Question:
When having WLS, do you have to have a catheter? If yes, how long?

   — Jason B. (posted on June 15, 2000)

June 15, 2000
Jason--Hi! Yes, you do have to have a catheter but they put it in when they put you to sleep and in my case, they took it out the next morning. Good luck!
   — Candace S.

June 15, 2000
I got mine in during the operation. The operation was Thursday. Friday I had an emergence operation and Tuesday they had to take it out. I started my period and I had the feeling I was being vacuumed on the inside. I guess I just freaked out because of the blood. But the nurses did take it out at that time.
   — Patricia G.

June 15, 2000
Yes, I had one the day of the surgery, but they removed it the next morning before I got up for the first time.
   — Anna R.

June 15, 2000
Yes, I had one the day of the surgery, but they removed it the next morning before I got up for the first time.
   — Anna R.

June 15, 2000
Hi Jason... the answer in my case is 'no'. After my open surgery, I was up and walking within a couple of hours after I came out of recovery. I even got to keep my panties on during the surgery!
   — Kris S.

June 15, 2000
I had a lap RNY. The catheter was placed in the operating room after I was asleep and removed before I was taken to the Recovery Room. If I hadn't been told that I had one, I never would have known. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

June 15, 2000
From my understanding, if you have an epidural, you automatically have a catheter. I did not becuase I did not have an epidural. In fact during my hospital pre-registration, they told me they avoid them when at all possible because it is a way for them to encourage patients to get up out of bed. I got up the first evening after my surgery and used the bathroom and had absolutely no problems. Personally, I would prefer not to have one.
   — Paula G.

June 15, 2000
I did not have an epidural, but did have a catheter. They put it in sometime during surgery & I had it about two days. After its painless removal, I actually had to get out of bed to go to the bathroom!! Then I missed it!
   — Kathy W.

June 15, 2000
I had open RNY. They put it in while I was asllep, thank the Lord. I didn't even know I had one until they took it out. They fill it with water and it didn't even hurt. Just a little pressure. Email me if you have other man questions
   — snicklefritz

June 15, 2000
I had open RNY. They put it in while I was asllep, thank the Lord. I didn't even know I had one until they took it out. They fill it with water and it didn't even hurt. Just a little pressure. Email me if you have other man questions
   — snicklefritz

June 16, 2000
Jason- I was in so much pain I never even knew I had a catheder!
   — Tracey D.

December 2, 2000
I had one but belive me you will be thankful for it since they are pumping you with so many fluids via IV and you will not feel like moving the first day or so, I was scared too but now I look back on it as nothing
   — Wendy W.

January 23, 2001
Not everyone gets one. I asked for one and they pulled it after I got to my room. That post-op nite was terrrible, with the IV running, I was stumbling to the BR every half hr. But they want you to get up. I was Lap 1/4/01 and went home the next day. I should have stayed one more day.
   — mfrchico

February 1, 2001
Jason- Thank God for the Catherter!! Without it you will be getting up and dragging your IV, compression boots, to the bathroom. It was not painful at all. I felt nothing but relief because I didn't have to get up or worry about peeing in a pot!!
   — T. C.

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