I had total urinary retention after my Step 1 of 2 surgeries. No one had even mentioned this as a possibility. I was shocked! Even my surgeon kind of shined me on. When I asked him for the name of a urologist he said he didn't know any! Hmmmmmmm! My gastroenterologist referred me to a friend of his who was a urologist. He explained that the area worked on during surgery is close to the nerves which serve the urinary bladder and if great care isn't taken during the surgery, there is a chance of temporary or permanent damage. At that time I still had a Foley catheter and a urinary bag. What a bother that was! This doc sent me to the ET nurse who removed the Foley and taught me how to self cath. The urologist told me to try urinating on my own before catheterizing and to measure the output. After about 6 months of doing this he told me I no longer had to self cath! I was lucky. I have met people who have to self cath for life because they never regained natural urinary function. Actually, I found the process of self catheterization very convenient compared to the urgency of needing to urinate NOW and having to wait in line for a toilet.....usually a woman's problem! Best wishes!

I haven't lost the function but it definitely operates differently. I noticed when I feel I have to pee I have to sit down and actually lean really far forward to get it going and most of the time it is an uncomfortable feeling. What happens also is about 3 inches below my belly button where my scars are if I have a continuous stream it starts to indent like something is pulling from the inside and sometimes its so uncomfortable I have to stop midstream. Fortunately I haven't totally lost the ability by there is always a risk because everything is in the same area. My surgeon actually nicked my bladder while doing the surgery and had to sew it.

I think I will get it back in time, but it was never discussed that "this could be a risk" and I was very dissapointed when it happened. I now can void about 40 -50% of the time and about 50-60% volume. I also have found self cathing can be a good option. Its good to know at times that you have completely emptyed.
Any trouble with incontinence?
At times I feel like an adult infant. Cant pee Cant poop.

BTW.....my urologist said it is not necessary to empty the bladder 100% when urinating. Can't remember how much residual urine is okay to have in the bladder after peeing. Maybe Jan knows. I've trained myself to empty my J-pouch every time I use the toilet to urinate. Problem is, when asked to give a urine specimen, I cannot give a clean catch! So, I really am glad I know how to self catheterize. It is far more reliable (clean) a sample I submit to the lab than one I'd secure by unassisted means.

My mom's friend was experiencing bladder problems after she had a hysterectomy. Although she had different problems in which she would have to wear diapers because she had accidents. We sent her to the Cleveland Clinic because we love it there and they found that when she had her hysterectomy they actually punctured her bladder.Maybe they should open you up again just to make sure they didn't do anything

I have Interstitial Cystitis a very common bladder condition. I have it due to nerve damage from abdominal surgery I had back in 2004. Some people get IC if they have other auto-immune disorders. Something you might want to explore.

For years doctors said I had UTIs but turned out I had IC the whole time.

See a Urologist or Urogynecologist (if female). Pelvic Floor Disorder goes hand in hand with it so if it is PFD that can be addressed.