WLS and catheters?

When having WLS do they put a catheter in you so you will be able to pee? If so, do they do it while you are asleep or what? I've heard that alone is painful!!!! Did they do it to you????

Hi Richmond girl, i was asleep when they put mine in and wheni came out of surgery they took it out,believe me they do as much as they can to prevent the pain,i am a big baby and they put my iv in after they gave me some liquid sedation medicine,but you no write down all your questions and ask the doc,because all doc are diff........ vickie

Hey Richmond Girlie, I too had mine put in when I was asleep and mine was taken out when I was waking up I don't even remember it. As far as pain goes mine was so well controlled it didn't seem that bad. I didn't use any pain medication after the first day. The biggest complain was nausea and some medication in my IV took care of that. I came home on a Wednesday and I didn't take any pain medication at home. I was driving my kids to school on Monday. Yea I was really sore but walking and moving helped that more than sitting still. I was most uncomfortable at night. Don't let all the stories scare you. Some people have a terrible experiences with pain and others not much. It just depends on the individual. Pain or no pain I am so happy I had it done and I would do it again in a heart beat. Jane

Every surgery I've ever had (except the WLS) the catheter was put in while I was asleep and taken out before I woke up. With the WLS, the catheter was put in after I was asleep but I had to keep it in until the next day. It wasn't so bad. I walked the halls with my little "pee bag" hanging from my IV pole. It was a little uncomfortable to sit on it unless it was positioned just right. It didn't hurt at all for the nurse to remove it -- I promise -- no pain at all. I just felt relief to be rid of it.

Hi Richmond Girlie, Mine was put in after I was asleep, and removed the next morning...No pain at all when it was removed...just felt a little wierd...Don't worry about that at all...It's really not bad... Amy

Hey girlie, The cath should not hurt you at all mine was taken out the next day and I was fine. I am the biggest baby and mine didn't bother me at all. Don't worry it will be fine.

from the male perspective this is the one thing about surgery that scares me. i have read a few horror stories of some guys in the lockerroom here who had a nurse trip over the extra length of the tube and it got yanked out of the "member" that frightens the you know what out of me.

I haven't had WLS yet, but I've had 4 back surgeries, hysterectomy, and breast reduction all done since 1996, and had the cath everytime, but it never bothered me, they were all put in after I was asleep and taken out either the next day or two, One I had it in for 3 days, but everything from nerve damage was numb and I never felt it. I kicked it over and over. But most of the time I ask that it be taken out as soon as possible, even the same day so I can be comfortable walking. Good luck and I'm still waiting on a consult for surgery. If anyone knows of a siminar close to Henderson Ky could you please write and let me know. Thanks Lid

hi there lydia. I googled henderson as I wasn't sure where it was. after looking at the map I see that your not that close to either Louisville or paducha, your kind of inbetween. But I did notice that Evansville is across the river from you. DR. Throop and a Dr. Burry have practices there you might want to check on the Indiana board for recommendations on these two. That is unless you want to travel to Louisville, I have heard many good things about Dr. Shina.