Hi Sheila, I know how you feel. I had the same thing done and I had to cath for three months! I got it to the shower and the warm water helped me get the sensation back I started to go. Good luck and may you feel better soon.
Shelia21
Hi MassSheila, welcome to the Urogynecology community!
The goal of course if for you to urinate without cathing at all. Since every woman's experience post surgery is unique the frequency and timing of cathing will vary, these are specifics you should get directly from the NP at your physician's office. The exact type of surgical procedure done, the amount of inflammation you have post surgery, how active you need to be during the early heal curve will all have an impact on when and whether you need to cath. Please call your physicians office and let them address this scenario, it is extremely important that you follow the cath procedure they request so you heal up properly with no complications. I wish I could give you more specifics but in this situation it is vital that your physician's office guides you, since they will be familiar with all of the details of your procedure, they should be able to guide you. Be aware that as you get more active during the initial heal curve that swelling may increase a bit and create some difficulty urinating without cathing, that is normal.
Good luck, I hope your healing period goes smoothly.
Sher