Well I just had my spinal fusion

I have been in the hospital for four days in excruciating pain. The nurses come in to change my diaper about every two hours cuz fluids are going right through me. Most of the nurses are very caring and understanding. My fiance is a bit jealous that they are touching my ceotch to wipe me up but she understands that I need the help. I thought that being in recovery and getting changed was going to be nice but it is the exact opposite. Everytime i have to roll my back spasms and the pain is debilitating. And i also feel very vulnerable and humiliated to have these pretty nurses changing a grown mans piss soaked diaper. In a perfecr fantasy world Im sure I am living the life but honestly I cant wait to get home to my fiance and puppy and sleep in my own bed. My roommate here is slowly dying and its hard to ger any sleep with him constantly weezing a gurgling

Wishing you speede recovery been through same op it is hard at first but gets better bit by bit

I hope you start to feel better soon. Given what you have said is going on, why on earth don't they just put a catheter in you?

Because I denied a catheter. The nurses are very helpful. I am almost good enough to change myself. Im just worried because I havent had a bm since thursday and they are giving me stool softeners and mild laxatives so when it does come I am afraid I wont be able to get up auick enough. As the catheter goes I had one in during the surgery. It was a 6 hour surgery due to a complication where my itubation tube was in wrong so i was not profusing properly.

Also the diapers I have aeent the best they are Kendall Wings so in the middle of the night i have soaked the pas under me but the nurses really like me sk they dont mind. They say its seldom they get a young guy to take care of one of them i heard whispering how cute i was lol. Its a va hospital so they mainly deal with geriatrics

There are external catheters (condom caths) that can be used on men. If put on correctly the urine is collected in a bag like a foley catheter but there is no catheter inserted into the urethra. This would keep you clean and dry without the necessity of changing a diaper every 2 hours and the risk of infecting or contaminating the incision line with urine.

Is there a reason that they did not suggest this once you refused the internal catheter?

Which are better condom caths or inserted caths?

If you just in bed or not very active condom works better

Guzzy, if you where in a va hospital, I thank you for your service. I completely understand your pain. I'm sure your situation is worse than mine was. I don't think most people don't understand how much pain is envoled, it's not just a simple back pain. I've tried the exterior catheter, it sucks going around carrying a per bag on your leg. For the internal one's, shoving a tube inside you and changing it every three days. I'll have a diaper strapped me instead. I feel for you my friend, hope things are going well.