Question about surgery

I have heard some stories where people have had a urinary catheter during surgery and post-op. Is this true? Also, does every doctor require a mandatory poop your brains out prep for surgery? Thanks guys for answering my dumb questions! I can't wait to see y'all on Saturday! =) Kim

ive herd that urinary cath will be your best friend till the woulds start to heal... i think the mandatory poop is nessicary to clean your bowls... but then again i dunno

I just spoke with my surgeon today..(saw him in the hall at work) that was a topic of discussion. He has the foley removed while still in recovery. That way you have to get up and walk sooner.. As far as the bowel prep, it was part of my pre-op teaching eeeekk

I haven't heard about the catheter, but I'm right there with you on not looking forward to the bowel prep.

My surgeon requires a bowel prep. my friend said she was pooping right up till surgery time. Thank goodness, he does not use a catheter. Those things are just.....OUCH!

Kim, My cath was inserted while I was knocked out in surgery and then removed later that day when I was out of my "fog" and could go to the restroom on my own. As far as the bowel prep goes, I didnt have a big issue with this, but I really didnt eat a lot the day before I took it so I think that helped me a lot. I just made sure I didnt need to leave the house for most of the day. You will be just fine, it is a small part of the surgery process and sounds worse than it really is in reality.

My bowel prep was just some Milk of Magnesia the night before surgery. Since I was on a clear liquid diet the day before, there wasn't much to worry about anyway, you know? I had a catheter inserted during surgery and it was removed the morning after, but when I was brought to the floor from recovery, I still had to walk, dragging all my bags and baggage with me. Jan

Ok you have brought up one of my worries I have never had a catheter and yes they leave it in until the next day. Someone here said "ouch" and now you really have me worried. Does it really hurt? I keep thinking if I had natural childbirth 3 times and dealt with it, just how bad can it be? Elaine

I'm a "surgery veteran" as I posted on an earlier post, having so many, I have had a catheter or two...and I can tell ya, the most recent was Oct 3 of last year, I had an exploratory laparotomy, I didn't feel a thing. They put it in when you are under (YAAAAAAY!!!!) and remove it--as everyone else said-- when you are on the "happy pills". I didn't even feel them removing it! The only sucky part is that when you (in Flavia's words) "potty" for the first time after removal, it does sting just a little...but nothing to holler about.

Hi Kim, Believe me the cath is not bad, they insert it once you're under and remove it when you have those great drugs!!..That was my experience anyway!! Good Luck!! Linda