Complete removal of bladder

Hi Mack,

Bladder removal is a life changing and altering procedure which can feel understandably daunting.

I had mine removed in November, so still a Urostomy newbie by all accounts but I can honestly say I dont think about it too much; I can do all the things I could before and in many ways because my bladder was so badly behaved I was virtually housebound, my stoma has given me my freedom back.

I dont need to empty my bag anywhere near as much as I had to go to the loo with my bladder: attaching the bag can be fiddly at first but your stoma nurse will help teach you and guide you as you go.

Recovery from the surgery did feel slow at times but you do get there!

Your local Urostomy association group are a great source of knowledge and support too.

Thank-you for your encouraging reply.

I had been reading Tracy Emin’s story and, oh my goodness!, poor Lass. 

Been living happily without mine for over 2 years now. Not a horror story at all. There is no constant pain after recovery from surgery. This does take a few months admittedly but I was pretty much back to normal in 3 months albeit careful about lifting anything more than a few kilos. Leaks do happen at first until you perfect a changing technique and everything settles down but just over two years on I can honestly say I haven’t had any wet bits for well over a year now.As for emptying several times a day well yes because it’s risky to let the bags get too full. However this is compensated by not having to get up several times in the night which I’m guessing yo do if you’re approaching surgery.

Plenty of info on here to ease the natural worries about impending surgery and it’s not all bad.