Incontinence Subsiding

Hello All,

I stumbled onto this site last January about a month after my surgery. I was suffering from severe incontinence and was googling on that subject. At the time I was using 10 to 12 super absorbent pads per day, but was able to control leakage when seated or lying down. To say the least it was very disheartening.

I learned a lot from this site, some folks with problems worse than mine and some far more fortunate. Much of what I found here offered me hope that with time and patience the incontinence would subside. I give my heartfelt thanks to everyone I was able to obtain information from.

In March of this year I started using the Afex incontinence system (I learned about it from this site) which cut down on the number of pads I was using. I would have to empty the bag about every 2 hours but it was better than all the pads I was going through. Over time I began to realize I didn't have to empty the bag as often.

At this time, more than 7 months after surgery, I still wear the Afex system at work and a pad when at home. I only empty the bag on the Afex system after I get home from work and there isn't much more than a dribble in the bag. At home I use only a single pad in a day.

Last night was the first night I went to bed without any protection. I was nervous and didn't sleep well, worried that I might stain the bedding. Happily I made it though the night and continued without protection in the morning until I had to go out.

I offer this story in the hopes that it will bring hope to others with a situation similar to mine. I believe I will soon be able to give up my security blanket (pads and Afex) and be able to get in a hot tub or go swimming. Those of you who are at the beginning of the incontinence journey, try to be optimistic, do your kegals, and with luck you will succeed.

Thanks again to all I was able to glean hope from that allowed me to beat this phase of the PC beast.

Bob

Bob:

Congratulations on your progress.  I am envious.

While our da Vinci operations took place around the same time, your progress from incontinence has been much quicker.  As a matter of fact, I don't believe that I've experienced any progress whatsoever.  Still oozing 40 - 50 oz. per day.  Living in SW Florida, I do not attempt to limit my intake of fluids, such as water when playing tennis.  Like you, I do get some relief from the constant wetness of the pads by wearing the Afex system (not while active with a sport).  It certainly doesn't solve the problem, but it has been helpful.  I plan to continue to struggle with this incontinence problem at least until January.  Assuming no progress, I'll look at hard harder at an implantable device. 

pa69 said...
Hello All,

I stumbled onto this site last January about a month after my surgery. I was suffering from severe incontinence and was googling on that subject. At the time I was using 10 to 12 super absorbent pads per day, but was able to control leakage when seated or lying down. To say the least it was very disheartening.

I, too, was using 10 to 12 (sometimes 15) super absorbant pads daily during the period immediately following my da Vinci surgery, and that situation continued for about the first three months.  I'm now 9 months post-op and down to 1 (rarely 2) lighter pads daily.  I walk a lot, drink a lot of liquids, and have returned to about the same lifestyle I enjoyed pre-op (with ED issues being the only exceptiion).