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Posted 6/6/2017 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
It's been almost ten months since my surgery. My incontinence has been steadily improving to the point where many days I can barely detect leakage. So today I pulled out a scale and measured a pad I had worn for 24 hours. The result? The used pad weighed 5 grams more than one just out of the package. Maybe I should ditch the pads. What does 5 grams of leakage in 24 hours mean to you guys?
Posted 6/6/2017 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
Since I still have stress incontinence, I wear one of those stick-on narrow pads and anticipate doing that forever.
Posted 6/6/2017 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Fiddlecanoe,
I was in a similar position with pads and then accidently forgot to put one in and didn't notice until that evening I hadn't. Haven't used one since. Personally I would try going without. It had a positive psychological impact as it allowed me to get back to where I was before the surgery... One less thing to remind me of PC.
Good luck.
Posted 6/6/2017 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
I too had a similar situation. I wore the thin pads for about six months after surgery, and finally decided to go "naked" one day, and it's been fine. I still have stress incontinence when I do certain things (reaching, or starting to move suddenly), but so far nothing that has shown through. I did bring spare pants to the office a few days at first! My doctor's instructions said that we often feel we're leaking more than we really are, and the psychological impact that samster describes above has been a real thing for me too. Knowing there's no pad seems to help keep me (relatively) dry.
Posted 6/6/2017 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am just wondering how many men use a thin pad as a security blanket.
Posted 6/6/2017 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Fiddlecanoe
I am 15 months out from RALP and still leak a few squirts occasionally, especially on long days or increased activity. For the past 10 - 11 months I've found a full sized paper towel folded twice works well. And a spare can be carried or found easily too. Sounds like you are doing well.
Best wishes ,
Mack
Posted 6/7/2017 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I am 3.5 years post RALP. I have stress incontinence which is unpredictable so I wear a thin pad. Last week, for instance, I was at work and realized after four hours that I forgot to wear a pad but was completely dry, while on other days I know that I needed that pad.

That's just the way it is.
Posted 6/7/2017 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I very seldom, but once in a while, feel a very brief squirt, two + years after surgery. But when I feel my underwear, it's dry. Definitely feels like a bigger squirt than it is.
I'm guessing you could probably go without pads. Try it on a weekend, when you are not at work. Wear briefs just in case.

But if you go commando, wear dark pants, just in case. ;-).
Posted 6/7/2017 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. It makes a lot of sense that when I squirt, it feels like more is happening than really is. So I'll just chance it pad-free for a while and see what happens. Dark pants are a good idea!!
Posted 6/7/2017 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am 8 months out from surgery. I was relatively dry once the catheter came out, but wore pads every day just in case. Early on I felt stress incontinence a few times, but nothing much showed up. On occasion I would feel a sense of urgency, but again, it wasn't severe and when I got to the bathroom the pad was dry.

I still wear a pad most days. Not sure why; maybe I just feel better knowing it is there. I've started going without pad on the weekends.

My advice is do what makes you feel comfortable.
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