I'm really freaked out that I might have to use a bedpan or get a catheter during my surgery.
Did anyone get the option to just pee in the loo?

It is not uncommon to have a Foley catheter inserted into your bladder, if you are having general anesthesia and are under for more than four hours, and if you will be bedridden post-surgery.

The good thing is that it is inserted after you are unconscious (usually).  The bad this is you feel like you have a garden hose hanging out of your groin.

Talk to your doctor about what s/he usually does in these cases.

I'm catheterized until the swelling goes down a little (hopefully just a day or 2) it's not too bad really but just feels funny in the bladder and have to do some simple things to keep the peri area clean.

If it's done in hospital the nursing assistants will know how to clean you while feeling not so clean like using wash cloths and some no-rinse peri clean spray (especially important to clean BM from the site).

The amount of time it'll be in dwelling depends on the type of surgery and how long swelling is projected to be if it's bottom surgery. It's important to move your legs and feet around to avoid complications of being in place too long.

I just had a hysto .... and had a cath in when I woke up ... once I was awake enough and walked around the nurses station they took it out -- wasn't too bad

I didn't have one for top surgery, but had a catheter for both my stages of lower surgery so far. For me, having the catheter was the worst experience and pain that Ive had so far in transition (more so than any of the surgery wounds themselves). And its definitely up there on the list of worst discomfort Ive ever felt. Some people don't find it bad at all, but for me, it was awful. And having it taken out, though it was only a split second sensation, was so horrible!

~A bit late , but I figured I'd share my experience as well, for the sake the next guy wondering and also, googlers. :p



After my hysto this spring and my recent top surgery, I woke with a catheter. While it was never mentioned on beforehand (on? in? suddenly, language derp), I had assumed it would be there, so there was no surprise. For me, the worst part would have been the insertion, and as that was done after I was out, the catheter never bothered me. Also, it was a relief to be able to wake up and not have to deal with a bedpan (been there, hated that, hope never to experience it again!) or having to get out of bed before feeling ready.

After the hysto, it was removed while i was in the recovery area, shortly after I was awake enough to sip some tea, have a small bite of food, and assure the nurse that I felt able to stand on my feet for a moment (I didn't put it to the test until after it was out - phew, I was right XD )

After the top surgery it stayed in a little longer, until after I had been in my own room for a while. I think I took a bit longer than usual to wake up, and was drowsy for quite a while after that. I honestly can't remember if I had a go at standing on my own before they removed it this time, or if they took it out first.. In any case, I don't think I had it in for more than an hour after returning to my room.

While the removal felt awkward and very uncomfortable it was over quickly and soon forgotten. I was glad I didn't have to keep it for long, because I always feel like I "have to go" a little when I have a catheter in. I had one for quite a bit longer after a surgery 20 years ago, and because of that feeling I was always worried my bag was full and that it would have messy consequences. >.> 

(Since experiences vary, I think I should add that I don't have all that much bottom dysphoria, and naturally this will play a part in how people experience this. For instance, I didn't have much issue with gyno exams (for comparison, I can't decide which is worse, that or the dentist.. well the dentist hurts more, I guess). The awkwardness of the situation up until I'm alone with the doc is a lot more stressful for me than the exam itself.)

Ah, good thinking John Smith, those last points are probably good to mention for comparing different experiences.

I had the catheter in for 3 days the first stage, and then 4 days the second stage.
  My bottom dysphoria was the most extreme I could probably imagine, so, that made it all a million times worse.
   Like I said, worse than all the gruesome surgery itself.

One thing that made it all pretty awful almost constantly, was I had those things (don't know the name of them, so excuse my "technical" terms), on my legs that pump and squeeze continually to keep the blood flowing. Since the catheter tube would rest on one of them, I felt the vibrations of this jolting through the tube.
  Oh man, Im not looking forward to doing it again! :p