Foley Cathetar

I don't know for sure about j-pouch surgery but I would guess just like most surgeries that they would want to do it for sanitation reasons.  When I had my colectomy they put it in after I was under the anesthesia so the only pain I had was the removal which is only a few seconds.  I have actually had one inserted while I was awake and it caused minor discomfort for just a second or two so not sure about the too painful part.  Surely you can handle a few seconds for the improvements you are hoping for with the surgery.  I am not aware of any alternative.

John

Gargamel,

Like you I was really not looking forward to having a catheter when I was having surgery (I am sure you will have to have one--you usually do need one during any major surgery) BUT they will put it in while you are asleep and you will not even know it or feel a thing!! :)

When you wake up with it in, it really is not that bad--annoying, but not painful.  When they remove it, it only takes a second and is uncomfortable for only that second.

Don't worry I am sure you can definitely handle it.  Mine was removed 3 days after my ileostomy...it was annoying to have to walk to the bathroom with the line dangling between my legs and the IV line getting in the way when I had to empty my bag, but it is only for a short time.

I am sitting in my hospital room 11 days post total colectomomy and have both a ng tube and catheter. I have had the foley reinserted 2 times since my surgery.

I was prepared to jump out the window rather than experience this but came up with a solution that might help you. Ask your MD for a sedative prior to the catheter going in or out. I asked for and recieved IV Ativan and it made me totally relaxed. As it has turned out, the removal is completely painless-the fear is what creates the perception that it will be painful-its not. As far as the insertion, an experience nurse or md can do it without causing pain.

It's your body, ask for a sedative even though they will tell you no one needs one.

Now, as far as the NG tube, I had it insetred 1 week post surgery because my bowels were not waking and I vomitted. It was and continues to be the WORST part of this whole procedure.

Okay, I have read that there is an alternative to a Foley Catheter its called a Suprapubic Catheter.

Has anyone tried this and technically I could ask to have this instead of the Foley... It could be alot less painful.

G