Silly, but still a legit concern....

....regardless of which surgery you choose, do you have to use a cathider, or are you able to get up to use a restroom. I had a cathider once, and once was one time too many, IMHO...anyone?

They automatically put a catheter in just before surgery, once you are asleep.. mine was taken out the next morning, and then I used the bathroom for my next 2 days in the hospital.

James, I had an RNY. I was given a urinary catheter in the OR after I was asleep. It was removed later that night at my request as I found it uncomfortable when I was walking. I had no problems peeing at all. RobinNJ

I guess it depends on the Dr. I had Rny on Oct 30th and my Hubby had it June 5th and neither one of us had one. Our Dr. does not do it to encourage the patients to get out of bed to use the rest room. He wanted us up and out of bed within two hours of the surgery. So no they do not have to use one. It is up to that particular Dr. I was so happy to not have one PHEW! Melissa

I did not have one when I came out of recovery - not sure if I had one through surgery or not. I was on bedrest for the day of surgery, however, and had to use a bedpan I would have rather been catheterized.

I did have one, they put it in after I was asleep and took it out within 12 hours after surgery, it made it too hard to get up and walk-so the nurse agreed to take it out. I was glad to have it for the first few hours though, so I didn't have to get up when I had to pee. Michelle

James, Great question and one I wish I had asked prior to surgery, though it would not have changed my mind having WLS... I think most wls proceedures require you to have the cathider, you are out cold when they insert it so you won't feel it till you wake up in recovery. It's in for about 24 hrs before removal... For me the cathider was the worst part of my sugical experience, about 16 hrs after removal my kidneys started to shut down from the pain meds and it had to be re-inserted, I ended up going home with the cathider stuck in me for the next 4 days. THIS WAS NOT FUN!!! Thankfully everything worked out in the end and all was well. I'm now 8 weeks post op and feeling pretty good. Moral to the story: Grin & bear it; the surgery's worth it and easy on your meds... Good luck, Art