Request for diapers

I was just wondering if you can request to use diapers instead of a catheter. The last time I went to the hospital for surgery I woke up with a catheter in, but its very uncomfertable I would so much rather wear a diaper.

I think it may depend on the hospital

I don't have any experience in this. But I think if you explained yourself and that you were not comfortable, they would. I think in some cases they have to catheterize for some a time. But, I'm sure there are others here with better knowledge of these things than me.

Luvs It.

Think that from my experience especially after surgery they like to keep track of your fluid intake and urine output. This in many cases is by an IV drip for fluid straight into the blood stream and obviously by how much urine your kidneys are producing.

I have gone into hospital wearing a Nappy (Diaper) for surgery and had a catheter inserted whilst I was under anaesthetic for exactly this reason.

I hope this answers your question?

UKNappyman

PS I was still wearing a Nappy as well when I came around as I also have bowel problems as well! 😳

As uk said depending on what your there for they amy or may not diaper you. if you have a chaterter in ya its probably something a little more serious then say broken leg or something. so in that case no thay will not diaper you like uk said top keep track opf fluid intake and output. but if your there for a minor something just tell them you wet the bed at night only and they will diaper you for it. but its not as much fun as you think it is its not like they lift your legs in the air and diaper you like a baby. nope its more of a turn and another turn then pull between the legs and tape and done. very quikly and professional.

Diapers are normally reserved for people with bowel problems. Normal course for bladder problems is variety of drugs and cathetarisation, with either a leg bag to guage the output or a valve to let the wearer empty bladder at leisure. Padds are an option in bladder conditions but as a last resort normally where persistant infection occurs with cathetar use.

According to a very dear nurse friend of mine, hospitals here in UK generally won't catheterise you unless they have to. If you want a nappy, ask and they will give you a disposable pad (but probably want explanations so have a good plausible reason handy)! Rest assured they see this sort of thing frequently and won't bat an eyelid!! 😁

I wonder if they'd bat an eyelid, if you gave an explanation like, I want a diaper because, I'm a abdl and this is what I wear, I hate catheters! ???

Luvs It.

I would request to stay in diapers or the stay would off unless i was in a life or death situation and not able to choose for myself

During surgery the used a cath but after i would wake up diapered

😁 yup Mamasboy and others are right they need to monitor your intake and out put in some cases so you would get a cath. I'm not sure what they would do if you just told them you were a bedwetter. I had a chance to find out but was to chicken to find out when I was in the Hospital. read my short story in the "hospital" posts.

I think you will find that your request for diapers will in most cases be granted.It was for me for my most recent hospital visit.Be firm in your request.

It saves money and time for the hospital

BOB C

I think, when you're in a hospital and you say you really don't want to have a catheter inside the "golden parts" of you, no one is allowed to force you if there are alternatives like diaperes. 😉

No catheters! No, no, no! My urethra swelled out after they took it out and I was pissing razors for three days after I was released. Even though I was in the hospital for a tonsillectomy. I'd rather pee in my hospital gown than get a cath in.

I definitely would, I don't know why they have to use catheters for surgery unless it's going to cause a surgical problems. I want diapered.

I definitely would, I don't know why they have to use catheters for surgery unless it's going to cause a surgical problems. I want diapered.

I'm not a doctor I'm only in college but taking classes to get into med school but I think one of the reasons they insert a catheter is so they can measure fluid output so they know how much fluids are required to keep someone hydrated

A very interesting thread. I have been incontinent and dependant on nappies now for a few years. I have never stayed in hospital but my medical notes state I am incontinent and enuretic and get prescription pads via the NHS so I would be curious to see what would happen should I have to go in to hospital.

I would request diapers only when interning the hospital.

Having worked in a hospital I can tell you it all depends on why you are in the hospital. If for any reason you are in the hospital for a remotely life threatening condition or post major surgery, a catheter is a must to monitor kidney output to avoid renal failure from secondary complications (or direct if you are in the hospital for renal issues). This is VERY important information. Diapers are a last resort always as it makes it difficult to measure output. If you do not have genuine incontinence, aren't in any serious risk of renal failure (internal bleeding, clotting, and more), and able to measure your own output in a "hat" (urine measuring device that goes over the toilet bowl) you may ask to not be cathed if told one is necessary. To cut you off at the pass now, weighing diapers does not work particularly for adults because there are not published standards for adult diaper weights as in pediatrics. Look, I enjoy a good medical/diaper scenario as much as the next person but, unless you truly are incontinent and cannot manage to "sack up" and deal with a cath and most importantly, truly unable to help yourself...then yes go for it ask for a "brief". Truth told, in that particular scenario (only) the nurse will probably appreciate it verses helping you with a wet bed. The moral here is, Caths are for a legit medical reason when used in the hospital, not just for convenience, everyone hates them but, if they say you need it there is likely a good reason.

I hate caths. They wanted me to straight cath but, that was unacceptable to me I'd rather be diapered for day to day incontinence. If I am in the hospital though and they want me to have a foley I am going to do it. You have the right to ask why...likely they will explain as I just have. If that is the case don't be dumb and don't take chances with your life. Don't be a creep... be smart.

If you desire that much to wear diapers in the hospital for kicks...go for it but, bring your own, take care of yourself, and be polite about it. I guarantee no one will say anything to your face about it...lol.

Disclaimer: Those who know my posts know I am not one of those over conservative don't ever wear diapers outside the house, don't ask help when you need it, don't push the bounds kinda person. Again, it is that this topic deals with a serious medical/ life sustaining topic. To encourage anyone to do anything against medical advice especially, when already in the hospital is irresponsible and ignorant.

*steps down from soapbox*

Also, not to call anyone but, in response to a comment about diapers being cheaper and more cost-effective vs. a foley for the hospital you could not be more incorrect. Diapers are incredibly draining on man power and time consuming. Even a quick effective diaper changer takes 5-10 minutes in the medical setting now, multiply that by a minimum of 3 changes a day. Time is money and care for more needy patients in the world of hospitals. The average hospital diaper cost about $.85-1.25 a brief again times a minimum of three times a day and then the hidden cost of the added weight of heavy diapers to biohazard waste disposal (which is OBSENELY expensive and charged by the 1/4 lbs. typically in my experience).

A foley tray averages about $15-$20 box but, is typically inserted once and remains for the entire patient stay (barring complications). It takes about 5-10 minutes for a skilled nurse to insert once. If any upkeep to the foley is needed it would be a flush or cleaning of the meatus, a two minute ordeal. (Hence why hospitals are sometimes accused of over using them. I believe this to be somewhat true, however, as this discussion regards using diapers instead and the argument given was that diapers are cheaper...this is not pertinent to the discussion).

Just to lay some knowledge down on you all. If you really don't want the foley...again bring your own diapers change yourself or use the potty. For the few of us that are truly incontinent (and no diaper dependent does not count) of course you would ask for a diaper if appropriate but, then I don't think this question would have even really phased you and you would know enough to bring your own supply anyways because you would know the horror that is hospital diapers. ;-p.

Be real peeps. Be rational. Fight the good fight! xoxox

I started having "problems" last fall due to as it turned out BPH. I was a wreck confronting the situation. My sister is an RN and i had a very uncomfortable discussion with her concerning my wetting. She had the attitude of "what's the big deal". She said half of the folks she dealt with wore diapers (cancer treatment section- older folks mainly).

As the conversation continued she went on to say that the hospital that she works at actually preferred having their patients in diapers over catheters. I found this unbelievable and told her so. She said rather matter of factly that there is a high incidence of urinary tract infections from catheters, much greater than with diapers. She told me that recently rules were changed to where infections that were caused in the hospital had to be treated free of charge.

Needless to say the cost of diapers is far less than treating a UTI. She said that they still used foleys in circumstances that required that the diaper region be sterile, but otherwise requested patients consider using diapers during their stay. So, you never know......I know what my choice would be...lol.

After prostate surgery I had to be catheterized for 10 days to allow my urethra to heal.

After it was removed I was incontinent so I had to use diapers until I "dried" up.

It took about 6 months.