Went for my Pre op today- 1st I ever heard of a catheter being used

[feedyoureye 3,087]

They kept talking about the "Foley". I guess it is a kind of catheter that they used on me. After they put it in, they fill a little balloon thats inside the bladder with Water that keeps it in place.

[2bslimkim 11]

Honestly, I am much more afraid of the catheter than the surgery at this point. I truly do not want a catheter, period end of conversation. I would much rather struggle to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom than have a catheter, no matter how bad the pain is. To respond to catheter or diaper question, give me the damn diaper! Its only for a couple hours, and I probably wont have to pee anyway.

I think maybe this is a much more touchy subject with men than it is with women, almost all women I talk to are like, oh so what, no big deal, but all the guys I talk to are like, hey dont be sticking that damn tube in my junk. I just flat out do not want it, and if it MUST be done, I want it taken out long before I wake up. I really think this could become a deal breaker with me.

I cant see where people would say its doesn't hurt, it has to hurt, not to mention is there bleeding and scaring in there after? No, No, Im in pain just thinking about it.

i'm not a dude nor have I been sleeved yet but I have had emergency Gall Bladder and appendix surgery and If they ever cath'ed me they removed it before I woke up. Just request that. I've had lots of surgery's between C-sections, Knee surgery x2, emergency Tubal Ligation, ovarian cyst removed, appendix, and gallbladder and I never remember having a catheter.

Also, one other note. My husband has passed several kidney stones and says to tell you that the Cath is nothing. He had to have a stint surgically inserted into his "junk" (to pass the kidney stones) and decided to get a vacectomy (spelling?) at the same time and he said it was all good under the right drugs...

[Lakelady 2]

If it's worth anything I was pleasantly surprised not to have a catheter a couple weeks ago when I was sleeved. I'm also a nurse and place catheters but have never personally had one. It wasn't a bother to get up and pee. i was pleased.

[doggz109 41]

Honestly, I am much more afraid of the catheter than the surgery at this point. I truly do not want a catheter, period end of conversation. I would much rather struggle to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom than have a catheter, no matter how bad the pain is. To respond to catheter or diaper question, give me the damn diaper! Its only for a couple hours, and I probably wont have to pee anyway.

I think maybe this is a much more touchy subject with men than it is with women, almost all women I talk to are like, oh so what, no big deal, but all the guys I talk to are like, hey dont be sticking that damn tube in my junk. I just flat out do not want it, and if it MUST be done, I want it taken out long before I wake up. I really think this could become a deal breaker with me.

I cant see where people would say its doesn't hurt, it has to hurt, not to mention is there bleeding and scaring in there after? No, No, Im in pain just thinking about it.

If something as insignificant as a catheter is keeping you from getting a life saving surgery.....then you flat out aren't ready to have surgery then. Re-evaluate what you really want. Seriously......there are much more important things to be concerned about with this surgery. And this is coming from a fellow guy.

[afdonn 1]

I had a foley catheter, the first thing when I woke from surgery I asked them to take it out, and they did. I was out when they put it in, and it was no big deal.

[optimistic 0]

I haven't had my sleeve yet, but was catheterized as recently as one month ago for a cardiac procedure (as well as several other times with the last couple of years). Believe me, it will be the least of your problems. It does not hurt while in. Nurse told me to be sure it was taken out at the dr.approved time, to avoid a bladder infection. You will barely notice it coming out (nurse described it as "feeling like you're about to pee"). No scarring, no pain, no infection. I have probably had 15-20 catheters in my lifetime, and you really shouldn't worry about it.

Honestly, I am much more afraid of the catheter than the surgery at this point. I truly do not want a catheter, period end of conversation. I would much rather struggle to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom than have a catheter, no matter how bad the pain is. To respond to catheter or diaper question, give me the damn diaper! Its only for a couple hours, and I probably wont have to pee anyway.

I think maybe this is a much more touchy subject with men than it is with women, almost all women I talk to are like, oh so what, no big deal, but all the guys I talk to are like, hey dont be sticking that damn tube in my junk. I just flat out do not want it, and if it MUST be done, I want it taken out long before I wake up. I really think this could become a deal breaker with me.

I cant see where people would say its doesn't hurt, it has to hurt, not to mention is there bleeding and scaring in there after? No, No, Im in pain just thinking about it.

[SFOTraveler 42]

I didn't have one for the sleeve surgery, which was great because I was also nervous about it, but I did have an epidural for childbirth and had to get a catheter then. The worst part was knowing what they were doing, even though I couldn't feel any of it. I think it is much more of a mental thing. Also taking it out didn't hurt at all. Just slid out. And at that point I had feeling down below.

[Billy363627 15]

I had a catheter the first day as well didn't really like it very much they took it out the second day. It was put in while I was sleeping. I don't think they put mine in right because it always felt like I had to pee..I finally told the nurse this thing has got to go..lol

[dlpfiff 0]

I agree with you. In order to be successful with this surgery, you have to be committed to do whatever it takes to make it work. If something like this is a deal breaker for someone, then they are not mentally committed enough to have the procedure done. Someone who is not fully committed, even if they have the surgery, is not likely to be successful after the surgery anyway.

[warrior68 16]

I agree with you. In order to be successful with this surgery, you have to be committed to do whatever it takes to make it work. If something like this is a deal breaker for someone, then they are not mentally committed enough to have the procedure done. Someone who is not fully committed, even if they have the surgery, is not likely to be successful after the surgery anyway.

Just because I do not want a catheter does not mean I am not Committed to this surgery, If you knew half of the fight I had to go through to get to this point you would understand that. I spent over a year battling Insurance for a approval, and finally won, and that's the short version.

I asked who else has had a catheter so I would know if it was 100% medically necessary, seems as though some say they had it, and some say they didn't, and there were some great post as to why they use the catheter.

With all that being said, I have spoke to my surgeon, he says its not negotiable, and it has to happen. I'm going to let them do it, but the last thing I will say before I go under will be, be careful and please no catheter if it can be avoided.

Just remember that what one person fears, the next may not, some people are afraid of heights, some are not, some people are afraid of spiders, others are not. Stop and think about what you say before you start to judge someone you dont even know, what their level of commitment may or may not be, and how successful they will or will not be.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Just because I do not want a catheter does not mean I am not Committed to this surgery, If you knew half of the fight I had to go through to get to this point you would understand that. I spent over a year battling Insurance for a approval, and finally won, and that's the short version.

I asked who else has had a catheter so I would know if it was 100% medically necessary, seems as though some say they had it, and some say they didn't, and there were some great post as to why they use the catheter.

With all that being said, I have spoke to my surgeon, he says its not negotiable, and it has to happen. I'm going to let them do it, but the last thing I will say before I go under will be, be careful and please no catheter if it can be avoided.

Just remember that what one person fears, the next may not, some people are afraid of heights, some are not, some people are afraid of spiders, others are not. Stop and think about what you say before you start to judge someone you dont even know, what their level of commitment may or may not be, and how successful they will or will not be.

I agree, all the best to you and your surgery!

[My Big Day 3/15/2011 4]

I think given your obvious fear of the catheter the doctor will still require it during surgery, which you will be asleep for and then since you are a male he will remove it before you wake up in recovery. You know why? Since you have a certain ability to use a urinal and not get up from the bed, then it will not be an issue for you to have to keep getting up to go pee. I know you are nervous about this part of your surgery, but you really shouldn't be, because I am certain the catheter will be gone before you wake up! I know this because I am a nurse in surgery and if you let your nurse and surgeon know your fear they will do your best to not have you wake up in horror with the catheter in. Hang in there and good luck with everything.

[dlpfiff 0]

I am not judging you and I am sorry if you thought I was. I was just commenting based on what you said yourself. You said it could be a deal breaker. I felt that if something like that would be a deal breaker and you were not at a point where you would do whatever you needed to do, then you had commitment issues. I am glad you decided it was not a deal breaker afterall.