I just realized that it is very important to make sure you empty your bladder before intubating. The bladder presses up against the k pouch and if it's full it could make getting the tube in more difficult.

Hey Chris..
not to take away from your post..but conversely:
At night my Kpouch presses against my bladder sending signals I should empty my bladder. After several nights of this..it has proven to be that the pouch needed emptying to relieve the pressure on my bladder. I can also tell you this happens when I eat a full meal later in the evening like 8pm.

I think that it may be different for men and women. I find that one generally depends on the other and usually when I am emptying my pouch my bladder releases at the same time and often more than once. It might not be the same for guys who can keep these functions completely seperate. Yes, it seems easier to intubate with an empty bladder and even more so now that I am having problems with the valve.
Sharon

Until this post popped up I wasn't sure if the K-pouch rested on the bladder for anyone else because it sure does for me! I usually pee before I intubate just because its easier to focus on getting the cath in if I'm not crossing my legs but sometimes I find I have to pee again shortly after intubating, like stuff that was kinda trapped because of the k-pouch being full is now free to flow. Weird really.

You folks are members of a very elite private club!

Ditto here...I have always felt that my pouch and bladder share the same space, but the docs look at me funny when I suggest this.

I also find that if I pee I can buy a little more time before I empty the pouch.

yes. i've found that as well (about buying time)
it seems i have something like superbladder now after surgery.
when i have to pee...good god i can pee for like 2 minutes straight! (that MAY be an exaggeration. but you get the idea)
and i definitely think that the pouch and the bladder interact with eachother sometimes.
or maybe it's just our brains, and the signals for those two functions getting crossed?

Hey Becca
Just want to say have fun at the UOAA conference.
Wish I was able to meet you guys.
Make sure you say hi to Dr Shore and Fran.
They are Chris's guiding force now!
Holly