Ileovesicostomy and Sling Surgery

[Guest guest]

On the 15th of February I had an Ileovesicostomy and a sling done. This was an

extremely hard and very painful surgery. I just had my staples removed

yesterday and for the first time since having the surgery I can stand up

straight finally.

The surgery consisted of the surgeon having to take a section of my small

intestine, cutting my bladder in half, stitch the intestine into the bladder,

closing the bladder back up, attaching the other end of the small intestine to a

port on the right side even with my belly button, which attaches to a urostomy

bag.

Trust me it is as bad as it sounds. My surgery took about 5 1/2 hours and I had

a 7 day stay in the hospital. This is also a very bloody surgery and will

sometimes cause you to have to have blood transfusions.

He also did a sling under my bladder. Now for the bad part. After going

through all of this there is still very little urine going into my bag and I'm

leaking almost constantly through the urethra. He said this may stop on it's

own but if it doesn't they will have to go back in and completely close off the

urethra from the bladder.

I really wish they would have done this while they where in there and I'm still

not sure why he didn't. I'm pretty down in the dumps about this right now and

am unsure of what I want to do. The thought of them opening me back up

terrifies me to death.

I go back to my doctor in 4 weeks and I guess we will decide then on what to do.

All I can really say it make sure this is very necessary before proceeding

onward. Also, make sure they do everything while there in there the first time

so you don't have to make the decision of having to be opened back up.

I'm not meaning to scare you and I don't even know if this is the same type of

surgery you are talking about, but just be careful and make sure you have a

second and maybe a third opinion.

Gentle Hugs,

Carol

P.S. Does anyone have any suggestions that wouldn't include having to go back to

surgery?