Question:
I know this seems crazy....however

I know you are supposed to be up and about with in 4 hours after your surgery. However, I am wondering how uncomfortable is that with the catheter.    — TRACEY W. (posted on April 9, 2003)


April 9, 2003
for me the catheter was fine except when it pulled a little, walking was fine with it, it is uncomfortable but not that bad
   — Tammy 'Buckley McCool

April 9, 2003
I was so drugged I didn't care WHAT tubes where in me. I was more concerned with the NG tube in my nose, but not everyone has that. The catheter didn't bother me at all, with any of the surgeries I've ever had. Don't sweat it. :)
   — Diana L.

April 9, 2003
Hi Tracy, My Dr. doesn't put cather,s in his patients. Within half an hour of getting to your room from recovery, you are gotten out of bed and walked right to the bathroom, no matter how much protest you put up!! LOL Good luck with your surgery.
   — Robin G.

April 9, 2003
all i had was an IV and a catheder the catheder does pull a little but it doesnt hurt..it does hurt ur tummy to get up but nothin too terrible
   — christine S.

April 9, 2003
From one Tracy to another, you don't even notice the catheter. I didn't realize I had one until the next day. :o)
   — Tracy A.

April 9, 2003
The nurses were in my room getting me out of bed in less then four hours. Before getting me up they removed my catheter. It was the leg pumps that I was getting sick of. Every time I needed to use the rest room, I had to have someone come and take them off. Not fun when you really have to go.
   — Melody D.

April 9, 2003
I didn't have a catheter. But they told me if I didn't get up and go to the bathroom on my own, they would put one in. I got up and went - I took an hour and 1/2, but I did it on my own LOL !!
   — Sharon H.

April 9, 2003
I didn't get out of bed til the morning after my surgery. I was in recovery til 7:30 PM waiting for a room so the nurses didn't get me up after I got to the floor. However, I was gotten up at 5:30 the next morning for a shower, catheter in place. It wasn't a problem at all. I had my shower, washed my hair and got back into bed. By the time all that was done, my surgeon was making rounds and as soon as he left, they removed the catheter. So, don't worry abou it - it's really no big deal.
   — Patty_Butler

April 9, 2003
I did not have a catheter therefore it was either get up and use the bathrooom or a bed pan. I got up while still in recovery. It hurt getting off and on the bed. I am only 5'2" so I needed a step stool, and a nurse waited outside of the bathroom but I was glad I did it. After that I got up every couple of hours.
   — Joani M.

April 9, 2003
It was no problem for me with the cath in to walk around. Then they took it out the next day, so it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Best of luck!
   — kb0lqx

April 9, 2003
I was up and walking around the evening of my surgery and I didn't even know I had a catheter. I really could have cared less at that point because I was concentrating on the pain on my tummy. Finally figured out it was there the next morning when I woke up and they took it out.
   — salymsmommy

April 10, 2003
For us ladies, you don't even feel the catheter. And it's not just "hanging" there...it's taped to your leg so the collection bag won't pull it out. You'll be so drugged you won't really notice it at all for about a day! Then you just hook it onto your walker or IV pole and away you go. Don't worry. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 10, 2003
Two comments about catheters: 1. It can feel a little gross when it gets pulled out, but it's over fast. 2. Be alert for any signs of a bladder infection, which can occur even a week or two later. Burning, frequency, etc. Catheters can introduce bacteria. These infections are easily cured but you do need to go in and leave a specimen. Your PCP can deal with it.
   — sjwilde

April 10, 2003
My catheter was removed as soon as I was awake and alert and I promised the doctor that I would get out of bed and go to the restroom. Sooooo, it was out the evening of surgery. Good Luck!
   — Terri D.




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