[Lucydog]

Help I need a bit of reassuring here.... I have an appt with the Urologist on Tuesday morning. Last time I saw him, which was september he sugested an operation, which I havent thought much about. My problem being although I cant pee and dont know when I need to pee I also have a lot of leakage especially after having the kids. He was talking then about enlarging the bladder and then using a new technique to sort of move the bladder up so you cant leak. Then maybe using a SPD or mitrofanoff. (I have been reading those threads). Anyway I havent thought much about it but now the appt is nearly here Im thinking SH**E! I think what worries me most is not the op but afterwards. How long do these things take to recover from, what about driving? Its just having small children its hard to be laid up for weeks.
Id appreciate anyone whos had any kind of bladder op telling me about the recovery process.

thanks a lot
L

[Beautiful]

I know someone who recently had bladder surgery. Although I am not sure what the exact procedure was. But after 3 weeks she had the surgery, she couldn't drive. She wasn't able to bend over far, either. The surgery was in the beginning of December, and I am pretty sure she is doing much better now, and I think she is driving. Personally for me, I had a mitrofanoff. I definitely recommend it with your level of injury. The recovery time was long, for me. I had a small tube in my belly button for a full month, to make sure the hole wouldn't close up. It only took about 2 weeks for my stitches to dissolve. I definitely couldn't deal with getting stitches removed. I am way too eebie jeebie about that kind of thing. But I did really have to take it easy. The tube was about 10... eh, I don't know, 12 inches? Like 8 was inside of me, and 4 was sticking out. It had one stitch to the outside of my skin, next to my belly button. I also had to put a big gauze pad over the tube that was on the outside. You also may have a drain. I had one, and I hated it. It pumped out excess blood or something, I don't know exactly. I wasn't paying attention, haha. But I had that taken out in the hospital, about 5 or 6 days after the surgery. And like I said, after a month, the tube in my belly button was removed.

I am a pretty active person, and honestly, bladder surgery is a big hassle. I stayed in bed for the majority of my time home, and I couldn't even like, bend over to pick something up. In the month I was home, I only took a full body shower like 2 or 3 times, because I needed help. My stomach and bladder was still sore from the stitches, and I had this tube covered with gauze... so I was also scared I would get water in the wound or something. I did wash my hair though, many times. I can only speak for myself, and partly for my friend, but bladder surgery was very time consuming for us.

Hope that helps a bit

[Kathleen]

Hi,

I just joined the forum. I have a T2 SCI. My injury happened 5 years ago. I recently had bladder stones removed from my bladder and my doctor wants me to think about getting rid of my foley and learn to self cath and have surgery to expand my bladder using some bowel tissue. I am very scared of this kind of surgey because it does involve the bowel and that makes me nervous. I would like to know if anyone has had this surgery or if there is anyone out there with my level of injury who does self cath or who uses a foley. I am feeling very overwhelemed right now. I have an appt. in March with my doctor and he wants to know what I have decided. Thank you.

[Lucydog]

Thanks for the replies. Im going to have urodynamics done next week and then we shall see whats to be decided. I guess Im going to try to get it sorted now rather than wait as these things never get better do they and I dont want to end up smelly!!!