What should you know about post radical cystectomy?

Radical cystectomy removes the bladder and may include nearby tissues or lymph nodes. Because urine needs a new route, your surgeon may create an ileal conduit, a continent reservoir, or a neobladder. The type determines whether you use an external pouch, catheterisation, or timed toilet visits.

Early changes can include tiredness, altered bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, and changes in urine handling. Recovery is individual; wound healing and confidence with the diversion often improve step by step. Bladder cancer follow-up may include examination, blood tests, imaging, and checks of kidney function.

Take medicines exactly as prescribed and keep the incision and any stoma clean and dry according to your discharge instructions. Empty or change the pouch before it becomes heavy, and watch the skin around the stoma for soreness or leakage. Drink the amount recommended by your team unless they have restricted fluids.

Walk briefly and often, increase activity slowly, and avoid heavy lifting until cleared. Keep a record of urine output, bowel changes, temperature, and questions for the follow-up visit. Do not start intravesical treatment or other cancer therapy without confirmation that it fits your new treatment plan.

Contact your surgical team promptly for fever, worsening redness or drainage, increasing abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, very little urine, new blockage, or a stoma that becomes unusually dark. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or sudden confusion.

Ask which urinary diversion you have, how to measure output, when staples or dressings should be removed, which activities are restricted, and how follow-up will monitor kidney function and cancer control. Ask who to call if the pouch leaks or the skin breaks down.