Will I need diapers post-prostatectomy?

EJ73, good that you asked here. I know my doc gave very little guidance on this and what I learned came mostly from others. Yes it depends on how your surgery went and how strong your muscles are. The docs dont know how things look until they get in there. Some guys are lucky to have little to no issue from the start. I was expected to bring a couple off diapers to the catheter-removal ceremony. Nothing was provided.

The surgery and the catheter will have irritated your whole urinary tract, so for me, that meant frequent trips to the bathroom and lots of leakage and dribbling at first. I used diapers day and night for the first few weeks. But it's not a gushing thing - more like small but frequent leakage, with more after drinking or being active. I slept with a moisture barrier underpad for the first few weeks, but didn't have a leakage problem at night. Gravity works in your favor while lying down, so it helps stay dry. But I did have to get up several times at night, and was wearing a diaper and a pad at first, and they were often soaked from leakage when I was unable to hold it.

Daytime, I went from wearing 3-4 diapers a day - more if very active - to one and then just pads in regular underwear. After 4 months I am mostly dry, but still wear a pad, or sometimes just a shield, for the occasional dribble. BTW, I think Depends is the gold-standard brand, but many less expensive brands work too.

As I understand it, you can have incontinence as a side effect of radiation too, so don't second guess your decision on that basis.

The one thing that I wish they had told me more about was managing bowel movements. It's the same sphincter muscle controlling both bladder and rectum, so you dont want to strain. Even sitting on the toilet without putting pressure on your wounded bladder area was difficult. Pay attention to the stool softener information.

Good luck

I didnt avoid going out, but I did have my bag of supplies with me at all times or in the car, just in case. My main concern in public was how visible the bulge (in back) was through my clothes. I still had pain from the incisions for the first few weeks, so I wasn't that physically active because of that. Most guys don't seem to have that problem.

I didn't find leakage was a problem with any of the 7-8 brands I tried. I changed them as soon as they got uncomfortable. I think you have to consider that the main customer those diapers are designed for are people who have no control over bladder or bowel. For us, the main benefit is keeping our clothes clean.

But the other thing the docs dont tell you about, is skin care. Having a damp diaper or pad in constant contact with your tenderest of skin areas tends to cause irritation and rashes that need care. Showers twice a day or more for a while, and protective ointments like A+D (baby diaper stuff) vaseline or something similar was helpful. Worth doing some research on that,

There’s a lot of info on this topic in several recent threads.

Best wishes!

NorthShore MegaMax is my adult diaper of choice for overnight use. They hold the overnight leakage and my pajamas and bed sheets are dry in the morning. Just to be safe, I use a NorthShore pad, too. Incontinence briefs seem to work similarly - Depends, Prevail, Tena, etc. In my case they’re good for a few hours. But we are all different. Good luck with the procedure.

@EJ73 , you will have lots of leakage after the catheter comes out, and then it will gradually improve. Typically, leakage is less through the night, and it won't be too long until you chance it.

I never wore diapers after my surgery. Men's pads did the job and it wasn't too long until I was using smaller and smaller ones.

Stress less! 😃

Be prepared for incontinence but, it's not a given. I was for the most part able to control my bladder after catheter came out. If I sneezed while walking or drank too much, I'd leak a little. I'm 2.5 years post RALP and 100% continent and sexually active.

Best of luck.

It will be two weeks tomorrow since I underwent my RARP on 10/22/24. My catheter was removed on 10/30/24 and over the last 6 days I have been through a couple of packs of Depends. My first two or three days with the catheter out I had absolutely ZERO control but by day 4, even though still incontinent, I was able to create a stream every time I'd stand in front of the toilet. I have noticed more of an improvement over the last two days and today seems less uncontrolled leakage, although it's still there. I have been very fortunate at night that I have been completely dry but I have also made a conscious effort to not drink anything two hours before bed. I have woken several times with the urge to urinate and have made it to the bathroom each night.

So, yes, you'll likely need the Depends or whatever brand you choose for a little bit but I have worn them out of the house under jeans/khakis and no one knows I have them on.

Your milage may vary…. everyone is different. I am 68, had surgery July 11,2024. I never needed a "diaper". I did use shields for about 4 weeks and then moved to pads for another 6 weeks, Now 3 months out I don't wear anything. Night time was a good time for me. I didn't leak much and didn't need to get up much. Definitely start doing Kegel execises now and after the catheter is removed.

The catheter was more a nuiscance after a while , but not an impediment to getting out. It just got old sleeping on my back all the time.

One thing that no one told me about was the ponetial side affects of the gas they use to puff up your abdomen during surgery. Apperently the gas has to work its way out of your system. For most people there are no issues. But for me I had terrible cramping between my shoulder blade and spine. It was very uncomforable and the only reason I needed pain meds. But that went away after 3-4 days.

How is your general health (age, weight, underlying conditions) this will may an effect on recovery. I was in good health and weight before my surgery. Only my age was a factor in recovery. (recovery can be quicker if your are younger)

You are right. The constant moisture especially on the penis, caused a lot of irritation. I took to putting some A+D ointment there. Also used a hairdryer after showers.