Hi Dave, I have been through this over the last few years.I had the opp which was not very successful. A bag at first but made a fuss and was given a tap, which is much easier. That lasted for 6 months or so. then I was signed off. Kept having infections and trips to A&E with retention, emptied out and sent on my way after a few days Then a kidney infection which turned into Sepsis. Since then I have to Self Catheterise twice a day and keep a record of my production. It is not as bad as I expected, you get used to it. The operation is a lot easier now. They use Lasers to seal things up I think. I think you can go home the next day. I was in for 2 weeks after my opp, but the food was nice and I had TV and watched the first IPL Cricket from India. Good Luck. micW