Question 1

Will I experience a change in my sex life as a result of cystectomy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are chances. Cystectomy affects men and women differently. Women might find it difficult to have sex because changes in the vagina can make them feel discomfort during intercourse. Some women cannot have an orgasm if nerve damage has occurred. For men, they can have trouble in having erections, although improvement can be seen over time. For people who have a stoma pouch, you should empty the pouch before you engage in intercourse. You can ask about nerve-sparing techniques with your doctor. You should discuss all your concerns regarding how surgery can affect your sex life with your doctor.

Question 2

Why choose Narayana Health Hospital in India for bladder surgery?

Accepted Answer

Narayana Health is one of the best hospitals in Bangalore with a highly reputed Urology department. When you want to get complex surgeries done such as bladder surgery, then you need the best bladder surgeon. You can find the most experienced and skilled urologists in Bangalore at Narayana Health. There is a range of bladder-related problems that can be treated at this hospital. These include overactive bladder, bladder cancer, urinary incontinence, and stress incontinence. This makes Narayana Health the best urology hospital in Bangalore.

Question 3

When does one need bladder removal surgery?

Accepted Answer

Bladder removal surgery or cystectomy is performed in individuals with bladder cancer. The surgery can also help to treat other conditions like tumours in the pelvis or interstitial cystitis that doesn’t respond to other treatments. Less invasive options may be used if bladder cancer is still in its early stages.

Before going for bladder surgery, you can talk to the doctor and discuss all your options. The surgical procedures that need to be followed will depend on your overall health, the stage of cancer, the area where the cancer has formed, and whether the cancer is recurring.

Question 4

What to expect after cystectomy?

Accepted Answer

The patient is put under general anaesthesia before the bladder is surgically removed. Due to the effects of anaesthesia, it’s normal to feel groggy after waking up following the surgery. To manage the pain from surgery, the doctor will likely prescribe narcotics or epidural medications.

The patient will be moved from the post-operative room to a regular hospital room once their condition stabilises. The care team will assess the new system for urine evacuation during this time. The person will be discharged from the hospital when the new urine evacuation system starts functioning correctly. The healthcare team will explain to the person and their caregiver about using the system.

After being discharged from the hospital, it may take several weeks to recover. On average, people can resume their normal activities in about four to six weeks.

The first few weeks after the surgery are crucial for recovery. Proper follow-ups with the doctors are necessary to identify any complications and prevent it. Moreover, the follow-up visits will help the person to check with the doctor about any problems they are facing.

Question 5

Are there any risks associated with the surgery?

Accepted Answer

There is always a risk associated with any form of surgery. Some of the risks and complications that may arise from bladder removal surgery are:

Negative reaction to the anaesthesia
Bleeding or infection at the site of surgery
Urine leakage
Blood clots
Pouch stones
Damage to surrounding organs or tissues
Blocked urine path
Sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction, inability to orgasm, etc.

Question 6

What is bladder suspension surgery and who needs it?

Accepted Answer

Bladder suspension surgery is carried out to put a sagging bladder back into its normal position. It is used to treat stress incontinence. This condition causes you to leak urine whenever some activity like coughing, sneezing or running puts pressure or stress on the bladder. Women may suffer from stress incontinence when they lose muscle tone along the pelvic floor due to childbirth or hormonal changes that come with menopause.

There are non-invasive treatments as well for stress incontinence, such as medications, electrical stimulation and Kegel exercises, but they are recommended only if the condition is moderate or less severe. For more severe cases of stress incontinence occurring from childbirth, menopause, surgeries, or muscle problems in the bladder and urethra, bladder suspension surgery may be the only option.

It is important to note that most surgery failures occur due to incorrect diagnoses. Therefore, before considering bladder suspension surgery, it is recommended to get a second opinion.

Urinary Bladder Surgery