Prepare for the surgery as you have been told. In addition:

• Tell your doctor about all medicines you take. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, herbs and other supplements. It also includes any blood thinners, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or daily aspirin. You may be told to stop taking some or all of them before surgery. 

• Do not eat or drink during the 8 hours before your surgery. This includes coffee, water, gum, and mints. (If you have been instructed to take medicine, take them with a small sip of water.)

• If you have been told to, prepare your bowel for surgery (“bowel prep”). This process begins 1 to 2 days before the surgery. Your doctor may tell you to restrict your diet to clear liquids. You may also be asked to take laxatives or to give yourself an enema. Follow all instructions you are given.

The surgery takes 4 to 6 hours. Afterward, you will stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 nights.

After the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be monitored while you wake up from the anesthesia. You may feel sleepy and nauseated. If a breathing tube was used, your throat may be sore at first. When you are ready, you will be taken to your hospital room. While you’re in the hospital:

• You will be given medicine to manage pain. Let your providers know if your pain is not controlled.

• You’ll get IV fluids until you can start on a liquid diet. You’ll then slowly return to a normal diet.

• As soon as you’re able, you’ll get up and walk.

• You will be shown coughing and breathing techniques to help keep your lungs clear and prevent pneumonia.

• If you are sent home with a catheter or drains, you will be shown how to care for them.

After your hospital stay, you will be released to an adult family member or friend. Have someone stay with you for the next few days, to help care for you. Recovery time varies for each person. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your normal routine. Until then, follow the instructions you have been given. Make sure to:

• Take all medicines as instructed.

• Care for your incision as instructed. If you go home with catheters or drains, take care of these as you were shown.

• Follow your doctor’s guidelines for showering. Don't swim, bathe, use a hot tub, or do other activities that cause the incision to be covered with water until the doctor says it’s OK.

• Don't lift anything heavy or do strenuous activities, as directed.

• Don't drive until your doctor says it’s OK. Don't drive if you’re taking medicine that make you drowsy or sleepy.

• Walk a few times daily. As you feel able, slowly increase your pace and distance.

• Don't strain to pass stool. If needed, take stool softeners as directed by your doctor.

• Drink plenty of water. This helps prevent urine odor and dehydration.

Call your healthcare provider right away If you have any of the following:

• Chest pain or trouble breathing (call 911)

• Fever of 100.4°F  (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Increasing pain, redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding, or drainage at the incision site

• Pain that worsens or that is not controlled with pain medicine

• Little or no urine for longer than 4 hours

• Leakage around the catheter

• Burning or pain when passing urine (after the catheter is removed)

• Frequent need to pass urine

• Blood clots in the urine (some pink-tinged urine is normal)

• Problems with catheters or drains

• Pain or swelling in the legs

You will have follow-up visits so your doctor can check how well you’re healing. Any drains, catheters, and stitches you have will be removed. If you had cancer, you will have regular testing to make sure you remain cancer-free. Your doctor can tell you more.

• Bleeding (may require a blood transfusion)

• Infection

• Blood clots in the legs

• Pneumonia or other lung problems

• Scarring

• Urine leakage at the site of bladder incision

• Damage to nearby nerves, tissues, or organs

• Bladder may not hold as much urine as before

• Failure to remove all cancerous tissue, or cancer comes back

• Risks of anesthesia (the anesthesiologist will discuss these with you)