I had the  bladder augmentation surgery 17 years ago performed by Dr. Shlomo Raz, at UCLA urology department. At the time I  really had no other choice but to do it because  I had taken so many  antibiotics that I was immune  to them. I was sick with infections all the time affecting my ability to work.

The surgery changed my life completely. It gave me the freedom from the ball and chain that used to be the indwelling catheter,  the leg bag and the night drainage bag.    I gained so much independence by not being tethered to a caregiver every 3 to 6 hours to  help me empty the bag.   Getting rid of those items made it easier to transfer, dress, and feel better about myself.

In light of my success and happiness with having done the surgery, I need to make everyone aware that you must be healthy and honest with your surgeon. I recommended this surgery  to another quadriplegic who was desperate for a solution to change her life. What she did not tell the surgeon was that she was treating herself by going to multiple doctors and pharmacies for antibiotics and pain meds. During her surgery, she died because her heart just wasn't strong enough to handle the surgery.

I am a C5–6 quadriplegic with limited hand function, however, I have no issues with inserting the catheter and empty the bladder.

Here is a video from a bladder augmentation patient, a 22-year-old woman that discusses her surgery from UCLA by a  Dr. that I'm assuming is a student of Dr. Raz'.  

Here is an articles about this surgery from New Mobility Magazine:

What About Bladder Augmentation Surgery?
By Bob Vogel