Question:
Does everyone need to have a catheter for the surgery?
I know that everyone is different, but I really have an awful aversion to pain. Will they deaden the area before they put it in if necessary? or will/can they put it in when I am asleep and therefore won't feel it. I am very very nervous about that. I know that I will have pain from the surgery anyway and realize that it may be intense, but that is pain that I am prepared for. — Renee S. (posted on March 19, 2002)
March 19, 2002
You should be asleep when they insert the catheter. It is not pleasant but
not necessarily "painful" when they remove it. You will be out
and have no bladder control so they need to catheterize you to avoid any
accidents! ;)
— ctyst
March 19, 2002
It just depends on your Dr. My surgeon does not require the use of a
catheter, therefore I did not have one, but my "roomie" had a
different surgeon and she had one. Ask your surgeon if he requires it.
Good Luck
— skymaxjr
March 19, 2002
NO WORRIES.. it's normal to put the urinary catheter in AFTER you're
asleep.. however, **and this is the important part** IF your
doctor/facility is different and they want to put it in while awake, you
just say NO politely and ask that they do it in holding for surgery after
you receive something to relax you. it's simple.. YOU are in control not
them.. it's your body.. don't get me wrong, there are some things that are
unavoidable but ASK, don't assume, and remember it's your body and you have
the right to be as comfortable as possible if that doesn't compromise your
health.. if you have problems, ask for your nurse because she is your
patient advocate.. and should help.. i just had my surgery 3/11 and the
catheter was put in while i was asleep and did not hurt AT ALL when they
took it out.. i was thankful i had it for 24 hours as i got used to how to
move with pain.. good luck to you!
— Ann W.
March 19, 2002
They should put it in after you've been put under anesthesia. I was glad
to have it because I couldn't feel it and when I had to start getting up to
go to the bathroom myself, I sure did miss the thing.
— Meredith A.
March 19, 2002
Hello =) I have had a C-Section and had my gallbladdder removed. I had one
with each surgery. One was done when I was awake, and one after I was
asleep. However, in my case, there was no pain to speak of when they
inserted one when I was awake. I was amazed because I thought it would be
torture...It was not bad at all when they put it in or when they removed
it. Like the previous poster, I was sorry when they took it out because it
made it harder for me without it.
— ScatCat
March 19, 2002
I had my first catheter inserted at the age of 13 after I had two ovarian
tumors pop up on my teenage body. It was absolutely horrible but I believe
it's because I had never been touched like that before. I remember my
doctor coming in to check on me and I was just SCREAMING - wigging out to
the maximum and I remember him putting his hands above his head and looking
to my mother and saying "I haven't even touched her yet". :) It
was still a painful and gross memory that I still hate to think about and I
certainly wig out each and every time I've had surgery since (about 4 times
where a catheter is needed). I've always asked since I was a kid for them
to insert it AFTER I am given the anesthesia. They are always real kind ~
I am going to call my doctors office later today to make sure they can
insert any and all tubes used in surgery after I am asleep...important
thing for me. Good luck - my surgery is on the 9th of April - how about
you?
— Lisa J.
March 19, 2002
I don't think everyone is catheterized. It depends on how fast your body
wakes up after surgery and if you can urinate on your own. Even if they
have to catheterize you, it's really not that big of a deal. In my
opinion, it's no worth than a pelvic exam.
— Terissa R.
March 19, 2002
I've had cathiters put in MANY times, and often while awake.
Unless you have urinary strictures (and I have had many!) it is "no
big deal". It's much easier on women than men as women have shorter
urethras and not as many bends. Anyway I always request them to put a
cathiter in during surgery as my bladder won't wake up for around 24 hours
after general anesthesia. The one thing I find uncomfortable is the burning
sensation after it is taken out. But that passes after a few hours. But
peeing is uncomfortable for those few hours but it beats not being able to
go for 24 hours.
— Danmark
March 19, 2002
My catheder was put in while I was asleep, and when I woke up, I was SSOOO
glad I had it- I would have been MISERABLE if I had to get up to pee (and I
had to pee a lot since they were pumping me full of liquids). They took it
out the morning of day three and I was ready by then to go to the bathroom
by myself. Don't worry about it pain-wise, it pinched a little coming out,
but that's it- and I am a wimp. Good Luck to you!
— Angela B.
March 19, 2002
My doctor doesn't use catheters. Personally,as a nurse, I don't know why
they are needed (my opinion) because the goal is to get up and ambulate as
soon as we can. This was the reason I decided to get up so quick to make my
way to the bathroom.
— ZZ S.
March 19, 2002
I had a catheter put in while I was in surgery. Glad that I read on this
site to ask them to do it that way, so I didnt feel a thing. When it was
removed, it felt funny but I had not burning and no problems going right
afterwards. In fact, it was an interesting experience. Ihad never been in
the hospital before this surgery, so everything was interesting.
— Tara C.
March 23, 2002
I was petrified of the catheter pre-op. However, they put in the catheter
while I was under the anaesthesia, and when I woke up I couldn't even feel
that the catheter was in! In fact, the only time I even felt the catheter
was when I moved around on the bed and felt it against my thigh externally!
When they removed the catheter, I didn't feel anything either. So....
after all my fear, it was a big nothing. I was actually thrilled to have
the catheter because I didn't have to keep getting up to go to the
bathroom.
— Kathy J.
September 17, 2002
OK, you ladies might not have a problem with the catheter issue. Gentlemen,
let me have your attention!!!
I've haven't had my WLS yet, but had to have one after a serious car
accident. It didn't feel good going down and was less painful on the exit
journey - but WAS EXTREMELY painful was going #1 the first time! I just
about passed out from the pain. I will adamately refuse the foley catheter
on this go around if at all possible [pass the foley please!]
— Charlie N.
September 17, 2002
My surgery is scheduled for 10/28/02. My physician told me that he does
NOT use catheters because he wants his patients up and walking around
almost right away after surgery which includes going to the bathroom if
thats as far as they can walk. So, no, I don't believe a catheter is
necessary according to my surgeon.
— Vicki R.
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