Liz,
It is a tough decision and I pray you make the right choice for you. Thought I would share....for me, I would have selected the neo-bladder if I had been in a different location, with very experienced doctors and IF I could have talked with women, such as Holly, who were successful in staying dry and not having to cath themselves. I think the decision has alot to do with the surgeons and procedure and also age as a determining factor.
In my area, I could only find two doctors who did neo-bladders for women, and the women I talked to wwh had them were told prior to the surgery that they would most likely have to cath themselves...so I was like Pat, and felt that the pouch was the best choice for me. Since my insurance did not cover me out of state, I wasn't prepared to lay out that kind of cash to go elsewhere when I knew no doctor could guarantee what the outcome would be.
I was a bit concerned that I would have difficulty adjusting to the sight of my stoma and how to take care of it but truely I loved her from the first time I saw her...and I found it very easy to cath myself from the very beginning...yes, I have had my share of frustrations with mucus and bladder irriation but now after two months, it is getting much easier for me. I go shopping and have no qualms about cathing at restrooms as long as I have my supplies with me...and as time goes on, I get smarter about how to pack those items. I have even parked along side a country road and taken care of business...it was easy and I felt very comfy with the idea.
Hope this helps give you a better idea of what it's like to have a pouch. Melodie