What is a catheter?

A urinary catheter is a thin, flexible, plastic tube. It is passed through your penis and placed inside your bladder. When you wake up after your operation you will have a urinary catheter in place. Understandably most men are apprehensive at the thought of having a catheter.

“I think a bit more explanation about that catheter might have been better because that frightened me to death that thing.”

Hear Laurence describe his experience of having a catheter in place:

Its purpose is to allow urine to drain while the area around the operation starts to heal. It is usually removed after about a week but could be longer. Men do worry that their catheter will fall out – this is very unlikely although it can happen if it is tugged hard.

The catheter is held in place with a small inflatable balloon in the bladder – it is not stitched in place.

The catheter will be attached to a night drainage bag. This is a large bag (about 2 litres capacity) that can be fixed to the bed or to a portable stand to allow you to walk around.

Night drainage bag

Leg bag

When you are at home you will have the option of a leg bag. These are small bags (350-750 mls) that attach to your leg. They allow you to be more mobile with discreet drainage.

Anything else I need to know?

To read more detailed information about the catheter and drainage bags, read our catheter factsheets:

• Basic catheter information [doc:1:Basic catheter information]

• Drainage bags

• Caring for your catheter at home

Coming soon

Read more about what will happen next:

In Hospital

At Home

The catheter is held in place with a small inflatable balloon in the bladder – it is not stitched in place.

The catheter will be attached to a night drainage bag. This is a large bag (about 2 litres capacity) that can be fixed to the bed or to a portable stand to allow you to walk around.

Night drainage bag

Leg bag

When you are at home you will have the option of a leg bag. These are small bags (350-750 mls) that attach to your leg. They allow you to be more mobile with discreet drainage.

Anything else I need to know?

To read more detailed information about the catheter and drainage bags, read our catheter factsheets:

• Basic catheter information [doc:1:Basic catheter information]

• Drainage bags

• Caring for your catheter at home

Coming soon

Anything else I need to know?

Anything else I need to know?

Resources

Continence Product Advisor