hi don
when they first took out my catheter, for the first day, water pretty much just ran right through me, in one end and out the other. things rapidly improved during the next 48 hours and at the end of a week i was able to retain most of the time. things just improved from there and I think by the time I went back to work, 5 or so months after the op, my daytime continence was excellent with just the odd dribble escaping. Now im 100% in the day and, if I don't drink too late, my nighttime is acceptable.
The clenching of the muscles round the base of the new apparatus is what keeps things in and, although this seems hard work at first, before long, like driving a car, you won't notice it. Its kind of like when you tried to hold pee in with your regular bladder but more so.
Many health experts advocate the use of pelvic floor to strengthen the muscles that hold the pee in and I think that doing them regularly definitely makes a big difference. To be truthful, Im a bit slack on mine in general but I still have excellent control.
Some beverages used to make me pee more (coffee and beer) but you'll find a regimen that suits you. main thing is, be patient in the early days - things will change. Evaluate at 3 then 6 then 12 months. Don't be distressed too much with day-to-day setbacks. you have to look at the curve over a good period and not moment by moment. In 6 months time, if things go to plan, you'll be wondering why you didn't do it sooner!
Another good thing to do is to locate some decent wetness products for nighttime (if you need them). Im english so I can't recommend. i use a Boots own brand here and im not sure you can get it there. experiment with different styles and types. don't be intimidated into not buying them for yourself if you can help it. you're a survivor and you command respect in all you do!
the best advice i got in hopspital was from an elderly fellow neo recipient. he's had his op 4 years earlier and he said to me "you must stop calling it a neo bladder and start referring to it as your bladder. because it is now. you'll find you move along quicker that way". well said I reckon.
Best of luck, keep us posted and pm me if ever you need to
cheers
tim
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