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Posted 9/20/2015 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
As the date of my surgery gets closer I remain focused and really looking forward to getting on the other side with this thing. All posts read here are most informative and very helpful.
Having RALP at MSK and feel confident I've made all the right choices so far.
As far as the after care goes some posts say Depends, some say Tena pads. Any reason to get one over the other?
Thanks all
Posted 9/20/2015 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! Welcome to HW PCA forum,
Perhaps you could tell us more about yourself by creating a signature.
Looking f/w to your intro...
Posted 9/20/2015 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
jdsky - i used the depends and they worked fine. The type that are like underwear. At some point, you'll graduate to the "shields" which just go inside your regular briefs. Hopefully that will happen quickly for you.

You've made good choices in terms of treatment and surgeon, you will get this, and be in good shape before you know it.
Posted 9/20/2015 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I never used the briefs. I used the thick pads inside my underwear after the catheter came out for a few weeks, then went to the depends shields.
Posted 9/22/2015 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Get plenty of DVD's for the recovery period, take as many walks as you can and don't let the dog play with your catheter bag (mine was fascinated by it)
You'll do great,
Mike
Posted 9/22/2015 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Best wishes for you.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 9/22/2015 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
In rank of most to least absorbent:

- Walgreens Certainty Guard
- Depends Guard
- Tena Guard
- Depends Shield

There were a few years that I was able to use the Tena, but now am back to the Depends Guard.

You can send off to both companies (Depends and Tena) for a free sample kit. They will come with substantial coupons off a future purchase.
Posted 9/23/2015 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
All the best to you on your upcoming surgery. After the catheter was removed, I used the Depends underwear, which worked very well. After a few weeks I graduated to the underwear liners for another couple of months.
Posted 9/23/2015 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
The other consideration is you might be fully or almost fully continent when your catheter is removed - that was my situation. I asked my wife to load up on all of the recommended supplies (briefs, underwear pads, pads for the bed, etc) and she donated most of it to a local agency.
Posted 9/23/2015 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Good point!

I was almost dry, just a drip or two here and there for little more than a month before I regained control. I made it on a single box of "light" panty liners. smhair
Posted 9/23/2015 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
A tips. Do your Kegel exercises. It really works! I did it a lot the weeks before the surgery and was dry the day the catheter was removed. I haven't needed to use any pads at all.
Posted 9/23/2015 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
I bought both, used two pads and did not need to use any more. I did the Kegel before as well and think they help. The only time I have ever had any problems is in lifting and sometimes with a sneeze. Good luck on the surgery, I know I was glad when it was over.
Posted 9/24/2015 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Do yourself a favor, since you are already at MSK. Make a pre-surgery appointment with Dr. John Mulhall to discuss erectile rehab. Also get his book (linked in my signature below). You'll be glad you did.

Gedman
Posted 9/24/2015 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
sorry about the following, but every time I see the title of this thread I remember my father's joke:

"As the monkey said when he caught in the lawn mower, it won't be long now."

Andrew
Posted 9/25/2015 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Practice starting and stopping stream now so you know develop a "feel" for it. Do kegels to tighten up muscles preop.
Get your stuff in order and although you may recover quickly one never knows.
I bled postop and was out of commission for 5 weeks.

Oh yes, stop and enjoy life now. It becomes much more dear when you have a life changing event like PC. Have some quality sexy time too
Dave
Posted 9/25/2015 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't get anything before the catheter out. You don't know until it's out. They gave me an adult diaper of some type before getting the catheter out. Lucky that there was not any big leakage. Stuffed some tissues in my underware for the ride home and got some shields that I had to use for a month or so. Never needed to use more than one a day. Don't know what makes it better for one person over another. They say doing the kegels pre op helps but I didn't hear that till after operation an did not do any before. Good luck.
Posted 9/25/2015 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
The surgeon's skill plays a large role in avoiding post op urinary leakage. Same as for avoiding positive margins, experienced and skilled surgeons have better results.
Posted 9/26/2015 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Had the same concern. Bought a pkg of Tena briefs and a box of Depends Shields before Foley removal. Wore briefs home after cath removal and for a few days until I figured out what's what. Tried shields inside boxer briefs during the day and found that worked fine. Still wore Tena briefs at night for a few nights (to be safe) and found I really didn't need. Am only 3 weeks post surgery and do not use Tena anymore. I change the Shields 3-4 times a day and have not had any wet marks on boxer briefs at all. Doing Kegals and happy with progress. My problem is I feel a drop and worry it is more. Still getting used to the whole thing. It's not nearly as bad as I feared.

Paul
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