catheter concerns

I seem to have a huge phobia with catheters. I don't want it, don't like the idea of having it, and I'm scared to death of it. Something about a tube in there just freaks me out! Going in I guess I'm ok with cuz I will be asleep, however I will be awake when they take it out (that's a problem) I tried to bribe my doctor with cookies, jerky, pie but no luck. Lol. Says I'm gonna wake up with it. I am having a monarch bladder sling put it too. Is it going to hurt when it comes out?
Then the doctors said they will put it back in if I don't go on my own. What can I do to make sure I go on my own? any suggestions, advice, experiences?
I want to be prepared for whatever happens.

The catheter doesn't hurt when they take it out. You'll feel it and it's a little uncomfortable, but only for a second or two. And the first time I had to pee I sat there for a little while relaxing and letting the muscles remember what to do.

Drinks lots of water, juice, etc. I had a can of Pepsi always near me to help with the caffine withdrawal and to help with the funky taste in my mouth after surgery.

I never even thought about having a catheter with my surgery, until I woke up with one in. I can say this....It doesn't hurt while it's in there, and it doesn't hurt when it's removed. The best part is you don't have to get out of bed to go to the bathroom ;-)

it does not hurt ..not at all.. make sure no one steps on your "line" if they leave it on the end of your bed.. as that just feels funny.. i had a lot of complications with a "frozen bladder" and my cath was just fine.. no problems peeing.. if you do have trouble.. run the water.. warm water.. and put your hand under it, too.. old trick.. but it works

I think having a catheter is a good thing. You are not going to feel like getting up to pee for the first day. I woke up w/ a catheter after my TAH and it wasn't uncomfortable at all. I remember still being in a post-surgery anesthesia haze and asking the nurses how to pee w/ one. It really saved a lot of pain getting out of bed right away.

When they removed it, it didn't hurt at all. Kind of reminded me of removing a tampon. And I'll never have to feel that again!!!

The catheter is no biggie. You don't feel it. Goin in, while it's in, or coming out. Good luck.

Hey Mrs L on the catheter thing heres my take....with the help from my Dr.

my worries were infection, pain and not being able to pee afterwards oh and also I wanted to be a great healer and make sure I walked as soon as possible

When I was preped for surg I found out they automatically
give IV antibiotics...infection worry gone I knew they were gonna put it in when I was out and I figured it couldnt hurt anymore than my incision when taken out....pain worry gone No way did I want to walk I wanted pain meds ahhhh in through the iv and with an iv pump life is very good. When anest. wore off next day and head was clearer the nurse came in and badabing it was out that fast. It was a little tug and sting and thats all, got on the pot and peeeed.

Hang in there and really remember the staff at the hospital really are ther to take care of you and they are well trained and don't want you to scream and scare the other patience The catheter was my friend the 1st 24hrs

I didn't even think about the cath, until time for it to come out. Because of the pain meds, I didn't really feel it coming out. I did have a little (very little) inflamation after it came out, but it settled fairly quickly. The thing for me was to just remember to take my time in the bathroom. I just sat & gave it time, & it worked.

My cath was put in before the surgery, it leaked and felt very unconfortable. It was removed and a new one was put in while I was asleep during the surgery. I wanted it out as soon as I woke up. It was uncomfortable, but didn't hurt. I was afraid of infection and the inability to pee the longer they had it in me. I told the nurse that I wasn't going to walk until it was removed,so they removed it 12 hours after the surgery. I got up walked, pee on my own, and was able to go home a few hours later. Did end up getting UTI. Good luck to you and hope you have a speedy recovery.

I"ve had many bladder caths and each one was a BLESSING! For me, it did take a few trips to the bathroom before my plumbing remembered what to do, but it was no big thing. If you are taking pain meds, they'll help with that.

Order lots of cranberry juice, post op. Believe me, they will give it to you!

Try not to think about it too much. You'll be fine!