Self-catheter removal after RALRP?

Hello Pura Vida 

It's becoming more and more common with surgery and I have read a few posts where people have done this with no issues.

I had a catheter for 10 months and my catheter changes were always at the hospital - simple and painless although the urology nurse did them.

Best wishes - Brian.

I did the self removal at home.  It was quite easy to do and painless.  Best of all it avoids having to sit around in the hospital for hours while you wait to pass urine.  I had a nurse on the phone to me whilst I carried out the removal to make sure everything went okay and she called me back a couple of hours later to check I was passing water okay. Easy peasy, I would definitely recommend it

Cheers

Dave

I'm due to remove mine on Wednesday.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Seems to be super easy...you just snip the tube, the salt water that is holding it in place drains out...and the catheter either just falls out on its own or you give it a gentle bit of help.  But will get back to you on Wednesday after I've actually done it!  They've given me an anti-biotic to take that morning, and then one that night after removal.  And that's it.

Thanks, Dave. It doesn't seem so daunting now. I would definitely like to avoid another hospital trip.

Thanks Mark5508. Nothing like having current first hand experience! I am a bit anxious because I did have a catheter once before, while in hospital about 18 years ago, and I don't think the removal was a pleasant experience at all. I remember it being short and sharp, and painful, unless my memory is playing tricks on me. No one has described it like that to me recently.

Good luck with your removal, and do let me know how you get on.

So, as promised....an update:  I removed the catheter about 30 minutes ago.  Incredibly easy.  You just snip it at the point where the main cable separates into two....at which point a trickle of salt water drains out of the cathether (it's been creating a bubble at the top to hold the catheter in place).  Once that trickle stops, you just slowly pull the thing out, ideally in one motion. I did not realise how long it would be, so ended up using two motions.  But it was smooth...no pain or irritation...and is now in my rearview mirror.

Obviously all catheters are not alike, so my instructions may be different from yours.  But self-removal, at least from my experience today, is not especially challenging.  But again, everyone's experience will be different and entirely valid.

Good to hear that it all went ok. Thanks for sharing your experience. Best wishes for a quick recuperation and return to good health.

Good luck to you on the 12th, as well.  Hope your recovery goes very smoothly.