The catheter is OUT and it wasn't so bad

After 15 days, my catheter is finally out! I can hardly describe how much I dreaded this day. I slept maybe 3 hours last night, and was only able to eat breakfast before my 4:00 pm appointment - my body just didn't want to deal with food.

To anyone out there who's like me, scouring the Internet, wondering what it's like to get it out: for me, it honestly wasn't bad - maybe a 1 or 2 on the pain scale (whereas I was a 10 on the fear scale). It took less than 2 seconds for it to be taken out, and really the only time it hurt even a little was at the very end. Also, it stung when I peed the first four times, but then smooth sailing after that. For comparison, I would say getting the drain out was between a 0 and 1 on the pain scale.

Now that I'm on the other side, I FINALLY understand all those articles I've read where they say that a problem with this surgery is that guys tend to do too much too soon. With the catheter in, three 15 minute walks a day was often too much - now, I want to run full speed around the neighbourhood 🏃

If you're nervous about getting it removed, hopefully this post has helped you

That's awesome! A lot of people write about their post catheter experience, but not so much about the actual removal; I assume it's because it's such a non issue as it was for you. However, I'm sure there are at least some lurkers out there who are as terrified as I was.

Jealous 🙂

PS, forgot to mention the solution that was injected into my bladder prior to catheter removal. It came gushing out like a fountain, with the nurse trying to catch it in a pan. Lol

I agree it's a good thread that could help reduce anxiety for lurkers. Thanks for posting it.

The day mine was removed emotionally felt like the 4th of July!

I had mine for 7 days. They put me on the table to pull my staples, and then had me stand up to remove the catheter. After releasing the balloon, I was told to take a deep breath and let it out slow...I felt a little tug, and it was gone. I didn't flood out like some guys.....I was reasonably continent from day 1.

Having mine removed 8 days after surgery was not something I want to remember. A year later I had an AUS installed and went home with the catheter installed. I asked if I could remove it myself the next day instead of coming back in just for that and the nurse gave me instructions. I used the slow and easy approach rather than the pull it out quick approach I’d had before and it it felt weird but no pain.

The nurse said that the trick is to use to syringe to fully deflate the balloon, remove the syringe and empty it, then put the syringe back on the catheter and give it another pull, holding that while extracting the the catheter. She said that discomfort comes from the balloon not being fully deflated. Comparing the two methods I experienced I would concur.

BTW, my uro said that they could schedule cath removal appointments for 2am and never have someone miss that appointment.

Now, I know a guy who accidentally pulled his catheter by tripping over it. THAT had to hurt.

No one has ever missed their appointment to have a cath removed. Thanks for the tugging memory. I was with you. 11 on the fear scale and 2-3 on the reality. By time I asked the Doc if I could be put to sleep, it was out.

I'm 2 more days with Foley catheter, looking forward to losing my bags etc, almost out of penis grease! That will make 14 days since the Tulsa pro job, yes,will be removing myself with telephone assistance if needed,.I looking forward to full recovery, excellent treatment, jw

I took my cath myself on day 10 to avoid a 70 mile one way trip. I got in the tub cut the cath and it came out with no pain. I chugged some water, got in the shower and all was good.
Hero

Herophilus said...
I took my cath myself on day 10 to avoid a 70 mile one way trip. I got in the tub cut the cath and it came out with no pain. I chugged some water, got in the shower and all was good.
Hero

you earned your name with that one