Flying and incontinence..

What do you folks think could be the ramifications of a 10 or so hour flight on incontinence. I'm having mild incontinence post surgery and don't want to regress. I understand about the logistics, it is more about the ambient pressure changes.

Cheers, Doug

Shaba.Doug,

I understand your worry. I had a similar concern until a diver (with an interest in physics) here mentioned that the pressure on our bodies is almost the same inside as outside. We are pressure balanced. It makes no difference.
Back when I was leaking like a sieve I simply limited my liquid intake when I had to travel. That way I needed to change fewer pads.
Stay dry,
Jeff

Hey Shaba.Doug,

You sound like me!
Here is a post I made about one month after surgery. I was worried about the effect of pressure change in the other direction. You might enjoy it.
Incontinence - Physics question

I had 18 months to do all sorts of experiments in this area including: meds, different liquids, kegels, shock therapy, pad types and locations, activity level, clothing fit, etc. I discovered that, by far, the most significant factor for leakage was... wait for it... how much I drank.
When traveling I tried to stay a little over the threshold of headache.
It worked for me.
Good luck.
Jeff

For the purposes of the question at hand the important physical property of urine is its relative incompressibility. A liter of urine at normal atmospheric pressure will be a liter at two atmospheres or at ten atmospheres or at 1/2 atmosphere. It does compress somewhat. The difference in volume can be measured -- but it cannot be otherwise perceived. Your bladder, in particular, will see no change in volume from any likely change in pressure on an airplane...

Unless, of course, you still have a bit of air in your bladder from the catheter. The air would expand and might be a factor. But if you have lots of air in your bladder you tend to get penis farts at the end of each pee and you would know.

I used to fly all the time before surgery, (almost weekly) have only done so three times since, took a new job because of the issues the lack of bladder control. I used a clamp when I flew to make sure I didn't pee myself!

I would think the most significant aspect of being on the plane would be that you dehydrate a bit from the lower cabin pressure.

I go more often after RP due to impact on bladder but I'm fully continent. No problems with flying. Just get an aisle seat! Lol
Bob