New to Website New Diagnosis

Pat,

Duh! The ileum is small intestine, which also includes the jejunum and duodenum. All are used in the neo and pouch creations. I remember reading an article somewhere giving the pros and cons of the different parts of the gut used, but can't find it...most doctors learn a technique from another doctor and use that.

Wendy

RAH
Im assuming you're a man? I had my cystectomy last year in October and Im just a bit younger than you at a spritely 44. Im doing great. There are scatterings from me all over this site concerning my experiences but please ask ANY questions you need to of this site.

Regs

Tim

Thanks WEndy....i just worry because so many nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine....and the ileum which in particulare absorbs the Bl2...My supply was depleted about 9 months after my surgery and i require B l2 shots now. There must be a better way of cutting!!! Pat

Pat, I recently saw illustrations of the many different shapes and forms neobladders have depending on who innovated the technique, and yes, one or two were S shaped, and all are detubularized. Whether they are made of small intestine or ileum or what part of intestine I'm not sure.

I'll try to get my hands on copies of the slides and could conceivably re-draw them for the website (unless I get permission to use the original illustrations). I'm expecting to receive all the slides that were shown at the recent bladder cancer conferences here in Amsterdam.
Wendy

Just wondering...anyone else on this panel heard of the S fold of the small intestines for a neobladder?...Thats a new one for me.........Pat

The doctor describes it this way:
He will take some of the small intestines and "S" fold it into a pouch. He will connect it to my existing plumbing. He said no matter how many times he tells the intestine that it is now a bladder, it still acts like an intestine. He said it will still produce mucus that will sometimes clog the urethra. He said I will probably need to do a self catheter periodically to insure the bladder is thoroughly drained.

I did play golf for many years. I always had a problem loosing my golf balls. The CatScan of my bladder looks like it has oversize ears.

RAH