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Will I need a catheter?

10 replies

HatesHospitals · 04/05/2012 15:09

Name says it all, in particular I have an absolute horror of needing a catheter. I'm having some cysts removed and there's one that's in a tricky place meaning the surgery will take 6 hours. Will I need one? Never thought to ask at my last appointment.

OP posts:
HatesHospitals · 04/05/2012 15:12

Just to add, the cysts are nowhere near the nether regions.

OP posts:
Methe · 04/05/2012 15:14

I'm not sure to you will need one but I thought I'd pop in an say that ime catheters are completely painless when in and feel a weird weird when being removed. The thought is a lot worse than the reality :)

Hope your surgery goes well.

1950sHousewife · 04/05/2012 15:16

HatesHospitals

Don't fear the catheter. I've had two (for CS) and they are surprisingly delightful! They don't hurt, it means you don't have to shift out of bed to go to the loo when you are aching and visitors don't realise you have them in. Honestly, I dreaded having one in, but I dreaded it more when it came out because then I'd have to drag my sore body to the loo and the breakfast queue.

faffmaff · 04/05/2012 15:17

Please don't worry too much, catheters aren't nearly as bad as you'd imagine. I've always dreaded the idea but had one after DS was born and I really didn't feel it.

Was no bother coming our either. I regularly say I'm going to get one again for camping trips, and I ruddy would.

thefirstmrsrochester · 04/05/2012 15:18

I would have thought so - taking into account pre-op, the six hrs under, them recovery, you most likely won't be able to nip to the loo. I had catheters twice - once whilst having ds2 and once for cyst surgery - was a gynae op tho. The catheter didnt bother me in the least. Couldn't feel it.

thefirstmrsrochester · 04/05/2012 15:21

In fact, after ds2 was born, the midwife said 'I'm going to remove your catheter now' and I was Confused as I had zero recollection of it being put in. Removal was completely painless too.

piprabbit · 04/05/2012 15:24

Catheters are a godsend.

scaredandtired · 04/05/2012 18:03

They are sore going in if you are fully conscious and aware - but then, I imagine you'll have it put in whilst under so won't feel that. I was hanging onto the bed rails biting down on a bit of tissue, but then I was in acute urine retention with a significantly narrowed, scarred spasming urthera and in a lot of pain anyway.. Was a nightmare as had my knees under my chin, doctor forcing the tube up me and telling me to push down and calm down, and a cleaner stuck her head in the room halfway through!!

While it's in you shouldn't be too bothered by it, just remember to keep a hold off it if it's on a short lead and you move (they sometimes give long leads so you can move freely at nighttime) - I was showering with a particularly short lead and full bag, dropped the bag and oh the pain!

Can sometimes annoy while it's in - I did feel at nighttime a constant need to wee, but codeine helped (as will tiredness from surgery), relaxing your urethra will help (feels like you are weeing but you aren't). Having one in whilst sitting might feel funny too at first, especially if in a wheelchair etc where the wheels might bump into hard surfaces, but again not too painful as such. More of a weird feeling.

Coming out is a doddle, they just ask you to breathe out, they deflate the balloon thing that holds it in your bladder, and the tube slides out, no pain really :) Just remember to drink lots of fluids after!

Best of luck x

HatesHospitals · 05/05/2012 07:50

Thank you everyone, some great advice here. I will try to think positive! That's a good point I suppose, about not having to get out of bed. I think it's the thought of it being put in that is the worst aspect. Not keen on being messed about with in that vicinity. Even after 3 kids.

So - with visitors, can they not see it then - where does the bag go - under the covers?

Grin re camping trips!!

OP posts:
Iteotwawki · 05/05/2012 09:02

For a 6h op you should have a catheter in but it should go in once you're asleep - no reason to put it in awake that I can think of.

Depending on where your cysts are it may be removed again at the end (before you wake up) or it may be left in overnight to remove the need to get out of bed to wee, or to stop you having to be rolled on and off a pan.

The bag normally hangs on a hook from one of the sides of the bed. Visitors might be able to see the bag and a bit of tubing but most of the tubing is under the sheets.

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