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I will be having a prostatectomy on April 11. As a result, I will have a catheter in place for 7-10 days. I have never had one before. I have been reading quite a bit about them...what to do, not do, what to eat, not eat, etc. I also have read that they can tend to leak at times. My question is, should I wear a diaper over the catheter? I have been wearing diapers for some time, so it will not be new to me.

Yes, I would recommend it. The leaking past the catheter will be somewhat minimal, but it will happen. A pullup will be enough too, if you're so inclined.

The amount of leaking around a catheter can be anything from minimal needing a small liner in your underwear right up to needing a diaper/nappy style pad. You probably won't know until it comes to it. Personally I just need a very thin liner to prevent dampness. Sometimes the bladder will block a bit and at those times I need a bigger pad. I onlu need a full on nappy style pad I'd the whole thing has broken and I'm bypassing my whole bladder contents. I'm ar home so it's much easier for me to just wear the liner and get a pad in place when needed or have the odd wet bed, where as if I was going outside I'd be likely to take more precautions just in case I had issues whilst out.

I recommend looking in to d mannose as a supplement if you would be allowed it after surgery (can't think why not)

Good luck for your surgery.

I have had a prostatectomy and came home with a catheter. The catheter should not feel painful, however you might feel like you have to urinate, as the catheter can stimulate the bladder nerves the same as a full bladder will. You may have some leakage of urine so I suggest you wear at least a pull-up. By the way you could try a drugstore diaper as the leakage will not be very much.

You may come home with a leg bag and be given a big bag for use at night. It is very important to keep the system sterile when you change bags. Failure to keep the connection sterile could result in a urinary tract infection.

For the first few days you will see some blood in the urine, this is normal. Have you doctor explain what is OK and what should be reported to him/her. It is important that you make sure you understand. If a clot develops and blocks the catheter you will need to seek medical help.

Ask your doctor to explain every thing to you in words that you understand. If you do not understand then ask again. Remember he/she works for you.

If you have and questions for a retired nurse, let me know.

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RetiredRN

Thanks for all the advice. From what I have been reading, I figured I would need to wear some kind of protection over the catheter. I have been wearing a diaper of some kind for quite some time, so it won't be a new experience for me. According to my urologist, my bladder is "a mess". It's very large/distended with several diverticula. I know diapers will probably always be in my future. I'm hoping that after the prostate is removed due to low grade cancer, I will at least not retain as much. I just what to be over with all the tests and procedures that I have gone through...multiple cystocopies and, uro-flow tests, dynamic studies, biopsies, and MRI's I have had enough In fact, before my surgery my urologist wants to do another MRI and cystocopy. This time the MRI will be of the coil variety...another thing stuck in me that isn't natural. If it sounds like I'm giving in, maybe I am. Sorry if it sounds like I'm feeling a little sorry for myself.