Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

Urotomy is what I want to do. I have a Suprapubic catheter on now.This procedure was done with no chance to discuss at urologist office since my stricture was practically closed. Since then I have seen three surgeons discussing this surgery and reconstructive surgery. The latter was ruled out after having VCUG test and Urodynamics test and finding out reconstructive surgery might not be successful. Hence I am left with choice Indiana Augmentation Cystoplasty. I am aware of the surgery performed but many questions remain. I am especially concerned about complications resulting from using bowel to divert urine, such as kidney problems, electrolyte & vitamin deficiency, infections, etc. Catherizing and irrigating mucous is there difficulty? What are the challenges with traveling and participating in activities? Will I need any home care? Those are a list of questions that I feel I have insufficient information even though I asked surgeons the above. They are not the most willing to elaborate. By the way surgery if I proceed will be done at. Cleveland Clinic. Thanks for your help. One more request I have been trying to find formal patients to talk to without success. Do you have any links that may help forward it.

Martin thanks for weighing in. I have since added a more recent post today and please respond if you can provide any info or any other sites you recommend . My wife is less than enthusiastic about this surgery and needs more convincing that this is preferred way to proceed. I live a very active lifestyle and hope I can resume it after I recover. Thanks for interest.

This is from the NIH, see if it answers any of your questions..... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22704181

I also have strictures and have had a RUG and Urodynamic test done at Mayo and UW Madison. I will be seeing Dr Husmann again soon.

Hi @palevsky,

I thought you might appreciate reading about augmentation cystoplasty in these medical journals:
– https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/443916-technique
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822349/

Hello. I'm not yet a member of the "club", but I am scheduled for bladder removal on June 6th - DaVinci surgery because of a high grade carcinoma.
My urologist and oncologist both recommended the exterior bag approach, saying that the procedure for a substitute bladder has many problems.
I had been hopeful that the cancer could be removed without total removal of the bladder. The biopsy revealed aggressive invasion of the lamina propria,
but stated that the tumor abuts the smooth muscle, but does not show definite invasion into the muscularis propria. I thought this could result in a less
serious surgical approach, but my doctors both said removal was necessary, because of squamous differentiation.
I will return to this site after my bladder removal, but welcome any comments in the interim.
Ed Barnas

@barneythe2nd

Hello Ed:

It sounds like you have acquired a good deal of information about your condition and have made your decision based on that information. That is commendable. We all need to advocate for ourselves and learn as much as we can about our options.

I do wish you well with your upcoming surgery and I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

Thanks so much for your support and information. I just got images sent to me on tests showing blockage and interpretation. I have seen another surgeon in San Francisco recently since I visit my daughter lives there and he is willing to give me a second opinion.
I still prefer having reconstruction but have been advised it will not be successful. I want to receive his perspective and then plan on proceeding.

Hello Ed, the doctor mentioned that this part of the body has bothered you till you remove this bad thing, you get to remove and go for it. In the mean time you find out and choose the best option it may fit to your body. I agreed with hopeful on this. You have to find and learn the options to fit best to yourself after the removal of bladder. My sis and I were the care giver of my mother who is now 80 years old. When she learned that she had a rectal cancer she did not want to go for operations. But her doctor told her she would not survive without the removal of the bad part which is attached to rectum. With so many opinions from individual patient and good advice from the doctor she has chosen the option without bag. She went for a critical Laparascopic surgery for 7 hours and after a few days, she went to close up the bag for normal surgery for another 3 hours. Since than she survive with the best option she has chosen. She is well recovered and her scan shows no cancer cell. A big relief for us. I wish you a smooth and successful surgery. I hope you find the best options. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Best wishes, Soul

@palevsky

That is very wise to collect good opinions and then make a decision based on the information. I wish you well.

Will you be seeing the surgeon in San Francisco in the near future?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa