Ian.
Take a dressing gown , you may be sitting around waiting for your surgery.
I wore snug but not tight elasticated short type underwear, it stopped the catheter from moving around to much, I also had a pad in my underwear to pick up any bypassing of urine.
Just in case the catheter makes the eye of the penis sore, instilagel or hydrocaine are available from a pharmacist without prescription at most chemists except Boots, who require a prescription. The above gels are designed for catheter insertion and maintenance they contain , anesthetic, antiseptic and lubrication. The hospital may give you some, it is a couple of pounds a syringe, you may not need it. Slight leaking of urine and blood from the penis can happen even with a catheter in, particularly when passing a motion.
Most important tip ,Get a packet of your favourite biscuits for a midnight snack in hospital.
A bucket is often suggested, but medical advice is that the catheter should be supported not just left in the bottom of the bucket. I have never had a night bag leak, but did once disconnect the night bag before turning the leg bag tap off. Get an extra thigh strap from the hospital, attach the night bag tube to the leg bag outlet then attach the night bag tube to your ankle with the strap, it helps reduce the risk of pulling on the joints. PJ bottoms also help save any tangles.
Hospital should provide ear plugs and eye mask.A ward can be very noisy at night. The guy opposite me had the noisiest carry bag in the world.
Try to avoid constipation
The following conversations has lots of ideas.
https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29021-Practical-preparation-for-surgery#post278042
https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t29907-RP-surgery-tomorrow#post287726
Thanks Chris
Edited by member 20 Feb 2025 at 22:02
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