incontinent to continent urostomy

[Sophies Girl]

Hi,

I currently have an ileal conduit, I tried the surgery for the continent diversion in 2006, but after 5 hours of surgery it failed. It took another 4 hours to revise the diversion and I still ended up with the bag. Having said that, I am keen to try again, as I hate the bag especially when it leaks and find it quite restrictive.

My urologist isn't keen as the stoma looks good and if the diversion fails again, then he cannot guarantee that another stoma would look as good.

Also a big worry is the mucus. Does anyone find it a problem trying to clear mucus with the catheters?

I am trying to build a case to enable me to answer each of his concerns.

Many thanks,

Fiona

[uroman]

Fiona,

I have had very little to no problem with the mucus. The only problems I have had since my last surgery (turned out that the problem was the cathing channel was coming unwrapped) is leakage at night. It is getting less for the most part. I am on an antibiotic to fight a bladder/kidney infection. The infection causes the bladder to cramp up forcing the urine out. During the day it has been working great. I worried, all the way into the OR until I was knocked out, if I was making the right decission. That was just over 1 year agon. The decission to make the switch was the right one.

If your urologist does not want to do it for what ever reason, get another opinion. Or even a third one if need be. By the way I wore the bag for 27-28 years. WHY SO LONG????? It took me more less a year to finally say, "OK I"M GOING TO DO IT."

Good Luck to You,
Uroman

[tom]

I have had a neo bladder for two years now with no problems a all. But now that the cancer is back I need another operation and will end up with a stoma. I have about a week to make the choice between a continent stoma or wearing the bag. Both of my Doctors suggest the bag saying there will be less likely of having problems down the road. But I just can't accept wearing a bag for the rest of my life either. I am a very active person in my early 60's. I just can't imagine my life with a bag stuck to my side. It sounds like everyone here is pretty much happy with their continent stoma. Any more thoughts or suggestions from anyone would be appreciated.

Tom

[Sophies Girl]

Tom, there will lots of helpful advice along shortly from the wonderful people on this forum. I got my urostomy when I was 30 and did take a while to adjust to the bag on my tummy. I would have liked the continent diversion but its not possible for me.

Having the bag has not interrupted my life as I find ways around it (different clothes etc). One thing I love about my bag is having the overnight drainage bag so I don't have to get up in the night. When my bladder was on the way out I was up several times a night do I now enjoy a long sleep!