1. Driving with a catheter? 2. Why no dairy or carbonated drinks? 3. Is the prostate removed whole?

Hi Maria Teresa,

Well, the day is almost here. Rod will be in such good hands. Our thoughts and prayers will be right there with he and you.

Your questions.

Now Paul drove with his leg bag. Within a couple of days of surgery he just HAD to go run an errand. He drives a big truck so I wasn't concerned as to whether he could get in and out of the vehicle. I was more concerned with him straining himself. Not much I can do other than tie him down so, he went.    After that he pretty much drove himself when ever he took a notion.

As for fizzy drinks. Carbonation is gassy! Some of the worst tummy aches are the result of patients drinking soda after too soon after abdominal surgery. That may not feel so good so lay off the soda for a few days after and a day or so before. The pain it may cause wouldn't be worth it. Dairy takes longer to digest. That one is a given. A couple of days either side should be good. Antibiotics are given to surgery patients and as we know, that some times causes loose stools for days. Dairy may make that worse. Don't want any tummy cramps :>(

As for the prostate. There are 5, sometimes 6 small (maybe an ") incisions. One of those is made a little larger (about 2") to pull the prostate through after its been bagged (yes, it is bagged). The organ is removed whole. Hope this helps.

Swim

Maria Teresa,

Just to chime in a bit with Swim and Idaho:
1.  I wouldn't drive much for the first week after surgery as roads are a little bumpy.
     It is not just the catheter that is the worry here.  There are a lot of sutures in the
     pubic cavity that are mending and they need time!  (Walking is good.  Lifting is bad.)
     But some of our physicians leave the catheter in longer and after 7 days I was encouraged
     to drive as I felt like it.  (I wore the catheter for 21 days.  My physician likes to
     support the sutures on the urethra with the catheter tube while they heal. 
     He refers to this as his "superstition," but his team actually have a patent pending
     on some secret technique here....)
2.  Before surgery I can understand any diet restrictions.  Anesthesiologists will cancel 
     any major surgery if the patient ignores these rules. After surgery -  say two days
     if your digestive tract is "working,"  I don't understand the restrictions.
     I've had a lot of major surgeries and the main rule was afterwards to start slow.
     During and after any general anesthesia, they watch for anything that can cause
     nausea or gas until you're back up to speed.  Also, your husband might have other
     health reasons for these restrictions  (e.g., a history of kidney stones).
3.   For the most very important accurate post-surgery biopsy:
     THE PROSTRATE MUST BE REMOVED WHOLE!  While surgeons that do more surgeries
      have more practice and should be better surgeons, this is the danger for rushing
      to do so many a day that surgeon makes an unintentional incision in the prostrate.
      This makes the pathologists crazy.

I was writing in my journal this morning about expecting unimagined and inexplicable blessings.
I'm imagining a train-car load of these for you and yours!  _;->

Your Friend,

C^Cedar
ICTHUS!

Hi mariateresa. I usually do most of the driving. The cath hurt when the tube pulled so bad with any small movement. I didn't feel like driving with it in. Moving the brake and gas and moving my right leg pulled the tube. Please don't let him drive while he is taking any narcotics for pain. He doesn't want to have a wreck, that would be terrible and even more painful. Just tell him to cool his jets, real brave men let their wives drive them around sometimes. Just till Mr. Hang comes out. Gas is bad and anything that causes it or constipation should be avoided. Gas pains were the worst pains I had.

Good luck

Mika-mvesr

As I am retired and didn't have any where I had to be except the Dr's office for Mr. Hang's removal I didn't drive for 14 days. Twice my wife took me out to meet some friends for dinner and once to the Dr. office. When I did start driving I had no pain and was not hampered in any way. I suggest your husband wait at least until the catheter is removed. As for milk or dairy products they I was told they have a tendency to cause constpation and you sure don't want that at this time. Uncle Dan