By: Claire Thompson
Updated: Sep. 27, 2021
Originally Published: Sep. 27, 2021
I’ve undergone eight surgeries with minimal complications, so I always thought I’d handle post-operative experiences well. Like many, I feel a bit anxious before surgery, but I certainly never expected to deal with complications after what was supposed to be a routine procedure. During my recent partial hysterectomy, I found myself back in the emergency room that very night—a true shock.
Upon waking from surgery, I was in severe pain. Having had three cesarean sections before, I thought I knew what to expect, but the discomfort I experienced post-hysterectomy was on a whole new level. I even told the nurse it felt like my bladder was about to burst. Her response was dismissive; she insisted I’d already tried to go multiple times and simply didn’t have enough urine. I took her word for it.
The pain was relentless, and no matter how I tried to position myself, I couldn’t find relief. I was discharged despite my discomfort, hoping that lying in my own bed would ease the pain. However, later that night, I realized I was in even worse shape. After taking the maximum dose of pain medication, I decided to return to the ER, where I discovered I had Acute Post-Operative Urinary Retention (POUR). I never imagined I’d be pleading for a catheter, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Relief was instantaneous; after not being able to urinate for 13 hours, finally allowing myself to do so felt like an immense weight lifted.
Afterward, I needed a catheter for a week, followed by a straight catheter for three days. This experience gave me newfound respect for those who rely on catheters regularly. Unfortunately, I also developed a UTI and a yeast infection—common side effects of catheter use. The discomfort was constant, from worrying about kinks in the tubing to figuring out where to hang the catheter bag while I tried to sleep.
During this challenging time, I leaned heavily on my partner for support, especially when it came to the awkward task of self-cathing. I never anticipated my recovery would involve such intimate and humiliating moments; it’s not a topic you discuss openly with many people.
But my experience highlighted how prevalent this complication is. Research indicates that post-operative urinary retention affects between 5% to 70% of patients, particularly after pelvic and orthopedic surgeries. Despite the severity of my situation, many patients experience full bladders without any noticeable symptoms. It’s crucial to raise awareness about this common issue.
Symptoms to Watch For
After any outpatient procedure, be vigilant for symptoms of acute urinary retention, such as:
- Inability to urinate or lack of urge to urinate eight hours post-surgery
- Painful urge to urinate
- Lower abdominal swelling or pain
Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency and often comes with subtle signs. Keeping track of your urine output in the days following surgery is wise. Unlike acute retention, chronic urinary retention may present less obvious symptoms, including difficulty starting to urinate or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
If you suspect any urinary retention, even in the absence of pain, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately. Ignoring these symptoms could lead to long-term damage to your bladder or urinary tract. In my case, the type of surgery likely contributed to my urinary retention. While it’s hard to call any part of this experience “lucky,” the pain I felt may have been a blessing in disguise.
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