attach the night bag. Having the tube down the leg will help stop tangles. Depending on the leg bag tube length the leg bag spout could be anywhere from your knee to your ankle. Good point about bending. The spout should not come off the leg bag. I did not get the home set up until an hour or so before discharge so no chance to practice. Instilagel is about £2 for a small syringe, from most chemists, hospital may provide it. If you are sore when you come round ask for instilagel, the nurse will squirt a good dose down the penis, not as bad as it sounds. To keep your shoes and socks dry put something round the tap to avoid accidentally opening the tap an elastic band or cut down velcro bag strap. 

First time with a catheter can be daunting and you will be naturally cautious, but they are robust. Accidentally pulling the catheter will get your attention. 

Empty your leg bag when it around half full. Night bags normally hold 2 litres so at night your leg bag is normally empty.

Don't get constipation passing a hard motion past you newly stitched urethra is not the best thing to do.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 25 Jan 2020 at 11:00  | Reason: Not specified