As you can see, radical cystectomy is very major surgery and you’ll have a lengthy recovery. Many parts of the body are affected during the surgery and need time to heal.
On average, your hospital stay will be 5 to 10 days. Walking starts the day after surgery. This helps the bowels to start working again. Remember, this is bowel surgery too, not just bladder surgery! Expect to be on a liquid diet for the first few days before solid foods are gradually introduced.
While in hospital, you’ll have a number of IV lines and tubes, depending on your type of surgery. These will provide pain control, urine drainage and drainage of excess fluid from the surgical site.