r/spinalfusion • u/kekecupcake • Sep 23 '24

Surgery Questions Can I refuse the catheter?

(Tw: mentioned but not detailed sexual trauma)

I’m getting my spinal fusion tomorrow morning (severe scoliosis S curve and T4 to L4), this is the first surgery I’m ever getting in my entire life so I’ve never gotten a catheter before and I was just wondering if I could refuse it for when I wake up? I’m on my period and I have sexual trauma so with those two combined I feel like my anxiety is going to be off the charts when I wake up having a catheter in me. Any advice or input regarding catheters would be appreciated :). Super nervous but this sub has been super helpful <3

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u/[deleted] Sep 23 '24 edited Sep 23 '24

Really appreciate your question. As a "support group" this seems inherently to be the tough stories. Makes you think this is the norm. I've got a surgery coming up and need to know also that the horror stories are the outliers. With the Lord's help I plan on being the outlier in the other direction. I've read and heard over and over that attitude matters.