12 replies to this topic

[mussakka]

So I'm just gonna throw this out there.  I don't pee as well as I used to.  Before surgery, I had a pretty strong stream, but after the surgery I feel like it's not as forceful as it was even when I really gotta go.  I still void completely, so no major issue here, but I'm wondering if anyone else (male or female) has experienced something similar.

I'm in my mid-40s and have no history of prostate issues.

I wondered if having the catheter in the hospital could have caused swelling or something?  I'm going on 8 weeks out from the surgery, so I would think something like that would have resolved by now.  I also though maybe I've lost some fat that might have been pushing on my bladder before?  Maybe the muscles aren't used to contracting as much as they need to with less weight?

I'd considered seeing my PCP but thought it would sound kind of hypochondriac to walk in and say, "Dude, I'm peeing about 90% as strong as I did a month ago."  I mean, we've had some wild talks and all, but I can see his face now.  

[DaQman247]

Won't know until you ask. On top of that (not to worry you) that's how prostate issues start.

[gabedad]

mussakka, on 09 February 2012 - 08:33 PM, said:

So I'm just gonna throw this out there.  I don't pee as well as I used to.  Before surgery, I had a pretty strong stream, but after the surgery I feel like it's not as forceful as it was even when I really gotta go.  I still void completely, so no major issue here, but I'm wondering if anyone else (male or female) has experienced something similar.

I'm in my mid-40s and have no history of prostate issues.

I wondered if having the catheter in the hospital could have caused swelling or something?  I'm going on 8 weeks out from the surgery, so I would think something like that would have resolved by now.  I also though maybe I've lost some fat that might have been pushing on my bladder before?  Maybe the muscles aren't used to contracting as much as they need to with less weight?

I'd considered seeing my PCP but thought it would sound kind of hypochondriac to walk in and say, "Dude, I'm peeing about 90% as strong as I did a month ago."  I mean, we've had some wild talks and all, but I can see his face now.  

I have had the same thing. I am about 5 months out and was thinking it might have been the catheter as well. I am going to follow up with my surgeon.

[Dante]

I am preop but had a similar problem a few years back. I had something called prostatitis. It's a bacteria infection in the prostate. Wiped out with antibiotics.  Nothing to do with cancer or enlarged prostate.  It happens when a drip of urine goes back into the urethra.  I bring it up because it could have happened from the catheter.  It started with a slow stream and then I had a split stream and then hestinancy and the a couple of drops of blood.  Which was very scary.  Only 2 things are supposed to come out of there. Haha.  But after a round of special antibiotics it went back to normal.

[BugdocMom]

Ok, guys...I am going to have to pipe up and let you know I experienced the same thing. And, for some reason, my prostate never came to mind...LOL. I can see how that would be the first thing YOU guys consider since it IS such an important part of your physiology, and I am by no means suggesting you put the idea out of your heads (I must say, I am quite protective of my husband's prostate ). But, when it happened to me post-op, I blamed it on lack of muscle strength after surgery...

[mussakka]

LOL BugdocMom you always crack me up!  Never thought of your prostate indeed.  So did your strength return or do you just live with it reduced?

Gabedad, I'd be interested to know what your doctor tells you.

Dante, a minor infection from the catheter didn't even occur to me.  I did have prostatitis several years ago, so I know what you mean.  I seem to recall it feeling somewhat like a bladder infection with lots of pressure to pee and little coming out.  You're right, antibiotics did the trick.

I know I can always trust you guys to put me on the right path.  I'm going to follow up with my own PCP and see what he says.  I'll post back here too once I've seen him.

[BugdocMom]

mussakka, on 10 February 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

LOL BugdocMom you always crack me up!  Never thought of your prostate indeed.  So did your strength return or do you just live with it reduced?

At eight months post surgery, I feel like I pee pretty normally now. There was no sudden switch I noticed so I assume it gradually got better. But, I will have to admit, I haven't had that "pee like a racehorse" moment since before surgery. Don't know what's up with that...

mussakka, on 10 February 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

I know I can always trust you guys to put me on the right path.  I'm going to follow up with my own PCP and see what he says.  I'll post back here too once I've seen him.

I agree, it definitely doesn't hurt to run it by your doc, or even your surgeon --if it is WLS related, your surgeon my recognize it before a PCP.

[Charmedd Hour]

My dad had some urine flow issues after surgery.  Apparently, it was a side effect of the anesthesia, first time it happened to him despite multiple surgeries.  It was severe enough that he was discharged with a cathether, as he was unable to go at all.  Some meds from the urologist helped him out within a few weeks he was off the cath and going on his own. Though 5 years on he says he still has some issues, partially from getting older, he's 58 now.

[mussakka]

Just a little update on this topic. I saw my PCP yesterday and discussed the urine flow issue. He said that it was a side effect of the narcotic pain relievers I've been taking since the surgery. There was the Lortab immediately following the operation, followed by daily doses of hydrodone to help with the severe knee pain I'd been experiencing, followed by more hydrocodone I was given for pain when passing a kidney stone. I'm still taking some now for back problems, but I'll soon finish that and things should return to normal within a few weeks. So yay, nothing serious.

[Blueline]

I had an outpatient surgery 5 years ago called a TURP.   They make a few cuts in your prostate and you pee like your 20 again.    I had a sleeve 5 days ago and had to leave the hospital with a foly cath.   Can't tell you how not happy I am.   Going to see the Urologist on Tuesday and hopefully get it out.   Interesting that the pain meds may be the problem.  I hope it does not have to be there for weeks.

[gabedad]

checked with my surgeon. She said to bring it up to my Regular dr at the next visit.

[Looking2Lose]

I hope that everything functions well for me after I have my surgery, I know I am not a guy but I thought I would chime in! Good luck guys!

[swizzly]

BugdocMom, on 10 February 2012 - 02:37 PM, said:

At eight months post surgery, I feel like I pee pretty normally now. There was no sudden switch I noticed so I assume it gradually got better. But, I will have to admit, I haven't had that "pee like a racehorse" moment since before surgery. Don't know what's up with that...

Me too!!  I have never again peed like I used to pre-op LOL.  It's weird, I can't even explain it.  I also cough super weakly like a fake-y sounding cough LOL.  I think that might be down to quitting smoking and just not coughing very much anymore and having weak cough muscles. I asked my bariatric doctor about both of these and she sorta looked at me like I had two heads, and said there's nothing to worry about on either front. I guess physical changes internally and with fat rearrangement/losing, things just behave differently to how they did before, but there's nothing wrong with it per se.  Good luck, mussakka!