How to Recover From Bladder Surgery
Instructions
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Exercise regularly, per your doctor's instructions. Don't let fatigue be an obstacle. The more you work out, the less fatigue you will feel.
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Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. This will reduce the chance of constipation and straining during bowel movements, which can be damaging after bladder surgery.
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Perform pelvic exercises, per doctor's instructions, to regain full control of bladder functions. Squeeze the muscle you use to stifle gas and try to hold it for 10 seconds. Do 15 sets morning noon and night, and try to work up to 25. Regaining control can take several weeks.
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If a neobladder was made during surgery, irrigate it regularly. The hospital staff will provide instructions after surgery, but generally, you will inject it with sterilized water via the catheter and a sterilized syringe. Do this three times a day.
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In the case of a full bladder removal, or cystectomy, follow hospital instructions on cleaning and care of the stoma and replacement of the urine-collecting bags. Learning to do this on your own is critical in maintaining independence.
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Call your doctor if you experience any of the following: fever, swelling or pain around the incision, urine with blood or that is cloudy and foul-smelling, diarrhea, a noted decrease in urine output or a change in color of the stoma.
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Consider support groups or psychotherapy if depression persists after bladder surgery. There are groups dedicated specifically to bladder cancer patients, such as the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. Doctors also might prescribe antidepressants to help with recovery.
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