incontinence (leakage)

marteau

Today marks two weeks since i had the da vinci surgery here in Denver. When they took the catheter out, and i went thru the drill of peeing into a cup --i was able to start/stop when i wanted. tonight i am experiencing some "leakage" so i am wearing Depends.

have been doing the Kegel exercises.

I would be interested in hearing from other board members who have had the surgery and have successfully overcome the incontinence issue. did you take some meds? just do the Kegel?
how long did it take?

thegriz

Takes A Little Time
Also had DaVinci about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm surprised your Dr didn't give you more info on what to expect. It will be very frustrating for you at first -- every time you're standing you may be leaking. Depends are the answer initially. You should soon find that you won't need anything at night, then you'll progress to fewer Depends during the day, then to only one, then to a simple women's panty shield. This is probably over a course of 6 to 9 months or so. I never took any special meds.

At present, I wear nothing, and have an occasional drip which cotten underwear absorbs. I know that drinking alcohol "loosens" me up, so I may insert a panty shield ahead of time if I know I'm going to consume.

Keep up the kegeling -- I still do it. And read more Pros Cancer documentation -- it should explain the process of regaining urinary control.

Best of luck.

marteau

thegriz said:

Takes A Little Time
Also had DaVinci about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm surprised your Dr didn't give you more info on what to expect. It will be very frustrating for you at first -- every time you're standing you may be leaking. Depends are the answer initially. You should soon find that you won't need anything at night, then you'll progress to fewer Depends during the day, then to only one, then to a simple women's panty shield. This is probably over a course of 6 to 9 months or so. I never took any special meds.

At present, I wear nothing, and have an occasional drip which cotten underwear absorbs. I know that drinking alcohol "loosens" me up, so I may insert a panty shield ahead of time if I know I'm going to consume.

Keep up the kegeling -- I still do it. And read more Pros Cancer documentation -- it should explain the process of regaining urinary control.

Best of luck.

thanks
last night was my first night without the catheter and i had no leakage at all. did have to get up twice to relieve myself. used 3 Depends yesterday during the day.

did you take any meds, for example ditropan? which supposedly helps to control the bladder?

whubbs

marteau said:

thanks
last night was my first night without the catheter and i had no leakage at all. did have to get up twice to relieve myself. used 3 Depends yesterday during the day.

did you take any meds, for example ditropan? which supposedly helps to control the bladder?

Leakage
If your only days out from catheter removal, sounds like your doing great!

Olee

whubbs said:

Leakage
If your only days out from catheter removal, sounds like your doing great!

Post-Op Visit
Your post have been helpful in giving me insight as to what to expect in the coming week. I'm recovering now after having Da Vinci Surgery last Thursday, wrote an update in my post. I have my post-op visit on Friday and was wondering what to expect as for as bladder control discussions and I'm assuming I should bring some depends to wear from the doctor's office.

marteau

Olee said:

Post-Op Visit
Your post have been helpful in giving me insight as to what to expect in the coming week. I'm recovering now after having Da Vinci Surgery last Thursday, wrote an update in my post. I have my post-op visit on Friday and was wondering what to expect as for as bladder control discussions and I'm assuming I should bring some depends to wear from the doctor's office.

post op visit
dont think you will need Depends till the catheter comes out, and that shouldnt be before two weeks,to be safe. i know it is an annoyance.

Olee

First Night Without Catheter
Well I can see this incontinence issue takes alot of optimism and positive outlook. I knew it would be bad the first day but it still took some coming to terms not being able to control my urine flow as soon as they took the catheter out. I did notice that as the day progressed I got better, although I still went through 3 pads. Last night was a trade-off, the pad stayed dry for the most part but I woke up 5 times feeling the urge to go to the bathroom, and went successfully. I'd rather go myself though than to go in the pads. I'll take it day by day and adapt to the circumstances.

marteau

Olee said:

First Night Without Catheter
Well I can see this incontinence issue takes alot of optimism and positive outlook. I knew it would be bad the first day but it still took some coming to terms not being able to control my urine flow as soon as they took the catheter out. I did notice that as the day progressed I got better, although I still went through 3 pads. Last night was a trade-off, the pad stayed dry for the most part but I woke up 5 times feeling the urge to go to the bathroom, and went successfully. I'd rather go myself though than to go in the pads. I'll take it day by day and adapt to the circumstances.

same experience for me
i dont leak at night, but have to get up several times to pee. However, during the day, when walking or when standing up after sitting, i am very leakprone. But, i has just been 5 days since cath taken out.
i expect we will see improvement over the next weeks. keep me posted on your experience.