Learning Urination w/ Neobladder

I am 4 1/2 weeks post-op and learning to use my new bladder. Currently I wear a small pad in my shorts in case I leak a tad. I visit the bathroom about every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. On the stool I find myself starting and stopping in very weak streams. Each time I start, I try to push a bit trying to void as much as possible. I feel as if I am pushing in much the same way as I would to have a bowel movement. What I am doing seems to be working OK but I just don't know.

I am writing through the forum to get input from those that know. My Uro is great and nurses wonderful but they are not living the same reality. While they all say I am doing great, I thought sharing and feedback from those in similar situations might be helpful.

I still have the superpubic tube in for another week. I keep it capped durinig the day and use it to see how well I am voiding. I usually get another 50mL from there after I void. Nurses say that's fine. I also attach a bag to it during the night so that I can get some good rest. In a few days my Uro has instructed me to keep it capped at night and begin my night training.

There are many hurdles to clear after this surgery and learing to urinate is only one but I hope to hear from others in different stages of this specific process. After all... urinating in a close to normal fashion was one reason to choose neobladder!