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Bladder augmentation
CLAM CYSTOPLASTY
A major operation to make the bladder larger to treat an overactive bladder and incontinence
What is a bladder augmentation?
This is a major operation to make the bladder bigger if it isn't working normally.
It involves cutting open the bladder and sewing a patch of intestine (or bowel) between the two halves.
This increases the capacity of the bladder and can help relieve symptoms of an overactive bladder and urgency.
Need to know
This surgery usually is carried out under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a cut on your lower abdomen, below the bikini line. They will open the bladder across the top to form two halves. It will still be joined at the bottom end (the bladder neck) and look like an open clam, which is where it gets its surgical name from.
Your surgeon will then stitch a patch into the bladder to increase capacity. This can be made of small intestine (ileocystoplasty), large intestine (sigmoid cystoplasty) or stomach lining (gastro cystoplasty).
This is a major type of abdominal surgery so you will need to go through bowel preparation with special laxatives and enemas. This will be explained to you beforehand but it means you will have to be admitted to hospital at least a day before your surgery. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you and answer any questions you may have.
You will be cared for in hospital for around 10 days following the operation. You will have a catheter for seven to 10 days to keep the bladder empty while it heals.
Full recovery can take three to four months. Your consultant will let you know what to expect.
Paying for medical treatment
You don't need medical insurance to have fast access to our top consultants, extensive range of treatments, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures at our world-class facilities.
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The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.