Hello and welcome to the club!  From what I remember, there was no real issue with the catheter coming out.  I did have a drain with both my 1st and 2nd surgeries and remember that as being painful when they took it out, but quick.  When I had my takedown, I didn't have a catheter or drain, just packing at the incision/stoma site that was also painful when removed but not as much as the drain.  My procedure was completed in 3 steps.  There is a lot of information at this site, so if you have questions, plenty of people can assist you.  I am new to this also, 3 mos. since takedown, doing well, but still adjusting.

Hi,

I am a male and can tell you that there is only very momentary discomfort with the catheter removal. I had my surgery done at Mt. Sinai in NYC in 1992. At that time I was still in my 20s. On the date of removal, because Mt. Sinai is a teaching hospital, they sent in a very young attractive female medical student to do the deed. She politely asked me if it was acceptable for her to remove the catheter. I said to her, "you ever done a catheter removal before?" She laughed and said she had done many. I told her that is all I needed to know.

She pulled it out quickly and there is a burning sensation for a few seconds as it comes out. I think the mental anguish of waiting before it comes out and anticipating that quick burst of burning sensation is almost as bad. If you ever had a Q tip inserted and removed into the urethra  to test for urinary tract or other infections it's a somewhat similar sensation to that as it comes out.

Sorry, not male, but my husband went through this during a different procedure and didn't seem to have any reaction that I can recall.  I recently had a Cystoscopy, for bladder issues, and that was definitely more painful.  They numbed the area with lidocaine, but still felt it.  Glad when it was over.

Minimal discomfort.  But. . . . The longer it's in the more discomfort .  It wasn't as bad or near as bad as I thought it would be.  I even had one put  in while awake but the nurse must have done it alot.  No discomfort at all. 

Richard . 

Hi KC, welcome.  I'm the mom.  My son was 23 when he had his colecotomy.  Such a difficult surgery especially on someone so young.  I feel your anxiety!  My son was so happy when that darn catheter came out!  He felt it hurt more while it was in.  The worst part for him was dealing with the Ostomy.  He hated it and refused to have anything to do with it.  But he got through it and had his takedown three months later.  Keep ahead of the pain is my best advice.  Good luck �� 

dianne