My daughter had 2 different surgeries at 2 and 4 months of age. I think I made it out to be more than it really was. On both occasions, she was sent home less than 24 hours later. I don't think my daughter went home with a catheter. It was very easy. We were sent home with a thin metal rod that we were supposed to dilate her new vaginal opening with to prevent a stricture, or tightening of that opening. I think the surgery was harder for us than it was for our daughter. Good Luck.