Question about the Foley Catheter

Not to worry Brian. And this comes from a guy who has had to insert a portable cath. 4 or 5 times a day for months. My problems came from complications of surgery for prostate cancer. It wasn't a cancer issue but rather a healing issue. Anyway I fretted as much as anyone over the cathater issue. Even had bad dreams about it. Now I just think about how big of a ***** I was. I've been cancer free now for almost 6 years; thanks be to God. Brian, don't waste anymore time worrying about the cathater; you'll feel foolish later if you do.

It's not a big deal. If you're still uptight about it, ask anyone who listens to lube it extra well before it goes in. Mine was not, and it burned coming out and the first time I peed afterwards. Properly lubed, you don't feel much at all. The big shock was when they pulled my abdominal drain. That wasn't painful, but it did feel like my guts were being sucked out my navel. More surprise than anything else.

Gotta admit this was one of my biggest concerns before surgery, but in reality it wasn’t that big a deal. Like everyone else, mine went in while I was under anesthetic and when they got ready to take it out I was still hooked up to the morphine drip, so I hit the button about five minutes before...just to be safe. One deep breath and it was all over with only a slightly "weird" feeling but no pain.

Yeah this is one of my fears too. Thanks for posting!  How big is the tube anyway guys??  God didn't bless me with very much and I don't imagine it's gonna stand at attention for the procedure!

A common drinking straw is bigger in diameter than the catheter tube. I know there's a wide variation in straws; the point is that unless you have a freakishly narrow urethra, it's not a force fit.

You know I got to thinking if women can do it surely it's got to be easier for me.  Their openings are smaller than mine so I think I'll be fine. :)

 On a related note (now that Chris has brought it up) ..  I never realized until the other day that women can actually direct their urine stream with their fingers like we can ..  I found that out when running across an article on female urinals --  something that is currently in the works with plumbing engineers for commercial applications (no more having them run into our restrooms at crowded stadiums, etc.!) ..   Seems women can "stand and deliver" just like a guy in front of one, esp. if they are under 30 y.o.  (something makes it more difficult for women over that age to do the same trick, apparently) ..  Not believing this (of course), I did a bit more research and even ran across a few candid shots of (desperate?) women doing that in men's rooms around the world ..   < CLUNK >  &8- O   (next we'll probably have unisexual public restrooms - how would you react to taking a leak next to a gal doing the same?)

This topic never fails to get plenty of responses on the board! As has been well covered, it usually goes in while you are off in la-la land of anesthesia.  SO, no worries.  When it comes out, you are usually still somewhat stoned from the pain meds so you aren't fully aware of what's going on.  For me, it was kind of a bizarre experience that made me feel as if I was ******g on myself but that was about it.  The first couple of leaks afterwards felt strange, but nothing that I would go back and do all over again. For all the guys that have posted about having to self cath for various reasons.........you da man!!!! I don't kow that I could purposely cram anything in there myself!!!

brian, this topic always gets a response. why? because i bet most of us fear this more than the surgery. i was one who never had one either. i was unlucky, i had a male nurse take it out. although i like him i would rather it had been the jamacian nurse who sponged bathed me take it out!

well, you asked so i'll tell. for me, this is my standard reply. it felt like my gardner trying to start his crappy lawnmower. he yanked on that thing like he was pulling the flywheel and there was a bad spark plug that wouldn't fire. i thought for sure my dick was attached to the end of it when it went flying across the room. ok, it stung and hurt for a while but it was over in a second. the pain lasted a while but you know what? so what. after what i just went through it was the least of my worries. now two things. keep your foot on the med button. i didn't use pain meds because it made me sick but others say to take a jolt before it comes out. second, make sure that ballon is delfated all the way. i don't think mine was hence the pain. ok, real story. so remember, it only hurts, if at all, for a second. you'll live. trust me! carbonblob

Personally this wasnt the greatest feeling in the world. My nurse took mine out in recovery before I went up into my room. All she said was, Take a deep breath and then she yanked it out. Some pain but nothing I would want to do again. The next 2 times I took **** it felt like fire but after that it was all good.