Question:
A male Question. How, When and where is the catheter inserted?

   — D. Cornell L. (posted on February 28, 2003)

February 27, 2003
The catheter is inserted sometimes before sometimes after you are out, depends on your dr. It is a tube that is inserted in the uthera (through the end of the penis, in a male's case) that goes to the bladder. The other end is attached to a bag to collect the urine to keep the bladder empty. <BR> I am female and had one inserted when I had a CSection to have my son. I was totally awake for it. It burns a little and you get a weird feeling like you have to go to the bathroom but the feelings go away. I was actually releived to have it! Beats getting up every 10 minuts to go pee! :o) They aren't that bad, you will do fine.
   — Pookie B.

February 27, 2003
As a woman I would not have wanted it put in while I was awake so I understand your concern! My first onewas put in while I was asleep the second one (I had complications and had to have a second surgery) I was awake it was not too bad, but I would have prefered to be knocked out! Ask your doctor if you can wait until you are knocked out to make sure!
   — Haziefrog

February 27, 2003
For my WLS, I don't remember being catheterized, so they must have done it after they gave me the Versed. But I have been catheterized on other occasions while fully awake and while it's not the most pleasant sensation in the world, it is not painful. The tip of the catheter is well-lubricated and the nurses are usually pretty gentle...JR
   — John Rushton

February 27, 2003
I had mine inserted while I was under anesthesia and didn't even know I had it in until they told me they were going to remove it. When they removed it they told me to hold my breath and they pulled it out. It burned a little but it wasn't a big deal. I wouldn't stress over it.
   — Michael N.

February 27, 2003
They put mine in while I was asllep. I did not even know Ihad one until a day later. I thought the drugs made me not go to the bathroom. You will be fine.
   — snicklefritz

February 27, 2003
I always ask them to put one in when ever I have surgery. There is something about general anesthesisa that my bladder will not relax enough. So I can't pee for 24 hours! At least your urethra is probally normal. Mine is small and it hurts some. (Only because of my previous botched urological surgeries). But it is'nt bad coming out. Just have them do it while you are under, if you have a choice. It really is'nt to bad at all. It sure beats the pain of a bladder that won't empty. ;)
   — Danmark

February 27, 2003
ask for a texas t its installed around the head of the penis nothing inserted easiest of all
   — ted M.

February 28, 2003
Man your question hit the nail on the head (no pun intended)! They put mine in while I was asleep, but didn't put it in far enough and blew up the balloon inside my urinary tract. It ended up being a mess! See my profile for all the gory details. But don't worry, I'm positive mine was the exceptionto the rule. I've always said that you should expect ONE complication from the surgery. The catheter ordeal was my ONE complication. But hey, I'm 2 weeks from being one year out and have lost 135 pounds! Think I'm not happy???
   — Robby E.

February 28, 2003
Mine was put in while I was under and had to stay in a couple days because I had a slight kidney problem. It can be uncomfortable and it sucks for all of 10 seconds when they take it out. I wouldn't want to do it again, but it was less painful than some other things they did to me in there. Don't think about it. You will be fine.
   — Chris P.

February 28, 2003
WELL I AM NOT A MAN. YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH YOUR SURGEON TO SEE IF YOU EVEN NEED ONE. I HAD THE SURGERY IN JULY AND MY BROTHER DID IN JUNE AND NEITHER ONE OF US HAD A CATHETER. WE JUST HAD TO PEE BEFORE THE SURGERY. I HAD A CATHETER WHEN I HAD A C-SECTION AND IT WAS WORSE THAN THE SURGERY ITSELF. SO I ASKED ABOUT A CATHETER WITH THIS SURGERY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SURGERY IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO NEED ONE, UNLESS I WANTED ONE.
   — christina K.

March 2, 2003
I'm sure that every surgeon/facility is different. At BTC, we insert the urinary catheter after you are asleep and take it out the next morning. The worst is having it put it, but you'll be asleep, so don't worry about it. Good luck to you!
   — Lynette B.

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