Question:
Do you have to have a catheter?
I mean, can you request to not have one? It really freaks me out and the idea makes me uncomfortable. You need to get up and get moving anyway, right? — [Anonymous] (posted on November 12, 2001)
November 11, 2001
I had to have one for two days after surgery. For some reason my body
wouldn't "wake up" and it was the only reason to relieve my full
bladder. I had never had one before so I was scared, but it really wasn't
a big deal. I got up and walked just the same. Once my body started going
on it's own I didn't need it. My best friend had surgery the same day as
me and never needed one. It just depends on the circumstances. Honestly
it didn't hurt a bit. It was actually a big relief!! Good luck!
— Jen S.
November 11, 2001
My surgery was on a Friday. I was up and walking within 8 hours of the
surgery. My bladder just would not cooperate. I would try and try to go
but nothing would come out. Finally in the middle of the night I asked the
nurse what we could do about it. I was very uncomfortable. She said she
could do a thing called "an in and out" where they put in the
catheter and drain the bladder. I had never had one before and I was
scared but I was so uncomfortable I said let's do it. The nurse was very
sweet about it and to tell you the truth it didn't hurt at all. Not going
in or coming out. And the relief was immediate. Whew! Then the next
morning my bladder started working correctly. Good luck to you and don't
be scared.
— MARSHA D.
November 11, 2001
Catheter is really no problem. It sounds uncomfortable but, I think the
part that makes it sound so bad is where it has to go. You will lose all
modesty once you are in the hospital. I was 476lbs coming out of surgery,
and the nurses had to wash me up. I was very uncomfortable about them
seeing me and doing what they had to do, but, if you want to be washed and
taken care of , you have to realize that they have seen it all and then
some.... the catheter does not hurt. If anything there is a slight burning
sensation and the feeling of having to pee. It doesn't HURT.. its not comfy
either. Relax, you will do great!!!
— Tina R.
November 11, 2001
They took mine out within a couple hours of arriving in my room after
surgery. Catheters are for your comfort, so you dont have to be getting up
for bathroom breaks. The best way to get it removed is by mooving and
walking to prove your feeling ok, and able to get around. Catheters
although uncomfortable arent painful and are at worst a nuisance.
Certinally nothing to be afraid of.
— bob-haller
November 11, 2001
I had my open RNY on Oct 16, and did NOT have a catheter. It was never
even mentioned. I liked getting up to use the restroom, because I used
this time to walk around the hospital as well. Discuss this with your dr.
Good luck!!
— skymaxjr
November 12, 2001
I had a Lap VBG on 8/20 and didn't have a cath. They said so long as I was
able to go, I didn't need one. Although, after surgery, it hurt so bad to
get out of bed, I was actually considering letting them give me one, but I
was fine. No extra tubes or anything, just my IV.
— Amy E.
November 12, 2001
Like you I hope I don't get a catheter!!! This brings back memories when I
had my last baby and the nurse was insisting I use a stupid bedpan. I
really tried to go but I couldn't. She told me either I use the bed pan or
get the catheter put in. I told her just let me get up and let me use the
bathroom and she said no!!! Saying I could lie and say I went. Boy o boy we
went around and around and finally I told her I am getting up and she
better stay out of my way because I REALLY HAD TO GO BAD!!!! Well I peed
like a russian race horse.For me it was a mental block to use the bed pan.
So when I get out of surgery I plan on trying to use the restroom first. Of
course, that depends of the pain meds Iam on too. If the pain is out of
this world I may not want to use the potty on my own.But I will deal with
it just like everybody else had to.My luck the pain might be very intense
and I would want to have a catheter!!! and they tell me oh no you have to
get up and use the bathroom!!! Well I will be finding out so enough. Good
Luck!!!
— Laura G.
November 14, 2001
Talk to your surgeon and nurse and maybe they won't give you one. I've had
two separate surgeries and catheters for both and can honestly say I didn't
feel either one. I remember my first surgery wondering to myself, why don't
I have to go to the bathroom? I even asked the nurse after the first day
and she laughed and held up the bag and said "You have been
going!" I didn't even know it! Couldn't feel a thing. When I had my
open RNY, I was REALLY glad I didn't have to get up to go to the bathroom
for the first two days (maybe it was only 1-1/2 days). Anyway, it hurt so
much to get up and pee, dragging the IV pole and tubes to the bathroom with
me that I wished they would have just left the catheter in!!!
— [Anonymous]
November 17, 2001
The catheter was already in me when I came out of surgery. I couldn't feel
it and had no idea it was even in. They removed it the next day and it
didn't hurt and only took about a minute. The hard part was getting up and
walking to the bathroom with the IV pole!! I would have preferred to leave
the catheter in.
— Patty H.
January 20, 2003
The catheter is put in, in surgery so you don't feel it. I was in the
hospital for 4 days and they took it out on the second. I wish they left it
in, it was such a pain to keep getting up to go. It was so much easier to
just sit there. I barely felt it when they removed it. No pain.
— Erin W.
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