Cystectomy
Removal of the bladder (radical cystectomy), usually for bladder cancer. Includes planning for a urinary diversion.
What to expect
Your Journey
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Before surgery
Before your operation you will meet with a stoma nurse specialist who will assess your tummy and mark the best position for your urinary diversion (an ileal conduit bag or another type). You will also attend a pre-assessment clinic for blood tests, heart assessment, and medication review. Prehabilitation (walking and breathing exercises) and stopping smoking are particularly important for this operation. -
The day of surgery
You will be admitted on the morning of surgery or the night before. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and takes 4–6 hours. Afterwards you will go to the intensive care unit (ICU) or high-dependency unit (HDU) with a urinary drain or catheter, abdominal drains, and a drip. Your team will explain each tube before you go to theatre. -
In hospital
Recovery takes 7–10 days, with your stoma nurse spending time each day teaching you how to care for your urinary diversion (changing bags, cleaning the stoma, and recognising problems). Diet is reintroduced gradually, and physiotherapy helps you get up and moving from day one. Before you go home, you will be confident managing your urinary diversion independently. -
Going home
Your stoma nurse will arrange follow-up visits and make sure you have an adequate supply of equipment when you leave. A surgical follow-up appointment is usually within 2–4 weeks. Contact your team urgently if you develop fever, loin or flank pain, significantly reduced urine output, or bleeding from the stoma.
The people around you
Who looks after you
A lot of people are involved in getting you safely through an operation. Knowing who does what can make the whole experience feel less unfamiliar.
Your anaesthetist
Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who are trained in anaesthesia, pain management, and the care of seriously unwell patients. You will meet yours before the operation: they will go through your health, explain the plan, and answer any questions.
During surgery, your anaesthetist stays with you the whole time. They give the medications that keep you under anaesthesia and free of pain, and continuously monitor your breathing, heart, blood pressure, and fluids as the operation is happening. Afterwards they plan your pain relief, so you can breathe deeply, move, and recover. If you are worried about anything at all, tell them. Helping you through this safely and comfortably is their entire job.
Your surgeon
Surgeons are specialist doctors. You will usually meet yours first in clinic, to talk through whether surgery might be a helpful treatment option, what the risks are, and what happens if you choose not to have an operation. Sometimes an anaesthetist and other specialists are involved in these decisions too. Your surgeon performs your operation, and after surgery their team looks after you on the ward and plans your follow-up.
Pre-assessment nurse
Sees you in the weeks before surgery to review your health, medications, and test results, and to make sure everything is ready for the day. A good person to ask early questions.
Anaesthetic technician
A specially trained member of the theatre team who works alongside your anaesthetist, preparing and checking equipment and helping care for you throughout the operation.
Theatre and PACU nurses
Theatre nurses help to look after you, assist the surgeons, manage surgical equipment, and ensure everything runs smoothly. In the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), specialised nurses monitor you closely as you wake and treat pain or nausea straight away.
Ward nurses
Your day-to-day carers in hospital: medications, wound care, and keeping an eye on your progress. They are your first port of call whenever something doesn't feel right.
Physiotherapist
Helps you recover movement and function after surgery. What this looks like depends on your operation: it might be breathing exercises to protect your lungs, joint exercises after a replacement, or simply helping you walk safely again. Getting moving is one of the most important parts of recovery, and they will guide you from your first steps out of bed.
Hospital pharmacist
Checks your medicines when you arrive and when you leave, making sure nothing is missed and your discharge medications are right.
Cultural and pastoral support
Most hospitals offer support for you and your whānau throughout your stay, including Māori and Pacific health services and chaplaincy for all faiths and none. Ask any staff member for a referral.
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