Not Sure Which Type of Pouch to Get ??

Here's my option, the outside bag, I am 66 and I have no problems with the bag. its simple, its easy, and had no infections, no return hospital visits for complications. I never had to catherize, I don't have incontinence, diapers are out of my life for good. The hard thing to get use to is not peeing thru your penis. It takes a while to get use to that. I have no regrets getting the outside bag. It may not be everyones favorite choice but it certainly has its benefits!!

Gene Beane

What a beatiful thing you show us, I have one also. Very happy with it. What type is that? Mine is the studer type.

Hi Dan,
Here's my 2 cents. Like you and most everyone else, I struggled with the same issue. The chance of complications and the possiblility of catheterization scared me.

I'm 59 with no other health issues, and had an RC on 11/5/07 at Hopkins, and did finally decide on a neobladder. 10 weeks later, life is getting back to normal. There was a month or so learning period to use the neobladder and to get used to the night issues, which seemed like a very long time before surgery and now seems like a very short time. I'm continent during the day, and wake up every 2-3 hours every night with very occasional minor leakage. I was getting up that often before the surgery. Like Tim, I can't believe that life has returned to being so normal. I can't really feel when I have to pee, but it's easy to keep track. The only weird thing is that you feel when the little bit of mucous comes out. I'm used to it by now but it still fascinates me. I'm glad it comes because I always worried about it clogging up the works. I drink a lot and have no problems (knock on wood) .

If you're interested, here's a very graphic picture of a neobladder (if you don't mind a raw, gory picture): www.emedicine.com/med/images/435575-448623-2386.jpg

I finally decided that complications can occur with any option, and the neobladder was the best choice for ME and had the best chance of a return to "normalicy". I certainly could have coped with any option.

Good luck with your decision and surgery.

Mike

For all of us who live in ounce-land, that comes out to about 13.5 ounces.

Pretty impressive!

LOL. you're right

I didn't see anyone from us Illeal Conduit diversionairies.
I had my surgery seven months and two days ago. I was scheduled for a neobladder, but because my intestines couldn't reach to do the job, the surgeon in mid stride changed the diversion type (as was discussed before surgery as an option).

If I had to do it again, I would have chosen the Illeal Conduit as my choice. The reason is that I am use to my pouch on my abdomen and the diversion does not prevent me from doing anything. That doesn't mean I wouldn't feel the same if the neo bladder worked, it is just that I know what I have today and since there are no problems why change.

Good luck with your surgery. The nice thing is I have read positive response no matter what diversion is created. Sometimes it feels like people are saying, "My diversion is better then yours". This is a "Friendly" attitude that I enjoy reading about.

Rick