Swimming

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I am almost 8 weeks since my Radical Prostatectomy. I still have major leakage while standing or walking. The weather has finally changed here in BC, and I am wondering if anyone knows of any waterproof products or has any tricks or advice on what to wear if one wanted to go in the water?

 

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There really isn't any real products for urinary issues when swimming. The disposable swim underwear don't provide hardly any absorbency, since they are mainly for containing bowel issues. The reusable swim diapers might work ok, but they will end up soaking up water if you add anything to soak up any urinary problems. I understand your pain though. I hate swimming now, because I don't spend my entire time in the water, and I don't want to wet myself at some point while I'm outside of the pool.

 

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Go online and find an undergarment that is specifically to keep in any leakage, you wear it under your swimsuit. I have one, it cost about $35.00. Washable, can’t remember the brand.

 

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Hi Fontoban,
As my username would imply, I spend quite a bit of time around the water. Typically going to the lake I’ll keep a pad on to prevent leaks while driving. I just stop at the bathroom and throw it away if used before I head out on the water. Once at the lake or pool my trunks are going to be wet anyway so I don’t really worry about the incontinence. I’ll shower before entering the pool or to get clean if there’s an accident outside of the pool. Pools contain chemicals to keep things sanitary in the event of an accident (not condoning everyone pee in the pool, but 8-20 oz in 250,000 gallons is measured in parts per million). Once out of the water I’ll go back to using protection as usual. At the lake, whatever happens hasn’t been noticed and hasn’t been an issue… really one of my more carefree places to go with this condition. In the boat, I’ll sit on a towel to keep any leaks from traveling. On the jet ski, hitting a good wave is like flushing the toilet if I’ve leaked.

Best of luck and enjoy the water!

 

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As others have mentioned, swimming products are not really designed to absorb urine. If you’re wetting heavily, I would recommend wearing your normal protection to the pool or beach. When you get there, empty your bladder right before changing in to something like this, which is what I have recently started using: https://www.theraquatics.com.au/product/theraquatics-swim-pant-gst-free/
It doesn’t have a heavy pad in it but is Terry towel lined. I wear it under my board shorts and find it to be thin and relatively discrete. It will not absorb a big accident, so you need to make sure you’re as empty as possible before you put them on.

What happens in the water happens and will leak out of brief, but something that is waterproof and a little bit absorbent will at least get you from the change room to the pool or ocean and back without a telltale wet patch on your swimmers.

All the best.

 

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There is a wide variety of both reusable and disposable swim diapers available all of them are intended for bowel incontinence there are some with some absorbency to help with any leakage before entering the pool none of them will help wish urinary incontinence while in the water

 

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Thank you Rowan123 for your link! It was most helpful!!

 

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Thnx to all the above for ur insights. Quite helpful.

 

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@pegasi99 no worries. I have become a reluctant connoisseur of washable products. I have also worn the Eenie swim briefs (listed on the same website) for pool swimming. They will contain a dribble but no more.

 

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You might want to ask your Doc due to your surgery, but I always used a Foley catheter and attached a closable valve on the end for days at the pool / beach.
When I was still kick boxing I ordered longer catheters that I would insert the valve, tie the catheter in a knot then stick a pad in my cup / jockstrap to catch any spasm related overflow.
I know it sounds complicated, but it allowed me to do a lot of things I couldn’t do otherwise. Products have changed incredibly in 30 years, a lot more options today!

 

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Has anyone tried using a penile clamp for swimming? Or for anything else?
To be honest I doubt whether I'd ever use one. The thought of clamping what is essentially a thumbscrew onto any body part is too crude and gruesome to consider actually doing it.
I have heard experts (i.e non-users) say they are effective for short periods.
Has anyone been brave enough to take the plunge and try one?

 

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I tried one of those clamps years ago, but due to the power of my detrusor/ bladder spasms it almost permanently damaged my kidneys. Not only that, doing anything like that to my own body felt very wrong..
I’ve heard they’ve made some improvements since, but doesn’t work for me due to the spasms.

 

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those clamps remind me of a medieval torture device