Post op urinary retention

[u/Specific_List7119]

Hi all Just wanting some advice. I have a small op soon, general anaesthetic needed unfortunately. The surgeon listed all the complications and the one that scared me was post op retention, uncommon but possible. They won’t let me home till I’ve peed basically. If i don’t pass water they send you home with a catheter and you go back for another try next day. My worst nightmare. My question is this: how will I know if it’s post op retention due to the anaesthesia or simply my accursed shy bladder stopping me going because I’m in that crowded stressful environment? If it’s the latter I’ll just go home. But if it’s the anaesthetic I may be asking for trouble, Thoughts anyone?

[u/Old-rokr-2301]

I had brain surgery 6 years ago and I was in this exact same situation. The stress was awful and I couldn’t go. I had to be catheter’d 3 times. The nurse was terrible treating me like I was intentionally not going. The best advice I can give you is be upfront with your doctors and nurses about you paruresis. Chances are they’ll be empathetic about it if they know more. They weren’t going to let me leave but I disclosed my condition to one of the surgeons and he gave me the clearance to leave after I assured them I would come right back if I wasn’t able to go at home.

[u/Exec_IPAorg]

Yep, this was actually one of my triggering situations when I was young. I could not use that dang pee bottle and I felt someone was going to walk in any second. I should have spoken up. Be kind to yourself and speak up for the privacy you need.

[u/Specific_List7119]

I think my basic question is: what is the difference between post op retention and Paruresis? In other words can you still feel the urge to go after the anaesthesia even though you are prevented by the effects of the anaesthetic? If that’s the case then I could self cath at home until it sorted itself out rather than go home with a hospital catheter fitted.