rk3943 going in for RC soon

I think one has to really consider personal life style and what you think will work best for you. I consider myself fairly active and the Indy Pouch has been the perfect choice for me...given who I am and how I think. If you would like to know more about my story...I am 58 year old female, please see my website which you can click on below my signature line. In it, I tell my story and cover the specifics of how I maintain my supplies, etc.

This is the only article i've seen written on the problems with hypercontinence with women and the neobladder

www.urotoday.com/3391/urotoday_international_
journal/female_urology/hypercontinence_in_women_after_
orthotopic_neobladder_diversion.html

By the way RK...you may register and read this free at the site.

I personally chose the Indiana Pouch for the very reasons Webs stated.

The single most important factor here is the skill of the surgeon...PERIOD..
They are so used to doing the surgery on males as they outnumber us in this area. And one of the things i researched before my surgery was...who out there does a lot of females and also tops in their field and thats who i interviewed and it was a hard choice as they were all exceptional. If you were to choose the neobladder and being in Vermillion, Ohio i would go to Dr. Koch at Indiana U. Medical Center if you can travel.

I wish you the best whatever you decide.
Pat

I posted this advice a month ago to another woman who had to make this decision. Since I would give the same advice again, I will.

Just thought I'd chime in with my two cents worth. You will find there are women very happy with their Neo's. I have a Neo and am not happy with it for the following reasons. Please be aware that some of this is graphic.

1. I am not fully continent. What that means is that I leak, some days more than others. I also can not fully empty. Which means that I also have to catheterize. I do not let this stop me and am very active, but it does take a mental tole. By the way diapers make your butt look flat so I tend to wear a lot of loose skirts.

2. Bathrooms are horrible. The stand and hover does not work for me because I am not able to release urine at that angle. So most times I have to catheterize when I am out and about. This works well most times, but standing is when I have a hard time controlling. If I don't cath fast enough I need to use the extra clothes I keep in the over sized purse that I am forced to carry. Plus most public bathrooms here in CA are not as clean as I would wish.

I am sorry if this is more information than you wanted, but I felt it was important to share.

3. Intercourse is no longer the spontaneous, leisurely past time that it used to be. I have to plan ahead, take a shower, catheterize, and hope I am done before my bladder fills again. Needless to say this has caused issues that me and my partner are still working through.

Please keep in mind that I know there are many women that are happy with their Neo and I am happy for them. I just wish that I could go back in time, and do the research I should have done.

Best of luck

Webs

I am posting this here for rk3943 so they can get a response.

Hi! I am new to the website and I am facing Bladder removal in a few days and can't make up my mind which way to go. My surgeon has said that at this point all three ways are an option for me. I am an active 65 year old woman and I would love to hear from anyone with their stories on the options. rk3943