After cystectomy for bladder cancer

Your care depends on whether urine drains into an external pouch, an internal reservoir, or a new bladder made from bowel. The surgical team should give instructions tailored to that diversion.

Tiredness, reduced appetite, abdominal soreness, and changes in bowel habits can occur while the body heals. Walking may feel difficult at first, but gentle movement supports circulation and bowel function. Recovery is gradual, and energy may vary from day to day.

An ileal conduit continuously drains urine through a stoma into a pouch. A continent reservoir is emptied with a catheter, while a neobladder requires scheduled emptying and sometimes catheter use. Mucus in the urine can occur because bowel tissue continues to produce it.

Follow the team's instructions for wound care, bathing, medicines, lifting, driving, and catheter or stoma supplies. Drink fluids as advised, eat small nourishing meals if appetite is limited, and increase activity in manageable stages. Keep drainage tubing free of kinks and record changes that concern you.

A stoma nurse can help with pouch fit, skin protection, leakage, mucus, and obtaining supplies. Pelvic rehabilitation, continence teaching, sexual-health support, and emotional support may also form part of recovery. Do not miss pathology reviews or follow-up appointments, because these guide any further cancer treatment and monitoring.

Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, worsening abdominal or pelvic pain, repeated vomiting, a wound that becomes increasingly red or drains pus, new swelling in one leg, or urine output that falls noticeably. Also report persistent pouch leakage, painful skin damage around a stoma, cloudy or foul-smelling urine with feeling unwell, or difficulty emptying a reservoir or neobladder.

Seek emergency help for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, sudden confusion, heavy bleeding, or complete inability to drain urine. These signs need urgent assessment rather than waiting for the next routine visit.

Ask how often to empty or irrigate your urinary diversion, which changes in urine or mucus are expected, and whom to call after clinic hours. Confirm when staples, stents, drains, or catheters will be removed and which activities remain restricted.

You can also ask what the final pathology showed, whether additional treatment is being considered, how kidney function will be monitored, and what support is available for continence, sexual function, body image, or returning to work.