Radical cystectomy and creating a urinary diversion is major abdominal surgery. As with all major surgeries, some issues are bound to arise. Some of them gradually disappear and others you adapt to over time.
- Temporary loss of appetite
- Reduced energy
- Fatigue
- Loss of weight
- Infections
- Erectile dysfunction in men (you need to discuss potential treatments for this with your surgeon)
- Painful intimacy in women
- Body image issues
- Anxiety
- Feeling “different”
- Mucus in urine (which is continually produced by the intestinal section used to make the diversion) is unsightly and can potentially cause blockage and the need for catheterization
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