Urostomy

A urostomy is an opening on your tummy (abdomen) made during surgery. It lets urine (pee) drain out of the body from the kidneys if your bladder has been removed. 

It is sometimes called an ileal conduit urinary diversion because it is made using part of the bowel called the ileum.

Surgery to remove the bladder is called a cystectomy. You may have this as part of your treatment for bladder cancer.

There are different types of urinary diversion and different types of stomas. We have more information about the following types:

• Bladder reconstruction (neobladder) – this is an operation to make a new bladder from a section of your bowel.
• Continent urinary diversion – this is an internal pouch connected to an opening on your tummy that you empty using a tube (catheter).
• Nephrostomy – this is an opening on the back of the body that lets urine drain from the kidney.
• Colostomy and illeostomy – this is an opening connecting the bowel to the tummy. These are not often part of treatment for bladder cancer.

A urostomy bag is a flat, watertight bag that you wear over the stoma to collect your urine (pee). Sometimes it is called a urostomy pouch.

The bag has a sticky back which can stay in place for several days without needing to be changed. It also has a small tap or valve at the lower end so you can empty the bag into a toilet when needed.

There are different brands and types of urostomy bags. These are available free on prescription. Your stoma nurse can give advice about which types might work best for you.

A urostomy produces urine (pee) steadily through the day. Most people get into their own routine of when and how often the bag fills up and needs emptied.

To empty your urostomy bag, you will do the following:

• Get into a comfortable position that lets you aim the urostomy bag tap or valve into the toilet. Some people stand or kneel. Others prefer to sit on the toilet.
• Open the tap or valve at the lower end of the urostomy bag and let the urine empty into the toilet.
• Dry the tap with toilet paper and make sure it is closed.

At night, you can attach a larger bag to the tap at the bottom of your urostomy bag. Overnight urostomy drainage bags collect more urine so you do not need to empty them until the morning.

Put empty used urostomy bags in a sealed bag and dispose of them in your household rubbish.

Having a urostomy is a big change to your body. It can take time to get used to. Your specialist nurse will give you lots of support before and after your operation. They will show you how to care for and manage the stoma.

You may find it helpful to talk to someone who is used to living with a urostomy. Your stoma nurse or the Urostomy Association may be able to arrange this for you. This can be very helpful, especially in the first few months after your operation.

Urostomy bags are flat. This means they will not be easily noticed under your clothes. How noticeable the bag is through your clothes depends on the size of the stoma and where the stoma is on your tummy.

Many people with a urostomy can wear their tightest clothes without anyone knowing they have a stoma bag. You may be very aware of your urostomy. But people will not usually notice it unless you choose to tell them.

If you feel anxious about your body or about going out in public, it may help to talk to others in a similar situation. Our Online Community has a stoma support forum where you can share your experience and find out how other people have coped.

You may also want to find out more about coping with body changes and body image after cancer. Or read our tips for using public toilets when you are out and about.

Having a urostomy will not usually affect the activities you can do. Many people are able to do go back to work and can do hobbies, including swimming. If you are worried about your life after surgery, you can talk to your stoma nurse.