u/Overall_Problem5568

On May 6th, I had a metoidioplasty with urethral lengthening, vaginectomy, and full hysterectomy. The doctors also inserted a catheter. They kept me in the hospital for observation for a few days, and then they scheduled me for a follow-up and sent me home.

Over the next couple of weeks, I experienced an increasing "pulling" sensation, like the catheter was getting looser. I told myself I was being paranoid. My insurance covers a home visit from a nurse every 3 days, and none of them noticed anything wrong. A few days out from my first post-op appointment, I felt like I couldn't even stand up straight without pressing my hand to my bladder! I kept placing bandage over bandage because I feared it was going to slip right out otherwise.

Yesterday, I had my first post-op appointment, and the nurse removed the tube from my urethra. She noticed that nobody had ever added a foley securement device to my leg, which apparently was supposed to happen before I initially got discharged. So my catheter WAS pulling because it was being weighed down whenever I stood up! The nurse attached a securement device for me. Then, when the nurse changed the bandages around my bladder, she noticed that this had caused the suture to pop out, so she adhered steri strips over the tube.

However, I've been feeling very paranoid about this ever since I got home. The catheter doesn't get removed from my bladder for another two weeks, and in the meantime I really don't even want to stand up. I don't feel the pulling sensation anymore, but I'm scared that it isn't secure without the suture, and the steri strips lose their stickiness so fast. I asked a friend to pick up some more for me, but even changing them is hard because I fear the adhesive itself will pull out my tube.

but the tube wouldn't come out THAT easily.... right? 🥲 I think I accidentally traumatized myself by not trusting my instincts and advocating for myself when I noticed the pulling sensation. I greatly appreciate reassurance and/or advice 😭❤️