Have you had one before? I was worried before the first time I had one but honestly it made things so much easier compared to the surgery where I didn't have one. They'll put it in when you're asleep (though I've had one put in awake and it's painless). Removing it takes seconds and again, it's painless. I know these things are horrible and undignified but if you do need one it's not that bad. But talk to the staff at the hospital if you're concerned.
First time I had one was with the first surgery at the bsge centre when they'd found some endo on my bladder and excised it. It rests the bladder for 24 hours after surgery to help healing, I think. I also had one after my hysterectomy (for 2 days). It also lets them monitor output and quality of urine. When I had the bladder excision they'd put blue dye in my bladder to check for leaks so I peed blue and they were able to check that was clearing, and after the hysterectomy I peed blood due to the stents they'd put in so it meant they could keep an eye on that too. It honestly makes things so much easier when you don't have to try and get to the loo. Beforehand I had only thought of it as something horrible but having had one, I would want one if I was having surgery again.
It's also because the anaesthetic makes your muscles a bit woozy too so you can have trouble opening your bladder after; it helps over stretching and thus helps recovery.
You will need a catheter if in order to remove endo on the bladder they have to cut it out (as opposed to shaving it off) - it will depend on how deeply infiltrating it is. If they cut it out your bladder will need time to head - hence the catheter.
I have interstitial cystitis and have been panicking about the prospect of a catheter for 10 days as it will just make my urethra so unbearably uncomfortable and it’s already a massive stress point for me. I talked things through with my consultant explaining this and he’s agreed to do a suprapubic catheter which comes out near the pubic bone and bypasses the urethra. Perhaps this may also be a good suggestion for you if you are worried also? Xx
Fwiw, my experience was similar to Jo's. It was the standard fit and I could barely feel it was there, it was an absolute godsend as I was so exhausted and woozy.
Yeah that’s pretty standard for a more in-depth endo op! It’s still pretty nerve wracking but actually having had a couple of laps where I have gone home afterwards and then a couple where I have had to stay in, it’s much better staying in - particularly if you’re struggling with anything they can really monitor pain levels and make sure everything is okay. Xx
I wish I'd had a catheter, they were satisfied with a tiny drop of wee and let me go home. On the hour long car ride (in rush hour traffic) I had to stop at a toilet every 5 minutes where my bladder spasmed so painfully that I thought I was going to pass out, and the pain didn't let up for 24 hours, and then was still bad for 2 months afterwards. I was honestly about to call an ambulance the pain was so bad because my bladder was full and wouldn't empty, I'd have taken anything over that haha x
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