[twinkletoes]

My loved one is about to undergo the removal of the bladder and have a urostomy bag, why cant they just create a new bladder internally? Also, he is having the prostate removed, why are they doing this if there is no cancer in the prostate, he is only 42 and not yet had children?

[UroDoc]

New bladders, called Neobladders can absolutely be made by using some of the patients small bowel. If that is what he is looking for then you might want to get a second opinion at a regional medical center. The Prostate is removed during these operations. He may want to bank (freeze) sperm.

[twinkletoes]

thank you for your response, he is due to have it out in under 2 weeks, im guessing we are too late for a 2nd opinion??? however he apparently has one of the "best" urologists in the country so im guessing the neobladder was not an option. Do Urologists normally give the patient options as i dont feel there was another option for him, if that is the case would u have an idea of why the neobladder would not have been offered?

[UroDoc]

I can only speak for myself, I give all the options to my patients. There maybe factors why the Neobladder is not being offered, like previous abdominal surgery or poor health (since it is a much longer operation and has a higher risk of complications). I would call and ask the doctor what his/her thoughts are. Do remember about banking sperm even if there is not any consideration of having childern at this time.

[unclelou]

Hi
I had the same procedure done. The prostate was removed, according to my Dr. as normal,

[Patricia]

My husband has just had a neobladder and if I had known what the problems associated with this surgery were we would never have opted for the neo bladder. The amount of complications he expereinced due to the operation and 4 months later he is still in hospital he would have had a bag fitted. Numerous UTI and kidney infections due to the neo bladder being made out of the bowel is an ongoing problem. Internal bleeding, peritonitis, septecemia, lungs collapsing, being placed on life support, infections, viruses and the list goes on. Go for the bag and dont look back. My husband in only 50 and now he can no longer work, cannot surf and is impotent.

Good luck and take care.

Patricia

[unclelou]

Patricia
I am sorry to hear that . I agree with you. 4 years ago, when i had the removal done, I was couseled by my Urologits mentor at Thomas Jefferson. He showed me th neo bladder and what was involved. I opted fot the bag, I realized at my age at the time, 56/7, I did not want to be at risk.
Good luck. Is it reversible ?
Lou Calvarese

[Patricia]

Lou,

we have not discussed the option of reversing the neo bladder as he has to still undergo operations to remove the iliostomy and collostamy bags due to nicking of his colen when his prostate was removed. Also he has problems with his bowel and alos his rectum requires surgery alos as that was alos cut when his prostate was removed. Also any information would be greatly appreciared from anyone on how to dela with continual UTI's that he has due to the neo bladder.

Kind regards
Patricia

[UroDoc]

Constant UTI's maybe from not emptying the bladder completely. If this is the case he could self cath. Some people with constant UTI's benefit from a low dose antibiotic taken daily, usually at bedtime, like macrodantin, good luck

[twinkletoes]

HI Patricia, im sorry to hear of your husbands on going problems, you are right, the bag sounds like it was a much better option. It has only been 3 weeks since the op with lots of trial and error of leaks and getting used to it. He is supposed to start a course of chemo as a preventative and see an oncologist but this still has not happened and i fear the worst as the doc said it was aggresive.