Oh Strange....what a bummer...where is that health plan we so desperately need?
Ileal conduit surgery consists of open abdominal surgery that proceeds in the following three stages:
Isolating the ileum, which is the last section of small bowel. The segment used is about 5.9–7.8 in (15–20 cm) in length.
The segment is then anastomosized, or grafted, to the ureters with absorbable sutures.
A stoma, or opening in skin, is created on the right side of the abdomen.
The other end of the bowel segment is attached to the stoma, which drains into a ostomy bag.
You're on the right track about asking the right questions. May i ask ..do you know how many of these surgeries this physician has performed?
Here's a page to read....
www.healthline.com/galecontent/ileal-conduit-surgery/2
Also in Houston here is the website and contact for the ostomy association...they should be able to give you lots of help.
www.ostomyhouston.org/
Things are moving pretty swiftly for you. I wish you had more time to find out if there is financial help for you. There is a Patient Advocate Group
www.patientadvocate.org/
And i believe on the Home page here we have some references for financial help...i know you can apply for Medicade even if under 65 and also apply for social security disability benefits after. I shall look further into it.
It wouldn't hurt to contact MD Anderson and talk with a social worker there to see if there is some way they would take you. I'd sure try all the avenues first.
Good luck..........Pat