No anesthesia is required for catheter removal and only a little discomfort is experienced by most patients. Your doctor will teach you exercises which you can do to strengthen your bladder muscles. These can be obtained without a prescription and are available in a variety of sizes and absorbencies. Please bring one or 2 pads to your physician's office the day your catheter is to be removed. Your ability to maintain bladder control should improve significantly with time.
Most patients regain good control by three months.
However, it may take more time for some patients. If adequate urinary control does not return by six months, consult your doctor. If you believe that the force or diameter of your urinary stream is slow or narrow, or if you have any difficulty or pain on urinating, notify your doctor immediately. On occasion, scarring may cause blockage to the normal flow of urine. During the period of incontinence, your skin may become irritated depending on the amount of urinary leakage.