Ok, so I have talked with my new insurance provider, and I think I know what I need to do. I have my first appt next week with my new PCP and I am waiting to hear back from surgeons office to schedule my first appt with him. Now I am starting to think about what it's going to be like after surgery. I would just like to know a little more.

• Do you have a catheter when you come out of surgery?
  
• If so how long does it stay in?
  
• I am very nervous about staying in the hospital after surgery as I have never had to be admitted to the hospital. Is there anything you wish you would have known? What is it like?
  

Thank you so much!!! I look forward to hearing from you all soon!!

Do you have a catheter when you come out?

Depends on the doc. I didn't have one at all. It seems that most people do tho.

How long does it stay in?

From what I've heard usually until the next morning. Sometimes once your awake and moving around.

How was the overnight hospital stay?

Not bad. Your on alot of meds so you tend to sleep alot. Just remember to get up and walk as much as you can. It'll pass the time and you'll feel alot better gas wise. Bring a pillow, the hospital ones tend to suck. And bring Chapstick because you can't have any Water until the next morning. I had never been admitted either. My hospital stay was unique to say the least (long story) but it was only overnight.

I didn't have a catheter in my surgery, I asked my doctor about it recently, and he said that he only puts them in if the surgery lasts longer than 3 hours. My surgery was only 2.5 hours. so I dodged a bullet.

As for the hospital stay, Take a couple pillows, and a blanket. Hospital beds suck, the mattress is very thin, and my butt was sore by the middle of the night. Put a couple pillows down and it will be much more comfortable.

Also, take chapstick, my mouth got super dry.

But all in all, it wasn't that bad.

I did have a catheter and it was put in during sirgery and removed the next morning. I was happy I had it- didn't have to get up to pee during the night. The bag kept filling up from all the IV fluids.

I agree with sparklette. My bottom was sore from that thin mattress.

Make sure you bring a pillow for the ride home! That was so helpful as the ride home was very painful.

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I'm still pre-op but I've had surgery before and stayed in the hospital for a while. It was mostly very boring. And I slept a lot. I was in for a severe leg fracture so walking was difficult. I had a catheter and was glad for it. I actually asked for it the first time. Bed pans are no fun. its not as bad as you might think. The worst part is laying there awkwardly as they put it in or take it out. But from what I understand if you have one they will put it in while you're asleep, and sometimes they remove it before you wake up. So you might not even have to worry about it.

The nurse told me I would have the catheter until the following day. I will be in the hospital for 3 days, the first night in ICU. That's just my surgeon's preference. He puts everybody in ICU the first night.

My surgeon told me no catheter is needed, the urge to go to the bathroom makes you walk as soon as possible which is good for gas pain; release is the next day for laparoscopic procedures, for open ones -3 days, if I am not mistaken. I agree with comments about hospital pillows, they do suck!