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Sweatpants while wearing catheter

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alicomp
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 40
Posted 2/22/2010 3:25 PM (GMT -8)
I read on this forum that some men recommended wearing sweatpants while you have the catheter, as they are baggy and comfortable. Also, they recommended the kind with the zipper on the leg for easy access. Does anyone have a suggestion of the brand? I saw Champion on-line with a zipper but it doesn't look like the zipper goes very high up the leg. I assume we would want it up to the thigh. What do you think? Thanks Alice

Husband:
Age 60
No history of PCa in family
Treated for prostatitis since 2007
PSA 4.5
Biopsy 12/09: 8/12 cores had cancer 5% - 50%
Gleason 6
daVinci scheduled for 3/9/10 at UNC
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keysailfisher
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 361
Posted 2/22/2010 3:30 PM (GMT -8)
Alice my wife ordered sweats from JCPenny and we just cut a hole about mid shin.

Neal

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Galileo
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2008
Posts : 701
Posted 2/22/2010 3:32 PM (GMT -8)
I had just regular cotton sweat pants. I cut the elastic at the bottom of one leg for the ankle bag. That worked out fine.

I don't think you'd need a zipper that came all the way up the thigh. The tubing gets secured to the thigh, but you shouldn't need to have a zipper that goes all the way up there.
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alicomp
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 40
Posted 2/22/2010 3:33 PM (GMT -8)
Another silly question...is the bag attached to the thigh or to the ankle? Thanks again. Alice
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keysailfisher
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 361
Posted 2/22/2010 3:47 PM (GMT -8)
Mine had a yellow hose about 12" long out of the penis that comes to a y, that's were they inflate/deflate the cath. I attached the leg bag to my shin makes it easy to empty.

Neal

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Sunbird
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 140
Posted 2/22/2010 4:07 PM (GMT -8)
Alice,

If your husband is anything like me, he isn't going to have a big desire to be doing much walking while the catheter is in. I swear it irritates the inside of the bladder. Yesterday, 13 days out from surgery I went shopping with my leg bag attached. When I returned home, I was seeing more blood in my urine bag than the prior 12 days. Had me concerned for awhile, so I drank a lot of water and green tea. By evening, the blood had subsided. I had the catheter removed today. I used the "night bag" 95% of the time. Just carried the bag in my left hand while walking through the house. I'd place in on the floor next to the bed or lazy boy while lying down. Just remember to close the urine bag valve completely after emptying the bag. I only had two small accidents. Didn't have to call Stanley Steemer for the carpet. I also put a bottle of rubbing alcohol into a plant mister bottle to spray the connections on the bag(s) when taking a shower, etc. You can ask your nurse for a small plug to plug the exit of the rubber catheter so there is no dripping on the bathroom floor when getting out of the shower. The rubber catheter exiting the penis will extend about 9 inches before connecting with the clear tubing of the night or leg bag. The velcro strap holding the line to the leg will attach where the rubber catheter connects to the clear urine bag line. It takes awhile to get the right tension on the catheter. Too tight, and it pulls on the end of the penis and is painful. You need some slack in that catheter. Get a tube of neosporin and keep the area where the catheter enters the penis well lubricated. I really cuts down on the pain. I'm sure your husband will figure it all out. Good Luck!
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geezer99
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Joined : Apr 2009
Posts : 990
Posted 2/22/2010 5:02 PM (GMT -8)
Swear pants are good for sitting around but when it came to walking, I would put on a pair of Jockey shorts underneath. You don't want the pants jerking the cath around

By the way, drawstring pants worked fine for me
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142
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 7298
Posted 2/22/2010 5:10 PM (GMT -8)
I mentioned the basketball snap pants - snaps all the way from the waist to the hem so you can get into the game fast. Adidas has them as "100g" pants (nylon type material). Problem I had was getting them - I wasn't willing to pay all the shipping to get them fast, so they arrived about three days before the catheter came out.
In the end I just split the seam in some inexpensive sweat pants at the knee large enough to thread the bag through. I kept the big bag all the time after the nurses gave me their speech.
And I wasn't motivated enough to get out and walk with the bag either - just was too much irritation.

Post Edited (142) : 2/22/2010 6:13:14 PM (GMT-7)

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deer hunter
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 253
Posted 2/22/2010 5:12 PM (GMT -8)
Hay folks mind had bag that fit the ankle with a long tube to connected the tube from the penis. boy did i mark my boundry of my property .Ithink any loose fitting pj or he loungeing pants will do the trick. You will get the hang of it.Tread easy for a few days to you get confortable, be patient.
Deerhunter
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Mike H
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 72
Posted 2/22/2010 6:20 PM (GMT -8)
Alice,

Sweat pants are great but I recommend that your husband doesn't sleep in them and doesn't wear them all day long if you he doesn't need to.

I developed some nasty jock itch from a combination of sweat pants and the catheter being too snug to my leg and being the same leg for too many days in a row.

I STRONGLY recommend he changes into to shorts often and allowes fresh air at the area. In addition every few days he should move the catheter hold down tape to the other leg.

Also it's not a bad idea to shave the thigh area where the tape will go and pick up some medicated jock itch cream in advance just in case he wakes up at 3AM and discovers he needs it.

Best of luck.

Mike
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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 2/22/2010 6:55 PM (GMT -8)
As a long term catheter wear thought I would weigh in here. For starters, I only use the leg bag when I am leaving the house to go somewhere. I use the night bag or as some call, the big bag the rest of the time. So with the big bag on, I am either wearing boxers and a tshirt if no one is around, or will wear it with shorts if there's company or if I am justs going outdoors for a minute, like checking the mail, etc.

The two things that make mine bleed a lot are using the vacuum cleaner, which I do every day, or mopping floors, that makes me bleed a lot. If I walk more than a couple of big stores, like a Walmart, I end up bleeding a lot.

It is important to have plenty of slack in the cath when attaching it to your thigh, you have to think how it will be when you are walking, bending, or lying down. I use either disposable cath holders, they are useless once they get wet from a shower, or what I prefer, is the expensive kind that will last a month or more, and they have a swivel device, so that the tube moves with your natural movement. I can give a brand name if needed.

You learn real quick with a foley catheter (penis) about avoiding snags. I have to be careful around kitchen cabinets, because of the door knobs love to catch the tube. With the SP (suprapubic) cath, which exits below my navel, you are even more careful ,because a snag there really hurts much worse.

In all the times I have been on caths ,and still, I have never needed to use any kind of lubricant or cream or ointment. I am not circumsised, so I don't know if that is making the difference or not. Never had any problem with leakage, or oozing, not even in the long term situations.

Everytime I change bags from leg to big or big to leg, I wipe down the ends of the tube with achahol, this really helps keep down a chance of getting a UTI.

I have learned how to hide all the gear even under a fitted suit when I go for job interviews, no one is the wiser. Most of the time I am out in public, I wear this baggy pair of black casual slacks with loose legs. It does a good job of hiding everything, and one a couple of cases, the tube that connects from the cath to the leg bag has come loose, and at least the black pants hide any wetness until I can get it hooked up again.

Also, don't let the leg bag get too full, I empty when its at the half full level as a rule. The heavier it gets, the more it wants to pull down despite the bands holding it in place. And never put yourself in a position to fall asleep with the leg bag on, it can easily go back into the bladder contaminated. Urine is only sterile when its inside your bladder, the moment its out, its contaminated.

david in sc
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bcc
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2009
Posts : 46
Posted 2/23/2010 12:06 AM (GMT -8)
hi i have a good idea.i have just had my op and have cath in till thursday .but luckily my boys use the track suit bottoms made by a company called canterbury.they are a .new zealand co that produces sports gear particularly for rugby.thats the tough game you lads dont play in the states [joking].the obvious advantage with this particular product is that the outside zip on either side extends from the ankle to just under the pocket.this allows you to unzip scrunch up the material the extract you boot without getting mud all over the inside of your pants but its ideal for changing or emptying a bag.also being baggy you cant see a full bag.i have when caught with a full bag pretended to tie my lace but empty the bag . best of luck barry
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bcc
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2009
Posts : 46
Posted 2/23/2010 12:16 AM (GMT -8)
hi alice sorry forgot to say the canterbury pants are about £35 over here.if you cant get them and you want me to i will check the postage for you .look after your man cheers barry
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Worried Guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 3790
Posted 2/23/2010 12:25 AM (GMT -8)
I had my bag attached to the calf with the outlet near my ankle.
In my opinion you should not be buying anything new for a temporary condition. I got oversized cargo pants at GoodWill for $3 and cut out the inside of the pocket so I could run my tube down my leg and out the pocket when carrying my overnight bag in my bucket. I also bought shorts for $0.75 a piece.

(Just for the record, my pee pads and underwear are new.)
Good luck to you both. This too shall pass.
Jeff
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STW
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2009
Posts : 294
Posted 2/23/2010 8:20 AM (GMT -8)
I found that sweats with pockets were handy when walking around the neighborhood. That way, if the bag slipped on my leg, I was able to adjust it without being too obvious. I wore the bag above the knee.
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Tamu
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 626
Posted 2/23/2010 8:29 AM (GMT -8)
Alice,

In the three years I have been on this forum there has been all kinds of suggestions as to what to wear after surgery for the catheter. It appears the experiences with catheters vary greatly among men. In my case I had purchased a couple of pairs of light weight basketball type of pants. There was no zipper on the legs and not elastic at the bottom of the legs. I ended up wearing these only home from the hospital and a couple of times after that. I found I could wear my casual pants with the leg bag with no problem. The catheter tube coming out of the penis is attached to the thigh so the tube from the Y on this tube to the leg bag does not pull on the penis. In fact I found the leg bag to be easy to use and only used the large bag at night when sleeping. The leg bag is very easy to drain. The hospital where I had my surgery showed a video on the room TV showing exactly how to manage the catheter and I learned a lot from it. Hopefully the hospital where you will be at will do the same thing.

Tamu
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Mavica
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 407
Posted 2/24/2010 7:09 AM (GMT -8)
I used cotton sweat pants, and was comfortable with them.  I had no problems with my catheter and the doctor recommended lots of walking post-op, prior to the removal of the catheter - and I encountered no discomfort when walking.  I suspect the "problem" with the catheter (for most guys) is psychological more than anything else.  My catheter (the daytimne catheter) fastened to my shin.
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English Alf
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2009
Posts : 2237
Posted 2/24/2010 7:28 AM (GMT -8)
It makes a difference what time of year it is.

I was operated on at the end of July and was able to wear shorts indoors and out (with jockeys underneath to hold things in place, plus tape on my thigh)
If I was wearing shorts I had the bag on my thigh, but I also had some very lightweight cotton pants in a size that was too big and was okay with the bag on my calf.
Befoire I left hospital and early in the morning I just walked around carrying the bag.

At the time having a catheter and a bag seemed like forever, but it was only six days and nights. I only went outside about six times and the sixth time was to go back to the hospital for it to be removed.

If you do go for a walk just walk slowly and steadily otherwise the balloon end of the catheter does indeed move about inside you and touch the inside wall of the bladder whioch feels unpleasant.

I agree with David, doing anything like hoovering etc that involved moving the arms back and forth was uncomfortable. (I think it makes the torso twist as you do it) I could for instance lift out the ironing board and fold it out, but not actually iron my shirt.
I could walk to the store to buy bread, but not slice it when I got home!
Having an electric toothbrush was even a big advantage.

Alfred
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DS Can
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 195
Posted 2/24/2010 8:11 PM (GMT -8)

Alice,

The good news is that it has been less than a year since my surgery and I can't remember a lot of catheter specifics.  I remember I had a lot of initial discomfort and that it was terribly painful by day 7.  I remember that I strapped the leg bag to the thigh.  My wife did a fantastic job of cleaning and sanitizing the bags for me.  As to what clothing was more comfortable, I think snug fitting briefs helped to keep extra movement to a minimum.  I did not purchase anything new for the occasion. 

post surgery no nos: vaccuuming, laundry, washing dishes, shopping,

yeses: slow walks, recliner with mp3 player and TV remote, extra toppings on ice cream

Dan

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goodlife
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 2692
Posted 2/24/2010 8:21 PM (GMT -8)
I went to the Goodwill and bought my pants, which were more of an athletic pants with zippers. I didn't really use them that muchm so the 5 bucks I spent was no big deal.

Really, if you have some paper tape arounf your thigh ( shave it first) to hold the end of the cath so it can't pull on the penis, you can attach the leg bag right there. I found I could wear it with most of my casual clothes. ( dark colors in case yiu spring a leak).

It seems as tho each man has to do what makes him feel ok, so don't go out and buy a bunch of clothes that you may not use is what I would advise.

Good luck.
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MA1luvr
New Member
Joined : Jul 2010
Posts : 2
Posted 7/8/2010 10:32 AM (GMT -8)
I wear Nike sweatpants with my catheter and leg bag .They are comfortable and dont show the leg bag up
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normek
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 49
Posted 7/8/2010 11:13 AM (GMT -8)
I did not like the leg back at all, use it only if I went out. I just wore some large boxers and carried the night bag around the house....one important thing to remember is to pick up your night bag before you walk away, I learned this the hard way after brushing my teeeth I walked out of the bathroom with the night back still hooked on the cabinet door knob. It turned me around pretty fast! Did not forget again after that.
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Sharp18
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2010
Posts : 78
Posted 7/8/2010 1:08 PM (GMT -8)
I suggest to make a side cut (appr. 1 foot) of your cotton sweat pants - it will make it easire to wear your bag
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mvesr
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 823
Posted 7/8/2010 5:05 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Alicomp

I found a pair of pants at Dicks Sporting Goods that had buttons up the side of both legs and it worked fine, and they were on sale too.

Mika

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Sephie
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 1804
Posted 7/9/2010 4:00 AM (GMT -8)
Ali, we bought John a pair of nylon drawstring sports pants one size larger - no zipper. He found these very comfortable and wore them home from the hospital. The larger size allowed freedom of movement without tugging on the catheter tube and gave him extra room around the midsection to avoid pressing on the incisions or cutting into his waist since his belly was still a bit swollen from the surgery.

When home (with no company expected), John wore one of my old flannel nightgowns. He was petrified of tugging on the catheter the first few days home and we just couldn't think of anything for him to wear that would allow the catheter complete movement. So, I yanked out my old Lanz of Austria flannel nightie, slipped it over his head, and we were in business. He lived in that thing until the catheter came out about a week later. Don't have to tell you that once he no longer needed it, the nightie went into the rag bag!
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