I am a female and am having my takedown surgery on June 16. For step one (removal of colon, creation of temporary ileostomy) I had a catheter for the first few days of recovery in the hospital.

Does anyone remember whether they had to have a catheter for takedown and, if so, for how long?

Thanks!

HI
I also had a catheter after my first procedure. I has a very difficult time going after they removed it. They sent me home with equipment and instructions on how to straight cath myself. Not alot of fun. Ended up with a bladder infection. But all worked out in the end. Hope all is well with you otherwise. I am about a year out and life NOW is wonderful.
Lilly

I don't rememeber having a catheter for takedown.

I did not have a catheter for takedown.

Sue

I think it could depend on whether you have epidural or not. I got epidural for my takedown and therefore I had to have a catheter for two days also. But I think most people get morhine instead of epidural at takedown.

I didn't have a catheter at takedown either.

I did have a catheter at takedown, even though I pleaded not to. They pulled it at 5 a.m. the next morning, when, like always, it would get backed up. I think catheters are the second worst invention, beaten only by NG tubes.

I don't remember if I had a catheter...but what is the problem? I always appreciated not having to get up to pee.

I had catheters for the first and second surgeries but not for takedown.

kathy

Hey Marcene, Jan can probably say more, but catheters are one of the biggest sources of hospital-acquired infections--the federal government's hospital-regulating agencies are starting to require hospitals to do a lot more documenting of when and why they are used (and therefore use them less) as a quality-control measure.

I had one after Step 1 (two weeks ago, so I can't say about takedown). I did appreciate not having to get up, but that's not really such a great thing either--they want you moving around to prevent blood clots, pneumonia, etc. And as little as I felt like it at the time, they were probably right!

I seem to recall I did have one, but only for a day or so. I always have trouble emptying my bladder after anesthesia. Rather have it put in in OR than get straight cathed later.
LoriP

I had a catheter for takedown, but I didn't have a bad time w/ it... probably considering I found out they didn't put it in correctly!

I was passing urine, but not at the rate they wanted. I had it for step one as well, but had no problems w/ it either.


But I will agree w/ Lisa on the NG tube!!

The wonderful (gag) experience of an N/G tube, I have had 3, goes without saying.

I had a foley for the TD for 24 hours. They put it in during the surgery. I appreciated that 'extra' day even though I was out of bed. Having it out the next day made it easier for me.
Not the most pleasant experience but I was better able to move around AND use the bathroom after 24 hours. I have had worse things done to me.
Jennifer

I do not think I had one for takedown. It is such a shorter procedure. I could be wrong, it has been a year.

I woke up from the takedown with a urinary (Foley) catheter but didn't need it after the first day....because they wouldn't let me get up and walk even though I felt great and wanted to! This was a far cry from the 1st surgery when i, too, had urinary retention for months and needed to self catheterize. Surprise!