Radical Cystectomy - Yes or No?

Certainly worth discussing possible neo issues with your surgeon before deciding. Far more intestine is removed to make neo, compared with having stoma, which can in itself lead to bowel changes & metabolic issues. Don't know if existing diverticulitis is relevant. I find my digestion is more sensitive to certain foods & sometimes get urgent, loose bowels eg after a restaurant meal (probably high in fat).

A normal bladder does not necessarily get weaker, although more common with age. Worth keeping up those pelvic floor exercises! I have had my neo 10 years (I'm now aged 67) & no change in that time. 

I went for a stoma. I didn't like the idea of self cathetering and having to wake up early to empty the bladder. Once you get of self management of the stoma, things are quite normal. 

My surgeon said I was an ideal candidate for a neo bladder, but I really didn't want the extra stay in hospital etc. I've really had no problems since the op.

However, that was right for me, but there are many on this site who swear by a neo bladder.

An update for everyone on my situation. I had my bladder, Prostate and lymph nodes removed on 30th May and a neo-bladder reconstructed. The surgery went well and I felt remarkably good immediately post op. This changed after a couple of days however and I felt quite ill for 3 or 4 days. I was in hospital for two full weeks and discharged with 2 catheters still fitted which I have to flush with saline three times a day. I have now been home for 10 days and we are gradually adjusting to life with the catheters.

On the 5th day at home I had a problem with my catheter not draining so had to go to A&E to get it unblocked. It turned out the ward had sent me home with incorrect equipment to flush the catheter properly. I have now been flushing since then and everything seems OK. 

I now have to return to clinic to potentially have my Super Pubic catheter removed. I'm not sure when the urethral catheter will be removed.

Most things are now generally OK except for feeling very tired in the afternoons.

Hi

Glad to hear that you're on the mend. Just a word of warning, it's too easy to try and do too much in the early stages recovery, so take your time and listen to your body.

Hi Pringle35

wow sounds like you have been busy and I’m very pleased your now on the mend.

I can relate to blockage with catheters had one November ended up in A&E to have removed lucky for me it was after my turbt and biopsy 

I hope you continue to recover without any more hiccups and I send healing thoughts over to you.

Don't over do it

Good to hear from you. I think there are some benefits to delaying activating neo, to give you some recovery time before embarking on the neo training. Keep building up the walking, in between rests. Also eat little & often to help sustain energy levels. Hope all continues well.

Hi,It’s good to hear you are on the road to recovery.You can expect to feel tired but hopefully you will build up strength over time.Best wishes Jane

Hi Pringle35

I've just been reading your thread which I had missed before.

Good to hear that you are generally feeling ok now having gone through these post op issues.

Could I ask you a question please? You mentioned in an earlier post about diverticula. I was dianised with diverticular disease 4 years ago and mine has seemed to flare up recently (at least I think it's that). Did you find that your diverticulosis caused any significant complications for the operation or subsequently please?

I have opted for a stoma, my op being this Friday

Regards

Mike 

Hi Polar, 

I discussed my diverticulosis with my consultant and he said it should have no significant effect. Since the operation I have noticed no significant complications or problems with this. My bowels are behaving differently but this could be due to the fact that I had some of my small colon removed to make the Neo-Bladder. Initially my movements were looser but now I am experiencing some mild constipation.

Good luck with your operation on Friday.

Regards 

Sam

Thanks for that. Helps to put my mind at rest over that particular aspect.

Good luck for your continuing recovery

Regards

Mike