I had the radical cystectomy/prostatectomy in October and got the neobladder. When I asked my uro about self cath, he said "Why would you want to do that?" I have never had to self cath or any other cath since getting my surgery. However, I do wear a condom catheter at night so I can sleep through the night because I still don't have night time continence.
When I asked about Indiana pouch, neo, and ilieal, it came back from other members of this group that no matter which one you choose, most people seem to be happy with their choice. There are exceptions but that seemed to be the general case. See the thread "To neo or not to neo, that is the ?" on this site and see what others had to say.
You are correct that the ilieal conduit is much shorter of a surgery and I think also has less potential for side effects. However, I'm pretty happy with my neobladder. I expect in a few more months I will have night time continence and be good as new.
My surgery was open and not the robot or laparoscopic. It's just what my doc prefered.
Glad you found the site and I wish you the best of luck in your decision and long term outcome.
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...