Hospital Surgery · University Urology, PC
Cystectomy with Ileal Conduit
Surgical expectation guide covering pre-anesthesia testing, pre-surgery preparation, what to expect during surgery and recovery, and post-discharge instructions.
Your surgery date and arrival time
Your surgery date and arrival time are listed in the written instructions provided by our office. If you have any questions about your date, arrival time, or where to go, please contact our office at (865) 305-9254 or the pre-op RN directly at (865) 440-1579 to clarify before your surgery day.
Please refer to the driving & parking instructions for this appointment
See the Getting to UTMC page for directions, parking, and registration instructions for the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Pre-Anesthesia Testing
Pre-Anesthesia Consultation & Testing (PAT)
Before your surgery, you will have a Pre-Anesthesia Testing appointment at UTMC. This appointment ensures the day of surgery runs smoothly and safely.
What happens at your PAT appointment
- Full health history and physical exam
- Necessary lab work
- EKG and Chest X-Ray if age or medical conditions require
- Medication review — especially blood thinners and GLP-1 medications
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance cards
- Complete medication list with dosages and timing (prescription and over-the-counter)
- Names and phone numbers of all specialists and your primary care physician
What to tell your doctor
- Any personal or family history of bleeding disorders or anesthesia reactions
Your PAT appointment date and time
Your Pre-Anesthesia Testing date and time are listed in the written instructions provided by our office. If you have any questions about your PAT appointment, please contact our office at (865) 305-9254 or the pre-op RN at (865) 440-1579.
Pre-Surgery Instructions
Medications & Fasting
Blood thinners
Stop as directed by your prescribing physician — typically 3–7 days before surgery.
- Plavix and Warfarin: Stop 7 full days before surgery (e.g., if surgery is Wednesday, stop after Tuesday’s dose the prior week)
- Xarelto and Eliquis: Stop 2 full days before surgery (e.g., if surgery is Wednesday, stop after Sunday’s evening dose)
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, etc.)
Stop 7 days prior to surgery.
SGLT-2 medications (Jardiance, Invokana, Farxiga, Brenzavvy, etc.)
Stop 3 days prior to surgery.
Herbal medications and supplements
Stop 7 days prior to surgery.
All other prescription medications
Continue unless directed otherwise. Take approved medications on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.
Fasting Instructions
Starting 12 hours before your arrival time
Stop eating solid food. You may drink clear liquids only. Between 6:00 PM and midnight the night before surgery, drink at least 32 oz of Gatorade.
- Clear liquids include: water, Sprite, apple juice, Gatorade, black coffee (no cream)
After midnight the night before surgery
Nothing to eat or drink — no food, no liquids, no gum, no hard candy.
Blood thinners: do not stop without contacting your prescribing provider
If you have been prescribed aspirin or blood thinners by a cardiologist or other physician, contact that provider before making any changes. Do not stop on your own. Examples include: Warfarin (Coumadin), Plavix, Lovenox, Xarelto, Eliquis, and over-the-counter aspirin. If your blood thinner cannot be stopped for the required timeframe, contact your surgeon to discuss.
Day of Surgery
Hygiene & Logistics
Hygiene
Shower the night before and the morning of surgery using an antibacterial soap. Do not use lotions, powders, or deodorant on the day of surgery.
What to bring
Photo ID, insurance card, and your complete medication list. Leave all valuables and jewelry at home — your driver will be responsible for belongings while you are in surgery.
Hospital stay
You will spend approximately 5–10 days in the hospital. Before discharge you must meet specific recovery milestones: pain management with oral medications only, return of bowel function, and independent stoma management.
Surgery time may change
The time of your surgery may change. If your scheduled time changes, the facility will contact you. Please plan to be available for surgery at any time on your scheduled surgery date.
About the Procedure
What Is Cystectomy with Ileal Conduit Creation?
A cystectomy with ileal conduit creation involves removing the bladder and creating a new pathway for urine to exit the body through an opening in the abdominal wall (a stoma).
What happens during surgery
The surgeon removes the bladder and, in some cases, nearby organs or tissues — such as the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in women, or the prostate and seminal vesicles in men. A segment of small intestine is separated, the digestive system is reconnected, and the ureters are connected to one end of the intestinal segment. The other end is brought through the abdominal wall to create a stoma. A pouch placed over the stoma continuously collects urine as it flows from the kidneys.
Recovery
What to Expect During Recovery
In the hospital
Pain control will use a combination of IV and oral medications. Bowel function will be closely monitored. Walking early and frequently (beginning the day after surgery) is strongly encouraged to reduce blood clot risk, prevent pneumonia, and restore bowel function. Diet will advance from clear liquids to solid food as tolerated. Before discharge, you must demonstrate independent stoma management including emptying, changing the pouch, and caring for the skin around the stoma.
Things to avoid after discharge
Lifting
Nothing over 20 lbs for 6 weeks after surgery
Driving
Do not drive while taking prescription pain medications
Exercise
No strenuous exercise or core-intensive activities for 8 weeks
Water submersion
No baths, pools, or bodies of water for 6 weeks after discharge
Fatigue
Expect fatigue for 8–12 weeks. This is normal and will improve.
Full recovery
Complete recovery can take up to 3 months. Decreased appetite and some weight loss are common.
After Surgery
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your care team if you experience any of the following after discharge:
Fever
Temperature over 102.0°F
Wound concerns
Redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the incision or surgical site
Breathing / chest
Shortness of breath or chest pain
After hours
Call (865) 305-9254 and follow prompts for the on-call provider. For emergencies, go to your nearest ER or call 911.
University Urology & UTMC Contacts
Stoma Support
Help with Stoma Appliance & Care
If you have questions or difficulty with your stoma appliance after discharge, we recommend contacting The Pouch Place for a consultation.
The Pouch Place — Knoxville
- Phone: (865) 531-1285
- Address: 8805 Kingston Pike, Suite 106, Knoxville, TN 37923
Questions About Your Surgery?
Contact our office or message us through Klara. For day-of-surgery questions, call Leah directly at (865) 440-1579.