Catheter Question

Cybball
Cybball Member Posts: 111
in Kidney Cancer #1

I've had surgeries, but never needed a catheter.  Are they put in under sedation?  After I'm knocked out for surgery?  Before with drugs?  Or before without?  Just curious as to how this works.  

Thanks!!

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Comments

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #2
    My experience

    Put in, yes. Taken out, no.

  • Angie1496
    Angie1496 Member Posts: 154
    #3
    Put in after I was out. 

    Put in after I was out.  Taken out a day after the surgery. They monitor the output of your kidneys after the surgery.  Or at least they did mine.  

  • sasha_jax4
    sasha_jax4 Member Posts: 43
    #4
    Normally

    catheter put in while you are out for surgery purposes Or in Lala land And don’t know what’s up. Awake when it comes out. Ive had multiple times removal is not bad. Fast and either feels weird or lititle uncomfortable. You will be on pain meds, so you probably won’t notice. 

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #5
    I noticed.

    She pulled on that thing like she was starting a lawnmower.

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #6
    It's a gender thing, sort of...

    What everyone said: inserted while sedated, and removed while awake. The discomfort for a man is, perhaps, a bit more intense when they remove it. For us, putting it while awake is without question the last resort. Taking it out was no picnic, but not nearly as bad as I'd dreaded.

  • Cybball
    Cybball Member Posts: 111
    #7
    Glad to hear about the

    Glad to hear about the putting it in part.  Removing it like starting a lawnmower should be entertaining.  Can't wait.  I'll be sure to hit the meds button while she is getting the lawnmower ready.

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam Member Posts: 463 Member
    #8
    It wasn't too bad

    Hi Cybball,

    Removal was no problem for me. I stepped on the tube a couple of times while moving around. That pulled on it a bit and might be the reason why it started to feel uncomfortable inside. Starting on about day four I was telling them they could remove it any time now.

    They took it out a day later and that felt really good to me. I just wanted it gone.

    I will repeat that. Removal felt good.

    Steve.

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #9
    Same

    I've had three surgeries now and they put it in while you're out, take it out later when they think things are working. You want things working before they pull it out, because putting back in is no fun! It does hurt pulling it out, but it's quick.

    Funny story about my nephrectomy. After 2-3 days getting home I passed air where urine should come out. Use your imagination. Scared me like you can't believe! I freaked out. I was trying to imagine how I'd have air in my bladder. Thought maybe they forgot to close up the ureter they cut (since they injected air into my abdominal cavity for the laparascopic surgery). Turns out that sometimes when they insert the catheter it pushes air into your bladder. It didn't show up until a few days because that's the first time I had completely emptied my bladder. Whew.

    Just thought I'd give you a little something to worry about. Haha. Seriously, it's nothing to worry about. After a couple of times, it went away. A word of advice, though. Don't google that issue.

    Todd

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #10
    The nurse

    that removed my catheter was about 22 yo.... She told me she almost flunked out of nursing school when she was tested on male catheterization. Her instructor asked her what was the first thing she should remove from a penis. Her answer was, "The wrinkles."

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #11
    foxhd said:

    The nurse

    that removed my catheter was about 22 yo.... She told me she almost flunked out of nursing school when she was tested on male catheterization. Her instructor asked her what was the first thing she should remove from a penis. Her answer was, "The wrinkles."

    Hahaha

    I won't ask how she planned to to do that...the answer would undoubtedly get reported as "inappropriate". :)

    Todd

  • stevez
    stevez Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2018 #12
    My Experience

    My kidney cancer was found while in the hospital for another procedure that required a catheter.  I had blood in my urine for 1/2 a day and they weren't going to release me, obviously.  It cleared up and they said if it gets blocked I'll be back.  On Thanksgiving night I couldn't pee at all.  Totally blocked and went to ER.  They had to put a foli catheter in while I was awake and that was extremely painful.  Had it in at home for 3 days.  Taking it out was a piece of cake; a little pressure but felt so good to get the damn thing out.  While in the hospital it was always put in when I was out prior to surgery.  Still the removal wasn't bad.  I had a scope procedure done prior to my surgery and that required them to put a stent in my ureter while I was under.  That was very uncomfortable and I continued to have bladder spasms until they took it out.  I hate the word catheter, but not being able to urinate was worse I tell you!

  • Cindy T in Washington
    Cindy T in Washington Member Posts: 27
    #13
    I was a RN in a hospital for

    I was a RN in a hospital for many many years, and have installed and removed an awful lots of catheters.   A secret to make removal easier, is to take a big breath and hold it while they deflate the balloon, and breathe out with the removal of the catheter.  Makes an unpleasant situation a little more tolerable.

  • Bay Area Guy
    Bay Area Guy Member Posts: 620 Member
    #14
    I've had five catheters over

    I've had five catheters over the years and remain convinced that they were invented by the Marquis de Sade.  When they are taken out, it doesn't matter whether it's a male nurse or a female nurse, I offer to marry them on the spot.

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    #15
    Mine was put in while I was

    Mine was put in while I was out. Was taken out while awake and it was nothing at all!!!

  • Retcenturion
    Retcenturion Member Posts: 240 Member
    edited January 2018 #16
    Have to go through it to answer it

    It was my first time to have one with this surgery. As prior posters have said its a gender thing. I was told its no big deal having it taken out .butttt it was not pleasant and I would prefer never to have again. You'll do great, and have a war story to share 

  • stevez
    stevez Member Posts: 51
    #17
    Bay Area Guy said:

    I've had five catheters over

    I've had five catheters over the years and remain convinced that they were invented by the Marquis de Sade.  When they are taken out, it doesn't matter whether it's a male nurse or a female nurse, I offer to marry them on the spot.

    Couldn't have said anything

    Couldn't have said anything more true!  I told the Doc that pulled it out that she was my new best friend and I was in love.  My wife was sitting right there!  

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #18
    todd121 said:

    Hahaha

    I won't ask how she planned to to do that...the answer would undoubtedly get reported as "inappropriate". :)

    Todd

    I was thinking the same thing...

    ...I'll just go to my corner for my time-out now...

  • Cybball
    Cybball Member Posts: 111
    #19
    Great info and very

    Great info and very appreciated.  Not really worried too much about it.  I just don't like surprises.   :)  Would rather plan mentally for what they are about to do.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #20
    When you end up in the hospital,

    it's easy to avoid embarassment if you accept that nothing is sacred. If you have one, whatever that is, medical personnel has touched, held it, looked in it, cleaned it, taken it apart, and measured it. I always suggest trusting the professionals. Sit back and watch the show. Do as told and help the process move forward. It is a front row seat. I think people find out that more is expected from them than they expect. It can be a strange trip.

  • Wehavenotimeatall
    Wehavenotimeatall Member Posts: 488 Member
    #21
    Sorry Guys

    i didnt feel a thing

    now childbirth and painful periods.. that was something to talk about.. 

    Annie

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