Footy legend Robert DiPierdomenico tells all about shocking incontinence problem that made him go to the toilet 40 times a day: ‘My grandson and I change our diapers at the same time’
- Robert DiPierdomenico talks about incontinence struggles
- Footy great went to the toilet 40 times a day
- ‘Dipper’ wants those who are suffering to seek help
Footy icon Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico has opened up about his debilitating urinary retention problem, which has seen him go to the toilet up to 40 times a day.
Grand Final winner Hawthorn underwent surgery for the painful issue in 2022, requiring him to wear adult diapers.
Speaking on Sunrise Tuesday morning, the 65-year-old former Brownlow Medal winner says he is now almost back to full health and wants those suffering to seek help.
“I went to the bathroom maybe four or five times and then it went to 10 or 12 times and then 30 or 40 and I didn’t do anything about it,” he admitted.
“And then of course the pain started coming and then I had surgery and now I’m 95 percent back where I was.”
Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico was one of footy’s toughest men when he played, but a debilitating urinary retention problem brought him down like no opponent ever did
‘Incontinence is a big thing in Australia so I thought I’d raise my hand to let you know I’m one of those 1.5 million men who suffer from it, but a few exercises will have me back – I I’m all the way back.’
DiPierdomenico said he spoke out in an effort to get men to take their health seriously and not make it as difficult as he did.
He also made light of the fact that he sometimes had to wear an adult diaper.
“You know, wearing a diaper is okay because you can last longer and also the best thing, Nat, about having a diaper is that my grandson Harley and I change at the same time.
“It’s so much fun.”
DiPierdomenico said getting help for incontinence is easy and he wishes he had done it sooner.
“What you should do is if you feel like you need to go to the bathroom a few times more than usual and the pain starts to come on, what you should do is go to your doctor, talk to him or her about what you problems and it was resolved the next day, actually after surgery,” he said.
“And then you have to do your pelvic exercises like we all do now and you can live a normal life, which is what I am now.
‘Dipper’ says he is almost back to full health after undergoing surgery and exercises to correct the condition
The footy legend (pictured celebrating Hawthorn’s win in the 1988 grand final) says he’s speaking out in an effort to get men to take their health seriously
“I’m really excited to also tell you today that I’m going to the MCG next and we’re going to be launching dude bins, which of course are in the bathrooms of pubs and toilets so people go to the footy or the Olympics they can put their diaper change if necessary.’
DiPierdomenico made 240 appearances for Hawthorn between 1975 and 1991, winning five premierships and the Brownlow Medal in 1986 in a career that saw him inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.