Kat, Something I haven't talked about on my site but feel like I should address is the financial cost of supplies following surgery. It is something I had not even really considered prior to my selection of a diversion. I have always had good medical insurance but as we know in today's times, it is not a given.
When I first started using catheters, I was only allowed 10 per month by my insurance. About a year later, medicare changed its allowance from 4 or 5 catheters per month to allow for 200 a month. This was apparently due to so many having UTIs as a result of re-using catheters. And for the first 3 years of using catheters, my insurance covered all the cost of the catheters and related supplies. In 2011, I now have to pay 10% of the costs so if I get all the supplies I had been getting, I pay about $250 per month, and next year my insurance will increase my portion to 30% of the cost. I do not know what I will be paying when I go on to Medicare.
So, that being said, it may be worth it for you to look at what your costs will be for supplies for the Indy vs. the bag. I have no idea what the costs are for those who have the bag but I am certain it is less expensive if the Indy user goes through 200 catheters per month. Me, I have been lucky and re-using has not caused me any UTIs, so when I need to re-use them, I do.
Well, I'm sure you didn't need to add this concern to your list of things for consideration, but it is worth checking into so you know what to expect.
I can't say much about hernias since I haven't had one. I was very cautious about lifting when I got home after surgery and even now won't attempt to lift anything over 35 pounds. I have heard that sometimes they are just a result of the surgery but there isn't much we can do to prevent something like that from happening. Maybe someone here on the forum will comment on that aspect.
As for my experience with the Indy, I have to say, in spite of some of the side effects, if I had to choose all over again, I would make the same selection. Overall, I have been happy with my quality of life and can't do most of the things I did prior to surgery. As I said earlier, I don't get to this website more than once or twice a week so if you have any specific questions for me, you can contact me via my website address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I just ask that you put "Bladder Cancer" in the subject line so I give your email proper attention.