Cant urinate after surgery

[VioletSunset]

Hello everyone, i had surgery (to fix cystocele and rectocele) on Thursday and I haven't been able to urinate since. They sent me home on Thursday night with a catheter, and i went back on Friday morning and had it removed. By 3pm on Friday afternoon I still couldn't go even though i was bursting so I've had to have the catheter back in until Monday when i go back in. If i still cant wee after they take it out on Monday I could end up needing more surgery which I really don't want! I'm finding the catheter so uncomfortable :( Has anyone else had this happen to them?? Just looking for a handhold really

Yes. I tend to get this after gynae surgery - no idea why. (The most dramatic was two litres of urine.)
After my second prolapse surgery, I progressed from a bag to a tap. It's my boast I now know what it feels like to pee like a man!
That helped because I could choose to wee when my bladder got full.
I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble.
What surgery are they talking about? That was never mentioned for me, so it's new territory.
My problem was swelling-related.
It's scary I know, but it's early days yet.
Your vagina has taken a severe battering, so hopefully it will settle down.

Oh, and make sure you are resting - DO NOTHING apart from walk to your bed to the bathroom for a few days at the least.

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have a tap too, and a bag to attach at night. The further surgery may be to loosen off the sutures around my bladder but I'm hoping things are just swolen and will settle down! How long did it take you to be able to go after the catheter came out?

Yes defo had this after bladder surgery . I was actually constipated due to painkillers . Once that was sorted i weed ok

It took about four days in all.
Good luck!

I’ve had this dozens of times (unfortunately) . Have a long term bladder condition so now catheterise myself (much easier) .

Best tip - drink plenty of plain water, keep the tubes all flushed through .

It might help to not attach the catheter to a leg strap if possible, let it lie loosely on the sofa/bed . Pulls a hell of a lot less. Also wear pyjamas, loose trousers etc ... I remember the nurse telling me once you should be able to do anything with a catheter in situ including bungee jumping - and me turning to her and saying, but why the hell would you want to?

Usually these things resolve fairly quickly, every time I’ve been on a gynae or urology unit there’s been someone in the same boat - usually they’re told they’ll be fine within a few days .

I think because the whole area is swollen it makes every tug on the catheter tube very painful :( I'm just praying when they take it out on Monday i can urinate on my own, it was so frustrating sitting on the toilet feeling like I was desperate but unable to go!

This may sound daft but it does work. If your wash basin is close enough to the toilet ( while still sitting on the toilet ) turn the cold tap on , and put your hand in the cold running water.
It works for me.

I had this exact scenario after the same surgery. I was devastated by the thought of that being a perm feature of my life but after 2 weeks I had it removed again and all was well. I found having it flat on a chair next to the bed rather than hanging helped with the pain significantly.
Fingers crossed that the same happens to you and feel free to ask any more questions.

This must be so miserable for you, I hope all goes well on Monday. I second the idea of turning nearby taps on for the sound of running water.

For those saying run water - it's that you physically can't, although you'd love to be able to.
Sorry, but this is one of those situations where unless you've been there, you don't really know what it's like.

Thanks for the further advice everyone, it's
nice to know that others know what I'm going through

Just thought I would update, I have the catheter out and i am urinating fine! Thanks again everyone

Oh, I’m so pleased to hear that Violet, you will feel a thousand times better now! I hope you start to make a rapid recovery now.

What a relief for you! I remember the pleasure of needing a wee, going to the loo and actually having a wee. Brilliant stuff. Hope your recovery continues.

Thanks so much!

That's fabulous news! 😃