A week or less is required for complete recovery. For the next 24 to 48 hours, keep the region where the catheter was placed dry. Recovery is usually faster if the catheter was placed into your arm. Be sure to clean and disinfect the insertion site every day after removing the catheter. Healing after a catheter has been in place for several days or weeks is similar to that following any other wound. The skin around the area may have color changes during recovery. Dark blue-black coloration of the skin indicates infection. If this happens, remove the catheter immediately so you don't continue to spread the infection. Other things to note: fever, soreness, and swelling at the insertion site may indicate an infection. Also, wear medical-grade, tight-fitting gloves when caring for your partner with a retained catheter. People vary in how they react to having a catheter placed in their body. Some experience no pain relief during or after the procedure, while others feel only mild discomfort. Most people can expect to recover within seven days; however, some may need up to 30 days before fully recovering from the surgery.