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Posted 8/1/2011 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Two weeks countdown begins today to my husband's surgery on August 15th.  I've read over the "Really Useful List" posted here on this site.  I have a couple questions: 

Do I need to buy him adult diapers or just pads made for men?  What brands are best?

Regarding the catheter, will he be able to wear underwear?  (He is not comfortable without his snug briefs and tight jeans, but I know the tight jeans will be out of the questions for awhile. )

What to wear to bed at night with the catheter? (He normally just sleeps in his underwear.)

I see it's recommended to buy some zinc oxide cream to use with the catheter. We have a tube of Balmex (for babies) and it says it's zinc oxide.  Is that the right kind of stuff? 

I have a kitty litter plastic bucket that I thought would be good for holding the large catheter bag at night.  It's definitely not the size of a 5 gallon paint bucket, maybe it's more like 2 gallons. Would that be large enough?

Let me know any other recommended items.  I'm going to start making up a list of things to get.

 

Posted 8/1/2011 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
He will need to wear boxers with the catheter, I have never worn them before my catheter days, now, 3 years later got use to them.

Sleeping in his underwear is fine, especially with the boxers, that's what I did.

I spent a total of 2 1/2 years on 21 different catheters, and not once ever needed to put any creams or ointments on the tip of my penis. My uro didn't think it was a good idea, and nothing bad became of not doing so. The large catheter night bag has a hanging device on it, I simply hung it to side of the bed rail and that was that, or if a dressser drawer was handy, would just open the drawer slightly and hang it on their. Never saw the need to put the bag into a bucket as some do.

I have to use a big bag every night for life, due to having a urostomy, I just let the bag lay on the floor by the bed, with plenty of movement for the tube. I have never had one leak or come loose.

Good luck to your husband and his pending surgery.

David in SC
Posted 8/1/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
 First of all good luck on your husbands surgery on the 15th we are all hoping for the best outcome for both of you.

I bought the Depends pads all I needed and only needed for 2 weeks. I used one pad a day. I used Depends underwear/adult diaper at night just because the pad in my underwear was very bulky and uncomfortable. I was actually dry from the day the catheter was taken out at night and the Depends were just in case of an accident and I only wore them for 10 or 11 nights. For the post catheter days I bought my Tiddy Whiteys 2 sizes bigger than normal as the extra room made the pads much more comfortable.

During the day while I was at home with the catheter I wore some very comfortable 100% cotton lounge wear shorts with an elastic band and ties more like PJ's but shorts. I also wore these shorts home from the hospital. Your husbands stomach and waist will be swollen and extended past normal size from the surgery for at least the first week and the tighter Tiddy Whiteys may be way to snug for him. I also was given almost a complete box of Adult antiseptic wipes by the hospital when I checked out. My room nurse told me to take them as they would be thrown out anyway after I left. The wipes were great for cleaning my private parts and the area around where the catheter goes in. This area needs to be cleaned 2 to 3 times a day. No other creams were needed by me. They also gave us a full box of latex exam gloves to wear while changing out the catheter. My wife had to help me the first couple of days and she liked the gloves.

While the catheter is in and due to the surgery your husband will not be able to sleep on his stomach. I was told to sleep on my back or partial side and our bed was just too uncomfortable for the first week so I slept on the couch with back support and to keep me from rolling over on the catheter tubing while I slept. This also allowed my wife to get some much needed sleep undisturbed by me.

If you need any more information, please ask and again good luck.

Posted 8/1/2011 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
David has been lucky in at least one respect - his bag didn't pop open. Mine did several times, so I was happy that it was hanging in the bucket. Also, the clips/hooks on the bag were not as wide as the edges on the bed rail - was trying to avoid any more scratches/damage.

Last "advantage" was that is kept the bag upright so that the valve clogged up less often.

Any good household bucket  would do, even a short plastic trash can. Just something that does not tip over. Mine is 14 liters, and was more than big enough.

I was told only to use ointments that were water-based. I had polysporin, but never used it. Just wiped the tube with a wet washcloth very often to keep the crud to a minimum.

With the catheter, boxers are about the only option. I couldn't use them (bought the first ones just for this, gave them to the Goodwill new in the pack) because I had really bad bladder spasms, and leaked constantly and copiously around the tube. I used the Depends adjustable pants (i.e. they open on the side with a velcro-like tab) while I had the cath.

Slept in those as well - the spasms were 24x7.

After the cath was removed, I leaked so badly that I had to wear a depends pant with a male guard inside. If I changed the guard (pad) often enough, the pant would make it through the day.

Pants and pads are a whole discussion apart.

Depends are the best pants generally, in my opinion. Tena pants are slimmer and fit better, but are more delicate material, so don't take the tearing out of multiple pads very well.

Pads depend on the leakage amount and timing.

Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, and Target Affirm guards are all effectively the same. They hold a lot, so for me at the beginning, they were the best.

Depends guards hold less, but fit better. That is what I use most of the time even now.

Tena guards hold yet less, but fit even better since they are slimmer. I use them when I have to wear slacks or a suit and not look "bulky".

So I have all three types around.

They all come in 48-52 count packs.

If you are near Walgreens, check, because they often have sales, and the Walgreens Men's guards could be as low as $8.

Also, go to both the Depends and Tena websites. Both will send samples, and both have monthly downloadable coupons.

Posted 8/1/2011 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Boxers no workee on the day the cath comes out shocked   He'll need to bring his breifs.
Posted 8/1/2011 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hope for the best....I bought 'pads' and only used 1 pad! took the other box back and gave the other box away to a man that was having severe leakage issues at our local prostate cancer support group.

It is most likely on the list but get a bed pad to put under your husband just in case at night. My wife was glad I had it one night about 1 week after the cath came out.

Boxers or loose pajamas are what he will want as other have mentioned.

lewvino
Posted 8/1/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I just thought about one other thing to get your husband just in case your doctor has not already told you. The prescription pain meds he will get for the first day or two after surgery can cause terrible constipation, something he will not want after surgery.  Get a good stool softener, ask you pharmacy what they recommend for post surgery. By the afternoon of my second day I felt good enough to only take Tylenol for my pain.
Posted 8/1/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
I think either boxers or briefs will work OK.  I wore briefs from day one, both for the extra support they provide, and for the fact that the tubing from the catheter is also supported and held in a comfortable position by the underwear.  Briefs worked fine for me, but especially at night I wouldn't really have a preference.

I bought a box of Depends "diapers," for use after catheter removal, but never wore one.  I always wore the male "guard" style pads which fit in the front of the briefs and are held in place with an adhesive.

Also, I never used a bucket for the night bag, but I can see where it would really be a good idea if something happened to come loose during the night.  I also recommend a pad to protect the mattress, though I never actually needed it.  It's a good idea just in case. 

If you have any questions about catheter care, there are a lot of websites with illustrations, and they all say pretty much the same things.

Post Edited (clocknut) : 8/1/2011 12:22:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/1/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
here's my advice:

Buy extra soft tape. After showering, the tape holding the catheter tube may disintegrate. Likely he'll want to retape the whole thing so it stays clean and tidy. Good idea to shave all the hair off the leg he wears that catheter bag on. Can be painful to pull tape adhered to leg hair off. Of course, there are tapes that don't use adhesive. These just have to be tied a bit tighter.

You might also want to stock up on some larger bandages. If he's doing DaVinci, he will leave with 5 small incisions, and a larger one (maybe 2 inches) just above the belly button. I was fanatical about keeping the wounds clean and sterile as possible, but I still wound up with nice purple scars against a backdrop of pale white skin tongue

Good luck to you both!
Posted 8/1/2011 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Best wishes for a successful procedure. I am putting my list together for my surgery this Friday. I also bought some pet pads at Walmart to sleep on. They are 30" X 30". Hoping they will save the sheets if there is a leak. They were very cheap $6.00. I also bought a raised toilet seat just in case to make it easier to stand after use. It just sits on top of the toilet. If I dont need it, I will return it unused.
Posted 8/1/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
The raised toilet seat would have been more trouble than help for me.

What I did find difficult was the standard home toilet seat ( oval with no break). The U shaped seat would have worked much better, since the cath tube is dragging Willy to previously unknown positions while sitting there.

Posted 8/2/2011 6:51 AM (GMT 0)
Ditto to all that has been said.

I also found that wearing a pair of tracksuit pants with zips on the legs was great for accessing my bag when emptying (rather than pulling down your tousers).

My poor old willie did get a bit swollen though (testicles as well), but apart from that, I tolerated the catheter a lot better than I expected.

Good luck.

Posted 8/2/2011 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
As you can see, there have been different experiences for different men.  I took a lot of advice from 142 which was very helpful.  My husband wore basketball shorts to and from the hospital.  The hospital gave us a package of Depends ( adjustable pants (i.e. they open on the side with a velcro-like tab) with the catheter.  He also used them several weeks afterwards.

The briefs definitely did not work.  I bought some of these short lounge-type pajamas one size larger.  He was swollen and there was no pressure wearing these.  I read both here and the doctor mentioned wearing the night bag ALL the time.  Here is where the oval bucket came in handy.  He used it at night, and when he went outside for his walks he put the bag in it.  Those walks are very important.  He walked in the back and side yards.

No ointment was necessary, just keeping clean with the wash cloths.  He couldn't sleep in the bed, but spent 12 nights on the couch.  So, the bucket wasn't far from the couch and this worked perfectly for him.

You will get a list with all the necessary information.  Please be prepared to help your husband with his shower as he may feel weak.  Take everything the hospital will give you.  We had all sorts of bandages, and even a pad.

I wish your husband the best with an uneventful and fast recovery.

Aimzee

Posted 8/2/2011 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Sitting at my computer doing some business work this morning I am reminded of one other thing to consider getting for use when your husband goes back to work. With RALP he will have about a 2" incision just above the belly button to remove the prostate. This incision is just about where my Dockers pants waist band sits and when I wear a belt it still, 8 weeks post-op, irritates that incision when I sit. I have been wearing shorts and pants with just elastic waist bands (no belts)but in cases where I am with customers I have to go back to these uncomfortable Dockers.
Posted 8/2/2011 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Fish (! ?):

Regarding the catheter, will he be able to wear underwear? said...

My Advice (sorry just could not help myself after reading that question):

Semper ubi sub ubi !!


Also i ditto the advice about the high toilet seat (the ones with 4 adjustable legs and arm rests -- not the cheap donut ones that just sit on top of the regular seat ).

J
Posted 8/2/2011 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
This might have been mentioned all ready and maybe on the list...one thing that I found extremely useful was a tube of neosporin ointment. If you can find the kind with a pain reliever GET THAT ONE. When ever I would get sore from the catheter I LIBERALLY Used the ointment on the end of the penis where the Cath is. THe first tube had the mild pain reliever and the 2nd tube did not. Perfered the first tube!

Lewvino
Posted 8/2/2011 5:34 PM (GMT 0)

JStars said...
Fish (! ?):

Regarding the catheter, will he be able to wear underwear? said...

My Advice (sorry just could not help myself after reading that question):

Semper ubi sub ubi !!


Which is a Latin pun by JStars which means in English "Always wear underwear."  (In high school seminary, we always called our underwear our "sub ubi's."

 

In Latin class in high school, we also said that the cafeteria motto was "Fidem scit; idem scit"  (which literally means "He knows the faith; he knows the same," but which sounds like something else entirely when pronounced in Latin.  This motto can also be applied to many hospital cafeterias.

 

To specifically answer your question about the kitty litter box:  if it's like every one I've seen, it should work just fine. 

Posted 8/2/2011 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I used to be a fish- Just in case you missed the list we put together a while ago here is the link.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1717641

Alf
Posted 8/5/2011 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
The best of luck,and welcome to the club,I would have to add ,gas x,and  stool softners,the gas pains were a surprise,instant mashpotatos,rice ,sorbet were great after surgery!I would buy some pads for sure,I didn't wear any briefs,easier on cath.I needed the diaper pants after the the cath was removed,but only a few days.I'm two months out of RALP and down to 2or 3 pads a day!I send my best energy to you.

GAMMS

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