Suprapubic cath vs. foley...anyone have problem with suprapubic?

I am ging to be having my VVF repair on 5/26/10. I will have to wear a catheter for 2-4 weeks. I am also a diabetic. I think I would like to have a suprapubic cath because I have already wore a foley for 4 weeks, and it wasn't fun. I thought maybe the suprapubic would be a little more comfortable, but I am not sure how I feel about having the hole poked in my bladder since the hole in my bladder with the fistula is the reason for the surgery. Does anyone have experience with this? I was wondering if anyone had problems getting there suprapubic to heal closed after removal.

Thanks,

Al

I had a suprapubic for almost 2 wks after surgery, i agree it is more comfortable (if having a cath ever is ). They put it in during surgery and sent me home with antibotics for precaution. I was nervous about the removal and healing but he did it in the office. Once he removed it , I had to apply pressure and tape a pad on it, I changed it once a day, not alot of leaking at all and it healed in 2-3 days. My Dr. told me sometimes you get alot of leakage and that the bladder heals quick . I didn't have a problem healing, but prior to surgery I freaked out at the sound of this , but looking back it wasn't that bad, and i feel in a better spot then the foley. Sorry but what is VVF?

Thanks for your reply. VVF is vesicovaginal fistula...basically a tunnel forms between your bladder and your vagina. During my hyusterectomy, the surgeon cut my ureter and perforated my bowel. They left me with the cyt ureter for over 5 weeks until I figured out what was going on.

May I ask what kind of surgery you needed the cath for?

Thanks again,

Al

Oh my goodness, thats alot to go through on top of having a hysterectomy. I had a TVH, uterosacral ligament suspension(due to prolapsed uterus/bladder) and repairs to vaginal/rectum area. My dr. is a urogynocologists and he suggests to all his patients suprapubic vs foley just due to infection rate and comfort. I had a tube above my pubic bone, also can have a bag attached for at night, but I found it easier with out it, however it would be nice at night not to get up.

How did you know it was cut? what were the symptoms? Did they fix your bowels in surgery ? Also with you having diabetes , how are you doing healing?

I will pray for you and for a quick healing time after your surgery. And continue staying strong.

Thank you so much. Such. Kind words. I ended up having my family doc admit me to the hospital for testing because I figured out that I was leaking urine from my vagina. A lot!
Yes, my so called surgeon, took me back into surgery 3 days after the original surgery to explore. By then, I was so filled with bacteria fluid that I bottomed out on the table when they filled me with the air for the scope. I was in ICU for a week and then anither week on the floor. I ended up getting pneumonia from the trauma of the fluid. Ity was a pretty bad experience. When I came home, I started leaking. I thought he screwed up my bladder, but after 3 week passed while I was waiting for a urologist, I figured out it was actually coming from the wrong place. I had my 3 surgery with the urologist to fix my ureter and fistula. The fistula got a lot smaller,but it did not repair completely. My next surgery will be vaginal to try to finally fix the hole. I just pray it works.
Sorry to go on for so long, but you asked. LOL.
You had a lot of work done. How are you feeling these days. I hope much better than you had been.
Thanks for your help.

Al

I know I asked and glas you told me, Wow you have got to be strong, but what other choice do you have, at least I pray this will be the end of a long road for you. That is so dangerously scary what you have gone through. As I've been on this site , i hear alot about people having a fistula after surgery, but you had alot more going on. By now i bet your are not nervous about the surgery and just want to get this over.
It been 7 wks and I feel better, just trying to have energy, some days I'm more tired. Just have some weirds pains here and there, but it part of healing, no more complaining after hearing what you have gone through. I thought that being a little younger(35 not that young haha) having a hyster., I would have bounced back quicker but I it took about 5-6 weeks.
After this surgery , will you have to spend time in the hospital ? I also pray this works, stay strong!!!
Michelle

I should only have to spend 2-3 days in the hospital this time. I do just want to get it all over with.
Thanks for your support. I just turned 38 and we are young to be going through this stuff. I hope this will be the end of it for both of us. I am glad you are healing well.
I think we are going to be getting pains and pressures for a while. Everyone tells me to wait a year. I guess I'll start from the last surgery.

Thanks for your prayers,

Al