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No good news here.
I closed up at about 1 year. Spent the night in the ER because I couldn't cath. They drained me through the abdominal wall. Went to the Uro the next morning and went through the 8 step dialation. Yup, it hurt...
I was told that I should stay away from the stent, they are nothing but trouble after 6 months. I was also told that I could have cuts in the scarring that might allow me to urinate. Then again, they might make me incontinent for the rest of my life.
I cath with a big one in the morning for about 7-8 minutes while shaving then use smaller ones during the day as needed.
It ain't great, but it works.

Hi Scott
Thanks for the post, it gives us info to ask more questions at our next visit. Nothing was explained about a stent, what kind of trouble would that cause? Laser surgery was mentioned but no details of what the procedure involves. We weren't told about cutting the scarring as an option. Do you have to cath all the time now because you choose not to have the scarring removed? Do you have to set an alarm and cath throughout the night also? I emailed Dr. Gee and he called last night and reassured John that scarring can happen and they are doing the right steps at this time. Pat

As I mentioned above, my neobladder worked for about a year. It slowly closed up over the last few months and one night I just couldn't pee. Oh boy.
After the dialation, I asked about the stent. My Uro told me that stents will work for about 6 months and then they too will close up. The scar tissue will either grow through them or around them. (They are mesh-like.) Either way, stents will be OK for a while but in 6 months or even less the problem can be much worse. Then you have to deal with scarring and an embedded stent.
He also told me that he could go in and cut channels through the scar tissue with a laser. (I would be out for that procedure.) Problem is, since the scar tissue is so close to the sphincter that controls urine flow, that the least little error can make you incontinent for the rest of your life. Also, there is no way to remove all of the scar tissue effectivly, it will just grow back.
For me, given the choice between catheters and diapers, I'll go for the catheters any day.
I cath 6-7 times a day, sometimes more, sometime less. At about 9 months I had regained regained contenence so I can now sleep through the night. You do have to watch your liquid intake after supper, though.
I dont know about the rest of my fellow neobladder-ites, but I have found that all it takes is the slightest hint that you have to pee and it wakes you right up. I guess there is something about the initial bedwetting that gets your mind attuned to the signals you receive.
One more thing, dialation lasted about 6 weeks for me. And I agree, it REALLY hurt.
Hang in there.
Scott

I am new here! I had neobladder surgery 3-19-09. Since the surgery I can urinate without the use of a catheter...thank God! My uro recently moved to Hawaii so I need a new one. He was the only one where I live. This surgery has been a life changing experience. I am 6 months post-op and I hope there are no future complications. Any feedback would be appreciated!