Hospital advice for surgery please

[felizdia]

I am going in for a hip replacement surgery next week but I’m a real prude and too scared to ask how I go for a pee after surgery. I won’t be able to get out of bed. Also, as it is a private hospital (insurance) will i def get my own room?
Any hospital staff who can put my mind at ease would be great, thanks.

These are questions you need to ask. You should be given ample opportunity to do so too.

It's very likely you'll be catheterised initially (a tube goes into your urethra and drains urine directly from the bladder to a bag attached to the bed). Once this is removed you will need to use a bedpan under your bottom until you can be helped from the bed to a commode next to you or to walk or be wheeled out to the toilet.

You need to ask questions from your hcp. How long will you have a catheter for? How long will you be in bed? When do they plan to get you up and out of bed and when might you be more mobile. How long will you be in hospital for and what will be the criteria for discharge.

contrary to op’s advice, it’s actually uncommon to catheterise people having a hip replacement. You may need a bed pan for a little while after while the spinal wears off/before the physios get to you. After that using a commode/going to the bathroom should be straightforward (most people are out of bed pretty quickly these days too). Occasionally people develop urinary retention post-op and need a catheter, but that’s more common with older gents than women (assuming you’re in the usual MN demographic). HTH.

pp’s advice, not op’s

Happy to be corrected!

I've had both hips replaced. After both ops, I was briefly catheterised, but they will want to get you up and walking as soon as possible - on a frame at first, then crutches. I was up and moving within 24 hours of both operations. It feels quite scary at first but try to trust them - they know what they're doing!

Do ask them, @felizdia . Any question you may have, however embarrassing it is for you, will be one they have heard before, and if you share with them what is bothering you most then you are helping them to care for you the best way possible for you personally.

Also, the relief from pain and increase in stability is pretty much immediate, so focus on that. Good luck!

Thank you everyone x