Why Pelvic Floor Exercises Are Essential After Neobladder Surgery

Neobladder is a form of bladder reconstruction surgery, often used in patients who have had cancer, or have needed their bladder removed (cystectomy) for another reason. Neobladder is major surgery, and in order to maintain continence after the procedure, it is vitally important to Kegel exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor and maintain control and continence.

What Is Neobladder Surgery?

Neobladder surgery is a life-changing procedure that can help people who need to have their bladder removed, often due to serious bladder problems or bladder cancer. During the operation, surgeons create a new bladder — known as a neobladder — using a small section of the bowel. This new bladder is then connected to the urethra and the tubes from the kidneys so urine can still leave the body in a more natural way.

Although it can feel overwhelming, many people go on to regain continence, confidence, and quality of life after surgery. Your surgical team will do everything they can to protect the nerves and muscles around the bladder and pelvic floor to support your recovery and bladder control.

What to Expect During Neobladder Surgery

Neobladder surgery is major surgery and is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be asleep throughout the procedure. Recovery takes time, patience, and support, but you won’t be alone — your medical team will guide you through every stage.

After surgery, you will have a catheter in place to help drain urine while your body heals. You may feel tired, sore, or emotional afterwards, which is completely normal. Pain relief, support, and advice will be available throughout your recovery.

Once your bowel starts working again, you’ll slowly begin drinking fluids and eating light meals before gradually returning to a more normal diet.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether you’re worried about continence, recovery, intimacy, or returning to normal life, support is available and no concern is too small.

Bladder Control After Neobladder Surgery

It’s very common to experience bladder leaks or reduced bladder control in the early stages after neobladder surgery. Your new bladder needs time to stretch, adapt, and learn how to function.

In the first few weeks, you’ll usually need to empty your bladder regularly during both the day and night while the neobladder heals and adjusts. Over time, the bladder gradually increases its capacity and bladder control often improves significantly.

Recovery is different for everyone, so it’s important to be patient with your body and celebrate progress step by step.

Why Pelvic Floor Exercises Matter

One of the best ways to support bladder control and continence recovery after neobladder surgery is by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.

Your pelvic floor muscles help support the bladder and control urine flow. When these muscles are weak, it can be harder to stay dry — especially after major pelvic surgery.

Before surgery, strengthening your pelvic floor can help prepare the muscles for recovery. After surgery, pelvic floor exercises can help retrain and rebuild muscle strength once your consultant says it is safe to begin.

At first, many people start with gentle manual pelvic floor exercises, including both:

• Slow contractions to build endurance and support bladder control
• Fast contractions to help prevent leaks when coughing, sneezing, or moving suddenly

Pelvic floor exercises can support both men and women recovering from neobladder surgery.

How Kegel8 Can Support Your Recovery

Recovering from neobladder surgery can feel daunting, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Kegel8, we are passionate about helping people strengthen and support their pelvic floor with expert guidance and clinically trusted pelvic floor exercise solutions.

If your healthcare team advises that pelvic floor training is suitable for you, Kegel8 devices can help support pelvic floor rehabilitation by automatically stimulating and strengthening weak muscles using gentle NMES technology.

Many people struggle to feel their pelvic floor muscles working after surgery — especially when muscles are weak or healing. Kegel8 helps take away the guesswork by helping activate the pelvic floor muscles automatically.

As a proudly British, women-owned company, Kegel8 has supported thousands of women and men through pelvic floor recovery, bladder weakness, continence challenges, and confidence rebuilding — always with understanding, support, and expert advice every step of the way.

Important Medical Advice

Always follow the guidance of your consultant, physiotherapist, or healthcare team before starting pelvic floor exercises or using an electronic pelvic floor toner after surgery.

If your surgery is linked to active pelvic cancer treatment, Kegel8 electronic pelvic floor toners should not be used unless approved by your healthcare professional.