Living with total incontinence after prostatectomy

I had my prostatectomy 2 months ago, and still have total incontinence. I am still hoping this will improve, but until then, UCDs are in order.

I am posting this in hope of helping others in my predicament.

I found out real quick that I do not like diapers of any kind ( too much liquid flowing, too much squishiness when sitting, and too much stinkiness).

My solutions to date: (WARNING: contains some MALE specific terminology)

Summer daytime wear when not sure about bathroom availability (golf course?): texas catheter, snugged up a little with stretch wrap and tape (just in hope of preventing backflow for a few hours), draining almost sideways into a disposable urine bag, supported (hung) by a shoestring from waistband of underwear (a jockstrap works well), with same shostring tied around thigh to hold it in place, then urine bag is folded upward in half, secured by a small strap.

This can be worn with knee length shorts, needs to be emptied every couple of hours, and has lasted for 24 hours, although I usually remove and clean it before bedtime.

Wintertime wear (long pants) when not sure about bathroom availability, same texas catheter , but use a longer plastic tube to a urine bag strapped to the calf.

Daytime when bathrooms are available: a CVS pharmacy male guard (pad), folded in half over the penis head, wrapped securely with a couple bands of tape (1 near the head, the other at the shaft base). I use painters tape from LOWE'S... a lot cheaper than Johnson and Johnson products.
The tape helps prevent leakage and pullout. Wear this with BRIEFS. The adhesive on the pad, and the tight fitting briefs, and the taped sheath all work to prevent pullout. I drink about 60 oz daily, and these pads last 2 to 3 hours (a stretch). I watch the clock and change every 2 hours ... very little odor, no squishiness when sitting, not noticeable through outer wear.

Nighttime : Same pads taped into a sheath, but instead of regular briefs, I wear Serenity Tena brief style underwear, in case overflow happens.
Overflow rarely happens for me ... I tend to retain some urine when laying down, and I will awake with an urge to go every 2 to 4 hours ... the sheath will be pretty full, and will be changed at this time.

While all these solutions probably won't work for everyone, maybe they will be helpful to some. I don't enjoy being incontinent, but I can live with it this way if I have to.

Yes, KW, I have been doing Kegels after my 1 week catheter use, but I wasn't doing enough of them.
I started Biofeedback therapy 2 weeks ago, so now I have a pattern to repeat between therapy sessions.
She says 6 to 8 weeks before any noticeable change.... but then she hope to see exponential improvement (that would be nice).

Like you, we caught the cancer early (4.3 psa), all on left side, all surrounding tissue is clear. Glad to not need Chemo or Radiation, but my doc says my incontinence puts me at the bottom 5% of normal side effects.

Hey olslyfox ~ ‘So glad you’re with us!   Please feel comfortable to share as if you’ve always been here!   The more information you are able to share with us, the better your new friends on HealingWell can respond to you. Finally, a very warm welcome to you! Keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers. All the best,

Thanks for all your support.

Apart from the brief and vague instructions to do Kegels , my doctor gave me NO information on how to live with this problem (pad/diaper options, available cuffs, catheters, sheaths, recommendations, local suppliers, etc.). I was left to discover all this myself. I did get some ideas from the internet, including some info from other prostatectomy survivors.

So as I got some help from ideas gleaned from others, I am offering what little I learned.

It's great that we have forums like this for helping and sharing with others.