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Posted 7/28/2012 11:31 PM (GMT 0)

Well I am starting to lean toward surgery after reading Walsh's book and a lot on info on the inter-net.

 

The one question or answer I don't see is more of a housekeeping one rather than a medical one.  Is there anything I should get for the protection of the bed mattress after surgery?  I know this may sound a little pity, but at least maybe I can get out of this thing without having to buy a new mattress.

 

Gary

 

BX 7/10/12

Gleason  3+3 score 6

PSA 13 (rise of 3 in 1 yr)

4 of 23 cores positive

Posted 7/28/2012 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Most of the major pharmacy chains carry the bed pads, same as the hospitals use, cloth on one side, plastic on the other. I did use one for the first week, just in case. They are inexpensive and useful to protect the beds. The also carry the more heavy, rewashable ones as well. These pads, combined with adult diapers, pads or whatever should be enough.
Posted 7/28/2012 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Gary,

Welcome to HW. As far as the bed goes, you may not need any extra protection if you are wearing a pad for example. But, for peace of mind, places like Walmart sell puppy training pads that are the perfect size. You can slip it underneath the sheet. You can typically find them in the pet section.

Posted 7/29/2012 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Gary,

If you need a new mattress, go ahead and get one, lol. After surgery, while you with catheter, you really don't need any special provisons. Once I came off the cath, did use partial waterproof pad, just in case there was an accident. Never did have one on the bed, but wanted to be safe anyhow.

Good luck ahead,

David
Posted 7/29/2012 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, get the bed pad. They're about $15 and you won't have to worry about it.

The less stress, the better.
Posted 7/29/2012 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
At six weeks post-op I am pretty incontinent but I have come to have quite a bit of confidence in the Depends (or similar) underwear. Get yourself a bed pad if you want to, but if incontinence is a real problem after the catheter comes out consider sleeping in Depends underwear.
Posted 7/29/2012 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
get the bed pad or depends but don't assume you'll need them for sure. If you do you do, but there is a nice chance you won't.
Posted 7/29/2012 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I believe it is correct to say that night time incontinence is the least of mst men's problems. Laying flat is a position which puts little stress on the bladder sphincter.

Now getting up to go to the toilet is another issue. I remember physically pinching it off with my hand to make it successfully. So maybe you need to get a plastic runner from your bed to the toilet. (just kidding.)

Sometimes guys try to over think some of these "minor" issues that never happen. But some men find comfort in being prepared.

For me, I found that it was just as easy to do little prep, and deal with the issues as they arose. Didn't have much else to at the time.

Good luck. May a damp matress be the very worst of all your problems.
Posted 7/29/2012 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all.

While I am not looking forward to the incontinence it does not look to be as bad as I imagined, at least for the majority of the cases.

Gary
Posted 7/29/2012 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Brother, It won't be as bad as you imagine.  You are going to pee on yourself at some point...I'm being as honest as I can here...After a week with my friend Fred (that is what I called that firehose shoved up my tee tee) and after the nurse takes him from you....Well lets just say I was very happy to walk out of there with a depends on. (I didn't think to bring undies on that glorious day)  I mean after all that you go though to get to there you won't be sweating the small stuff...No pun intended.  I kept wearing depends at night for a week or so after to save the mattress well...and then pads for a while after that...

Good luck...start kegals today...remember what it feels like to start and stop because you'll depend some on memory to help as you are getting back to normal..

and remember...before you know it you be good as new...AND no more staring at the wall in front of you waiting on the stream, in fact it's quite the opposite...you get used to unzipping as you walk but its' still all good. yeah

Prayers going up...

Hawk

 

Posted 7/29/2012 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gary, We have all been where you are right now. I went out and bought a couple of box of mens pads, didn't not need one of them, had to throw them out.
The wife bought the mattress protector, again not needed. Perhaps just get a towel on stand by, for the night times.
I must admit I was one of the lucky ones, as far as the water works was concerned, basically dry from day one.
You will need however, to keep some thin ladies pads on hand for the first week or two, unfortunately until you master the shut off sequence when laughing or coughing, you may get a dribble or two. Good luck mate, I also had surgery [robot] and have never looked back. Cheers Kev;.
Posted 7/29/2012 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
I was not one of the lucky ones after surgery, but my biggest surprise came when I was preparing to take my first shower. My advise is to have something on the floor under you to catch the dribble as you get ready. I thought I had prepared for everything, but I neglected to think about that. Luckily, the floor was made of tile and cleanup was easy. Another thing you learn is the fact that you are constantly producing urine, especially immediately after you finish voiding, so be vigilant if you do experience incontinence. Like the everready battery bunny, it just keeps going and going especially after drinking coffee or alcohol. Best of luck with the surgery.
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