Bladder removal

Here is the link that Duke mentioned. This was before my neo surgery and I got a lot of good info from the responses.

bladdercancersupport.org/su/forum/6-men-and-bladder-cancer/21043-to-neobladder-or-not-to-neobladder-that-is-my-

Mike

Welcome John, sorry you need to join us, but glad you found the site. This site has been a blessing for me and I hope you find it the same for yourself. First thing, everything George just said. Second there is a ton of info here. If you have the time
you can read past posts from Neo surgery people like myself or others that begin with before surgery and as in my case run through full recovery. You can find these posts by going to
Help- site map- scroll down under forums and there is a long list. Mine under there is "Going in for neo bladder Dec.16".
It is no better or worse then others, it's just the one I know about. I am sure that Mikes is a very good one. I think his is
"To neo or not to neo". Not sure but Mike will jump in here soon. I have been very fortunate and my Dr. was incredible. This is only my experience. Not every one has been as lucky as myself, but all the info is here on this forum if you study it.
Wishing you the best.
Duke

Thanks George!

I have 2 months to learn all I can about this and 2 months to get my head into the whole thing.

John

John
Sorry you have to join our exclusive club. But, you are here and you will get a lot of replies because a lot of us have had this procedure.

Even If you didn't have cancer in the prostate, the prostate is removed during the bladder removal.

This is big surgery though and you will need time to recover. I was at home for almost 2 months and walking became the MOST important thing for me.
You will probably spend a week in the hospital after the surgery, and they will make you walk after the first day. You can see a trend here. You will be released from the hospital with a catheter and a kidney drain. They are a pain indeed and you will find a visiting nursing service is VERY helpful in getting this managed. I found that to be the hardest part, but we made it through. Infection is a big factor in your recovery. There are others here who have had endure longer hospital stays and returns to battle infection. So, follow orders and keep vigilent about cleanliness.
You will probably lose a few pounds.... I did... about 25. You will not eat much the first days at home but don't worry. As your intestines heal you will regain your appetite and it will come back.
I guess the one thing that most men worry about is...... incontinence. You will be incontinent. Period. You will do keegles (your wife will tell you) and you will still leak. Just get on a schedule and follow it. I had my lifesaving operation 3 years ago and I still leak at night. I laugh about it and wear a pad. If this is all I have to endure for being alive........ I'll take it!

This is a big step in saving your life. If you caught it early and you do not have to go through chemo after the surgery..... You will continue your life and be a success story just like us.

Good luck
George

I'm being treated at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. I went here to get a 2nd opinion and I'm glad I did. The 1st opinion showed cancer in my bladder but not my prostrate. This Doc says it's in both so now both have to be removed. He recommends the Neobladder to Urethra Diversion. I'm scheduled to have it done on Feb 27th. I'd like to know what to expect from others that have had this procedure done.

Thanks, John