Question about the Foley Catheter

nothing to it...hardly felt it at all. I had a hard time (no pun intended) taking a whiz for a little while afterwards though. It's when they stick one of those little camera's up the ole' shank to check out the kidney stones I had. The best thing to do is hold the doctors nut's in your hand and tell him ..."if it hurt's I'm going to make putty out of your stones". I bet he will be real gentle with you.   ;o) Dave

They take it out after your surgery.  Exactly when probably depends on the hospital's procedures, but it shouldn't stay in more than a day or so afterwards.  Since I had to go BACK to the OR 2 days after my RNY for an exploratory laparotomy due to some blood loss, I ended up having the catheter inserted and removed twice.  (Of course, I would under anesthesia both times when it was inserted.) Removing the catheter really didn't hurt.  When they deflated the balloon (which locks the catheter in place within the bladder, preventing it from slipping out), it felt really weird for less than a second, as if I were feeling something in a place I had no business feeling it!  Right after that, the (male) nurse--at least I felt that he had some understanding of what was happening--told me to breathe deeply and then exhale all at once.  While I was busy with that, he pulled out the catheter before I could even notice. I have to admit that my first **** after the catheter was removed was both satisfying and relieving, because if I had been unable to **** (as sometimes rarely happens), they'd have had to reinsert one WHILE I WAS STILL AWAKE!!!!!  GAAAHHH!!!! /Steve

I thought I read an article saying that insurance was going to stop covering a lot of cather use, because they were being put in so unsystematically. When it comes down to actual use of the devices, it's supposedly being done (not done) totally randomly.

So maybe you won't have to have one. If you do, have them take it out as soon as possible after surgery. After internal hernia surgery, it was out in about 2 hours, while I was still "not feeling any pain". That's the way to do it. That or, none at all of course!

So they put the Catheter in on every surgery? Cause the nurse made it sound like they don't have to do it to everyone.

I had lap band surgery and dident have one .     Nick

I would love to go into an operation without a catheter!!  I have had 3 operations and twice I couldn't pee afterwards and they had to reinsert it back when I was awake!!  After RNY I had to go home for a week with the catheter and a urine bag.  I am a rare exception to the rule.  A very very rare exception, but it does happen, if you are unable to pee on your own.  Sorry, just don't want to sugar coat this stuff.  For 99% of the guys no problems.  There is the maybe 1-5% that could have problems in that area.  I really don't know the numbers.  But it really is one of the areas of least concerned...The truth, from someone who has been there...Brian 

Brian,

That reminds me. Another reason insurance is cutting back on cath coverage is because they can cause urinary tract problems.

Dave

When I realized I had to have a catheter I almost cancelled everything! LOL. I can't say that it hurt when coming our, but it didn't feel good at all. It comes out quick, but not something I want to experience again.

In my college days I was a nurses aide at a stage 3 nursing home, and I inserted a lot catheters. I can tell you that there is no fun in trying to put a tube in a wrinkled old guy. Still, I think it is better to give than receive. Joe

Due to spinal issues and other medical problems, i have alot of experience in this area.  I had to self cath for a while a few years ago and i could do it with little discomfort.   (urologist wants me to do it once a day now)  Of course nerve damage left a little feeling lose in that region so that helps me.  Its no big deal.  Things like that i just keep saying to myself, "gotta do it, gotta do it" and before anything its over. Jim D