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Posted 5/30/2015 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm new to this forum (...Hello all...). My prostate was removed using Da Vinci system on April 22. I'm in my fifth week of recovery and, so far, I'm happy with my progress back to continence. At the present time, I can usually get through the day on a pad or two, and only need one pad to get through the night. I haven't traveled by airline since my surgery but will soon. All comment or advice on the following is welcomed:

1. Any issues going through an airport security body scanner wearing incontinence underwear or pads (e.g. questioned, private screening, etc)?

2. Advice on dealing with post-surgery incontinence on long-haul international flights.

3. The name of a common retail shop in the Netherlands that sells Depends-like incontinence products.

Thanks.
Posted 5/30/2015 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Boyd,
Welcome, sorry that you have to be here but glad that you found us. I can't answer questions 2 or 3, but there is no issues or worries going through security wearing pads, or inconenent underwear. I traveled for work all over the country and flew on a weekly basis for years including when I first had my surgery. I eventually stopped due to issues working and my inconetnace but traveling was no big deL, I brought extra pads, underwear and pants just i case, never had to use the latter just pads. Good luck on your road to recovery.
Posted 5/30/2015 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Paul
Posted 5/30/2015 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Boyd, welcome to the forum, glad the surgery is behind you and you are progressing satisfactorily.

I had surgery in January and took a 4 hour flight to Vegas in April. I was no longer wearing pads. My only issue was when I had to go pee, I REALLY had to go. So the one piece of advice I'd give you, is get an aisle seat, just for convenience.

I remember before surgery I asked my surgeon, if I would be in good enough condition to go to a concert 5 weeks after surgery. He laughed and told me that 5 weeks out, I won't have a problem getting on a plane to Florida.

Hope that helps.
Posted 5/30/2015 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Boyd
No problems at all going through security wearing a pad. If you are worried about it I would change your pad before going through so its dry. I still wear them 18 months post surgery but for minor stress incontinence. Have fun on your trip.
Posted 5/30/2015 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I appreciate all the comment and advice. I travel between Houston and Amsterdam 2 or 3 times a year, and work in the Netherlands for up to 3 weeks during each of those trips. It's a 10-hour non-stop flight between Houston and Amsterdam. My plan is to have an aisle seat booked, board the plane with a dry pad on, and have extra pads in carry-on luggage, along with some zip-lock bags. Not worried if I need to change a pad in flight, but those waste bins in the toilets are usually full toward the end of that flight. I'll pack out the old pad in a zip-lock bag if necessary.

There's a pharmacy chain in the Netherlands called Kruidivat. I'm hoping there's a Dutch forum member who'll confirm that Kruidivat carries incontinence pads, or where I would go about buying them if needed.

Thanks.
Posted 5/30/2015 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Boyd, you can probably find out if they carry what you need, here, assuming you speak the language....

/www.kruidvat.nl

I also found this thread on another forum.....

/community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/netherlands/diapers

Which says ... "The Dutch word is Luier.
You can purchase them in supermarkten (supermarkets) Like Aldi, Plus, Albert Heijn, C1000, etc.
Alternatively you can find them in drogisterijketens (drugstore) not pharmacies. Like Etos or Kruidvat."
Posted 5/30/2015 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have issues with carry-on. I'll normally go through several pads on just a few hour trip (uro says it is pressure, and I'm not in great urinary shape to begin with). Problem was that the wad of pads presents a generally "unknown" picture to the screeners. I've been stopped for a bag check a lot, and it is the pads that they wind up looking at.

I would NOT carry off the used pads. Make room in the trash. The dogs at the customs area will pay undue attention. Been there.
Posted 5/30/2015 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
hi Boyd,
Welcome to the HW forum
Moving up this thread for your question on pads retailers in Netherlands.
Posted 5/30/2015 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for the continued comment & advice. You guys are stars. Great forum, glad to be a part of it, I hope to be able to give back some day.

yk, thanks for the bump. Hopefully a Dutch forum member will see this thread in around 5 hours Sunday morning their time with advice on where to buy pads in NL.
Posted 5/31/2015 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Boyd, I flew to Thailand -10 hours to Tokyo then 6 hours to Bangkok -8 weeks after prostate removal and no problems. Just get an aisle seat and sleep a lot. Don't worry about it. However, finding pads Outside of the U.S. Was a problem.
Posted 5/31/2015 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jimo48, your experience and advice for dealing with a long-haul flight gives me confidence.
Posted 5/31/2015 9:52 AM (GMT 0)
I've just completed my first (short haul) flights since surgery in February. I took aisle seats near the back of the aircraft, figuring that my odds of being between the drink cart and the restroom were good. No issues. In fact, yesterday, I didn't think to put a shield in, and I did fine without it.

DO make sure you use the airport retroom just before boarding time. The half-hour or so for boarding, take off and initial climb are not good times to access the restroom on the plane.
Posted 5/31/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am from Houston and did the same route you did several months after surgery. I did get the aisle seat and went to the bathroom every couple of hours if needed to or not. Toward the end of the flight, there is always a line at the bathroom. Also, I kept hydrated with water and avoided caffeine. Not sure if needed to but I laid off of the cokes, etc
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