Surgery for muscle invasive bladder cancer
Before , you have tests to check your fitness and you meet members of your treatment team. This pre-op assessment usually happens a couple of weeks or a few days before your operation. Then you usually go into hospital on the morning of your operation, or the day before.
Most people are in hospital for around 1 to 2 weeks. The length of your stay depends on the type of operation you have and your recovery.
You have tests before your operation to check:
you are well enough to have an operation and anaesthetic
that you’ll make a good recovery from surgery
The tests you have depend on what operation you are having and any other health conditions you have. You might have some or all of the following tests:
blood tests to check the level of and how well your kidneys are working
a swab test to rule out some infections
an (electrocardiogram) or (echocardiogram) to check that your heart is healthy - some people might have both
breathing tests (called lung function tests)
a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy
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The pre operative assessment team will explain what these tests are for and how to prepare for them. You might have these tests as part of your pre operative assessment appointment. Sometimes you have them at a separate appointment.
You also have a to match your blood for any transfusions you might need during your surgery.
One or two weeks before your surgery you have an appointment at the hospital pre assessment clinic.
Your pre assessment appointment prepares you for your operation. You meet members of your treatment team at this appointment.
The doctor or nurse will tell you what to do on the day of your operation. This includes instructions about when to stop eating and drinking, and whether to stop taking any of your medicines. Do not stop taking your regular medicines unless the doctor tells you to.
Your doctor or nurse might also talk to you about the Enhanced Recovery Programme at your hospital. This is a programme of care that helps people recover more quickly after a big operation.
Ask lots of questions. It helps to write down all your questions beforehand to take with you. The more you know about what is going to happen, the less frightening it will seem.
You can ask more questions when you go into hospital on the day so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.
Before your operation you'll meet:
Your surgeon will tell you about:
the operation you are going to have
the benefits of having surgery
the possible risks
what to expect afterwards
They'll also ask you to sign a consent form to agree to the operation, once they know you understand what's involved.
The anaesthetist looks after you during the operation and gives you medicine (anaesthetic) that gets you to sleep. They also make sure you’re fit enough to have the surgery.
The nurse checks your:
general health
weight
blood pressure
heart rate (pulse)
temperature
breathing rate (respiration)
The nurse looks after you straight after surgery and until you’re ready to home. They also check what help and support you have and find out what's needed when you go home.
There are other members of the healthcare team you might meet. This depends on:
the operation you're having
your general health before you go for your operation
The dietitian gives you help and advice about managing your diet. They might:
help you get as well as possible before your operation
explain how the surgery affects your diet
give useful tips on how to increase your nutrients and calories
Your dietician might give you nutritional supplement drinks before surgery. Or you may need it after surgery.
Some people need a feeding tube in their or small bowel. This makes sure you get the nutrition you need before and after your surgery.
The physiotherapist assesses how well you can move around. They let the doctors know if there is anything that could affect your recovery. They’ll also make sure you are safe to go home and get around. They can see if you need anything to help getting around easier like a walking frame for instance.
To help with recovery they might also teach you leg and breathing exercises to do after your operation. Learning how to do the exercises beforehand makes it easier afterwards.
You might see a nurse if you are having a:
reconstruction, in case your surgeon is unable to make a new bladder
Stoma nurses are experienced in looking after stomas. They help show you how to look after your stoma.
Get more information on living with a stoma
You might need to follow a special diet for a few days before your surgery. This special diet reduces the amount of stool (poo) in the bowel.
You might have some liquid ( ) gently put into your back passage (rectum). This empties the bowel completely.
Breathing exercises help to stop you from getting a chest infection after surgery. If you smoke, it helps if you can stop at least a few weeks before your operation.
Leg exercises help to stop blood clots forming in your legs. You might also have medicines to stop the blood from clotting. You have them as small injections under the skin.
You start the injections after your operation. You might also wear anti embolism stockings or have pumps on your calves to help the circulation.
Your nurse and physiotherapist will get you up out of bed quite quickly after your surgery. This is to help prevent chest infections and blood clots forming.
This 3-minute video shows you how to do the breathing and leg exercises.
You can usually drink clear fluids until 2 hours or so before the surgery. They might also give you high protein, high calorie drinks to have each day. These can help maintain your nutrition and help you recover more quickly after the operation.
You usually have to stop eating at least 6 hours before your operation. They may even tell you to not eat anything from the night before your operation.
Follow the instructions given to you by your team of when to stop eating and drinking.
It’s likely you will have before the operation to help stop infection. You have the antibiotics as an injection or as tablets.
It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:
taking time off work
care for children or other loved ones
care for your pets
care for your house
cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries
Take in:
nightgowns or pyjamas
underwear
dressing gown
slippers
contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case
wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste etc
sanitary wear or tampons
towel
small amount of money
medicines you normally take
magazines, books, playing cards
headphones and music to listen to
a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls
chargers for electronic devices
a copy of your last clinic letter (if you have one)
Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:
whether the ward is allowing visitors
if they have set visiting times
the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are
The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.
You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.
Last reviewed: 15 Aug 2025
Next review due: 15 Aug 2028
Surgery is one of the main treatments. The surgeon usually removes all your bladder and makes a new way for you to pass urine.
You will have a few tubes in place when you wake up, such as a drip, wound drain and catheter. You will be in hospital for around 1 or 2 weeks.
Muscle invasive bladder cancer has spread into or through the muscle layer of the bladder. The main treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of bladder cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Bladder cancer is cancer that starts in the lining of the bladder.
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