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Posted 11/5/2007 8:36 AM (GMT -8)
Call it shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic,focusing on minutae or just stupid questions:

My da Vinci is scheduled for 11/28.  I'm already focusing on my rehab (something I can control to some extent!).  The Dr.'s protocol is to leave the catheter in for 10 days.  So here goes the questions:

1)I assume (but don't know for sure) that the dr. will furnish an intial supply of pads to deal with the incontinence.  I thought I might purchase a small supply (positive thinking) of pads now.  Is one brand better than another?

2)Vacuum Pump.  Buy an inexpensive one now?  I've read the pros/cons on expensive/inexpensive & thought I can always upgrade later if needed.  I don't think there is a consensus of one inexpensive pump being better than another?

3)Are there any other supplies I should contemplate purchasing now?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Posted 11/5/2007 10:36 AM (GMT -8)
Hello RTR,

After the catheter is removed you may need something more that just a pad. The Depends underwear may be more than you'll need, but it's better to have more protection. Just buy the smallest package first; then if you find you don't need them you won't be stuck with a case. You might not want to go out and spend money on any ED devices just yet. First try the Viagra or other ED drugs your doctor recommends.

Most other things you'll need are probably already in your home; bathrobes, soft pillow (for sitting on), DVD's to watch while recovering, prune juice, Medimusil, stool sofener (to get the plumbing functioning again).

So good luck to you on the 28th; we hope you'll be on of the guys that doen't need any of this stuff. That is possible at your age. The better shape you're in going into surgery; the quicker the recovery. Maybe practicing your Kegels now would be a good idea too.

Glen
Posted 11/6/2007 4:22 AM (GMT -8)
ditto to what has been said. remember these stepping stones - recovery from treatment, incontinence, and then any ED issues. I can't really add anything else...best wishes on your surgery! kat
Posted 11/7/2007 7:33 PM (GMT -8)
A couple of suggestions:

Get some cotton "shop towels". My Angel found me white ones. They will prove very handy while the catheter is in to control leakage. They made sleeping far more comfortable.

Get a small garbage can or a 5 gallon bucket to hold the catheter bag, especially while sleeping. I found the 5 gallon can easier to deal with.

My daughter sewed a "designer" catheter bag so it was not so obvious and easier to carry when I went for my walks.

I found that raising the head of my bed aided the flow from the catheter. Several ways to do this.

As for pads, I prefered the CVS and Walgreens pads. The Serenity pads are great, thinner and more comfortable, but they don't hold near as much.

I used a Rejoyn (manual) vacuum pump. Go to www.rejoyn.com for info. It worked great, and the constriction rings were easy to deal with, unlike some others. Most don't consider the function and ease of use of the rings when purchasing a pump. Very important.
Posted 11/7/2007 8:35 PM (GMT -8)
A couple of things that you might want to look at before the home trip after surgery. One is to buy some stool softeners, you can get Ducalax for around $9 or the generic for $5. I bought the generic and there was more of them for less cost, they worked fine. These are available over the counter. The other is to get a donut ring made of good sponge rubber. The first one I bought was rubber or plastic and was most uncomfortable whether fully or partially inflated. The next one was as I have suggested and I used it on a 3000 mile coach tour only 3 weeks after surgery and it was great. I suggest you buy the 18" wide one, less than $10 here in KY. It comes with a removable, washable cloth cover. For pads I bought a package of thirty mens Depends and only used a few. I then started to use womens' pads in my boxers and that worked great. I even got where I was cutting them in two as they were only a safety net so to speak. I am 11 weeks post surgery and most of the time I have no problems, but occasionally I have a leak when I have been driving and start to get out of the car. Nothing major and most of the time it is only a drop or two. Stay positive and may God bless you with a quick recovery. Uncle Dan
Posted 11/9/2007 5:58 AM (GMT -8)
  Hey ~ RTR, Our listing of supplies are in our personal thread... located in our signature below. Hopefully you can pull something from us ~ to make your journey a little smoother. Excerpt from "Our Journey"... All different kinds of lifestyles…   different PSA scores, different treatments, different incomes, different jobs, different health issues, all different ages, and most of all… MENTAL ATTITUDES ARE DIFFERENT.   So ~ take a deep breath and let HealingWell forum friends help you!!!   Remember… YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS…   Our thoughts are with you as you continue to pull knowledge from all of us! In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy See thread started by RTR:     Newbie - Surgery Looming < 30 days
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