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Posted 4/4/2011 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
After a RP how long does the catheter stay in?  I know it can vary, but how do they know when to take it out?  Can you go back to work with a leg bag?
Posted 4/4/2011 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
My cousin's husband just had his catheter removed at 5 days.  That's pretty early.  Ten days or two weeks isn't uncommon.  When you go  back to work would depend on the type of work you do, how you're feeling, your doctor's advice, and whether or not you have some baggy pants and feel comfortable with the idea.  Most guys take a couple of weeks off, at least.  It's major surgery, even though the incisions are very small with the robotic surgery.

Posted 4/4/2011 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I just see here how some people have to keep it in for 60 days or more. I didn't know what the typical time is. I can't be out of work for 60 days or more...well I guess I could if I had to, but it would be difficult.
Posted 4/4/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Mine came out at one week post-DaVinci.

How do they know when? Pretty much up to the surgeon's experience in the past. The stories related here go from "just took it out" to having tests and pressure checks. Ask your surgeon what his criteria is.

How soon to work? My surgeon suggests to plan for five to seven weeks off.

From my catheter experience, I would not advise trying to drive or go back to even a minimally active job before it was removed. You will probably be told by the surgeon not to drive as long as you are taking any pain medications - it qualifies as "driving under the influence" in most states.

Posted 4/4/2011 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Gleason,

Due to complications, my original catheter was in for 63 days. All together, I was on 21 different catheters, totalling over 1 1/2 years. You learn to adapt.

Yes, you could go out, you could work, etc,, wearing a leg bag. I remember going on several high level job interviews with a leg bag well hidden under an expensive suit.

Since I was a long term cath user, I bought these nifty swivel devices, where you attached the "Y" of the cath coming out of you. They would last for weeks. The swivel allowed the leg to move freely, and never pinched the tubes.

If you have any other cath questions, be sure to ask, this is one area that I feel I know too much about.

Good luck

David in SC
Posted 4/4/2011 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, 5-7 weeks out of work.
Posted 4/4/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Mine was in for 13 days. I was told not to drive until the catheter was removed.
Posted 4/4/2011 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
G6 -

Yes, you need to plan to be off work after either DaVinci or open surgery. The time will depend on how well the surgery went, how much they had to do, and how well you recover. As I mentioned, my surgeon advises that you should plan with your employer for five to seven weeks. You might be dry day one out of the catheter, but your insides have been scrambled, and need time to heal.

I've seen some mention of surgeons that put a ten pound lift limit on patients. Mine had me on a five pound lift limit for two months, then ten for at least a month after that (don't remember the exact timing).

Unless working remotely via phone/computer, I couldn't imagine being back at work in less than four weeks, but even then I was leaking so badly that I could not go back into an office environment at that point.

Posted 4/4/2011 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
mine was in 6 days.

It was a breeze taking it out.

I never even tried the leg bag. In all honesty I refused to leave the house until my catheter was removed.

My boss on the other hand came to work with catheter.

It all depends on what you want.
Posted 4/4/2011 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had my catheter in for 10 days and was basically house-bound during the time (except for going out for walks). The catheter was no big deal and it came out in the blink of an eye.  Unfortunately, the waterworks began in earnest and I had to wear a combination of a Depend mens diaper AND a pad to go back to work.  I was out for 3 weeks (desk job, but some traveling and presentations in customer's offices).   I really had to plan to stay dry and I (luckily) had no accidents  - but I eventually arranged with a physical therapist after 6 months for kegel training and now 17 months post DaVinci I wear no pads and am 99% dry. 
Posted 4/4/2011 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
7 days.
Posted 4/4/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
My catheter got hung up on a stitch so it couldn't come out until the stitch dissolved or at least weakened enough to break easily. This was discovered at week two when the doc first tried to take it out. I took it out myself a day or two later and felt the stitch pop.

Officially, I was out of work for four weeks. I went in a few times on my own when the office was closed to do some work, after I started driving. That way I could do what needed to get done at my own pace without others pulling me into staying longer or doing more than I should have done.
Posted 4/4/2011 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Both the open RP and Da Vinci specialists in my neck of the woods both leave it in for 2 weeks. Since I carried mine around in a bucket (the leg strap idea just didn't appeal to me) I sure as hell wasn't going anywhere for 2 weeks. After it came out, I could have gone to work (if I weren't retired) except for the part where I would have had to say "Hey boss, do you mind if I take a nap every afternoon for an hour or two? I kinda tired!"). That was my only issue, other than changing pads.
Posted 4/4/2011 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Ouch!
Posted 4/4/2011 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
i'm still taking naps every time I get a chance. I'm exhausted all the time.

Starting to wonder if I have advanced cancer everywhere or chronic fatigue syndrome. I know I don't, but i'm so tired all the time.

Gleason, the catheter is typically one of our biggest fears going in and one of the easiest things to deal with in the end. It's nothing as long as you take care of it properly.

You cannot drive with one in. That would affect going to work.
Posted 4/4/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
G6, I have no idea about the catheter question since mine was out before I woke up from my procedure.  However, since the topic of how long you might be out of work has arisen, I can  tell you that with seeds the answer is almost certainly less than 1 week.  I resumed normal activities within a couple of days...but I was on the light end of SE's.  Other seed guys have taken a few more days to reach a point that they could return to work.

Tudpock (Jim)

Posted 4/5/2011 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
I went in for the seed implants on a Friday morning early. They told me I would have a catheter in for the procedure but I was out before it was put in and it was out before I woke up. I went back to work on Monday like nothing had ever happened.
Posted 4/5/2011 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
On the driving part, since my original cath was set for 30 days duration, dr wouldnt let me drive, because he was afraid if i got in wreck, severe damage could be done at the bladder neck/urethra connection. once it was extended another 33 days after the 30, he let me drive, thinking a lot of healing at taking place at that juncture.

on the 51 weeks on the suprapubic cath, i was allowed to drive the entire time. I even got into minor wreck with my car during that time, but it didnt do any damage to the cath set-up.

always best to follow doctors orders on this subject, as the surgeon knows how a person is put together after surgery.

david
Posted 4/5/2011 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
I had the catheter in for 2 weeks and missed 2 1/2 weeks of work. I think the amount of time off of work depends on what you do. Heavy lifting is definitely a no-no for 6 to 8 weeks.
Posted 4/5/2011 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Mine was in for about 10 days; before the doc took it out he had them do a quick test where they fill up the bladder with a slightly radioactive solution and then they can check for leaks. I had a little trouble early on so I think he wanted to be extra careful; he doesn't do that with every patient. So the answer: it depends.
Posted 4/5/2011 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
G6

Had BT on a Friday morning. Went home Fri afternoon with no catheter. Could have gone back to work on Monday. Only reason I didn't was that I am one of those retired guys....went fishing instead.

Joe
Posted 4/5/2011 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Seems as if with the seed route, the cath is not a problem. I had the cath in for 8 hours after my biopsy and it really bothered me. I took it out myself. I'm sure it's small stuff (all things considered) and I don't think I could make a decision on what kind of treatment I would get based upon how long or if I needed a cath. Just good to get input to know what I could expect an be prepared. Good to hear the different scenarios. Also got some good info on different timelines of going back to work. Thanks.
Posted 4/5/2011 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
why did you have a catheter after biopsy?
Posted 4/5/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I had a template biopsy on a Thursday and the doctor said that he found a certain % had clots and trouble urinating after the procedure. He found that those who could not uninate had to go to the ER to get the cath put in. By putting in the cath after the biopsy, and leaving it in until the blood was clear it elimated the problems.
Posted 4/5/2011 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, I understand. Definitely best to avoid going to the ER for that.
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