Urologist Questions Bladder Diseases

Is the recovery from neobladder reconstruction long?

My son is going to have neobladder reconstruction done after the doctor saw that he had several abnormalities in his bladder. Is the recover from this surgery long and painful?

6 Answers

Yes.
With good observation and follow up by his Doctor the recovery will not be too long
Sorry to hear he needs surgery but it should really help him to have a bladder that will be able to store the urine effectively but also safely and protect his kidneys.
The recovery varies by technique but it will take him usually about 3-4 weeks to be back to normal. Pain will depend upon the technique used.
Likely will need to catheterize and irrigate the augmented bladder also.
Yes
Yes. It is a 5-21 day hospital stay. You can have multiple complications that delay your discharge. The main problems are urinary leak, bowel obstruction, ileus (intestines slow to wake up), bowel leak, electrolyte abnormalities, MI, pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. The younger the patient, the quicker the recovery. Typically are able to return to full activities in 6-8 weeks. He also needs to learn to catheterize himself now. 25% of patients can’t fully empty and need to catheterize long term.

Dr. Niko Lailas
Neobladder formation is a very unique and skill dependent surgery. Always ask your surgeon about their individual experience and go to a high volume surgeon at a high volume center where these unique procedures are done routinely. Outcomes are very much dependent on these factors.