Why is this procedure done?
Urine is stored in your bladder. There are muscles in the bladder wall and at the end of the bladder. Both of these muscles work together to keep the urine in the bladder until you are ready to pass urine. Pregnancy, menopause, or previous surgeries may cause the muscles to become weak. Then, the muscles will not work correctly. Urine may leak out when you sneeze or cough. Stress incontinence is a common term for this kind of leakage. Urine may also leak when you lift something heavy. ‚
Surgery may be needed to correct the stress incontinence. ‚
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What will the results be?
The bladder will be returned to its normal position. You will stop the uncontrolled leaking of urine. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some examples are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about all of your drugs.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- Urodynamic testing to check urine flow rate and amount of urine left in bladder after urination
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. The drug will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- Sometimes, the doctor will give you a special drug to make you numb for the surgery. Other times, you are fully asleep.
- Your doctor will put a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- The doctor will clean your vaginal area. Your doctor will make two small cuts on your vagina.
- The doctor will use a sling to support the bladder and urethra. The sling is made up of man-made material, tissue from your own body, or tissue from someone elses body. Your doctor will put in the sling so that the sling goes around the urethra.
- If you are awake, your doctor may ask you to cough. Your doctor will close your cuts with stitches or staples and cover your cuts with clean bandages.
- The procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. You may go home when your doctor tells you to.
- You may have pain and numbness after the procedure. The pain may get worse when the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor will give you drugs for the pain.
- You will have a tube in your bladder. Your doctor will take the tube out after 2 to 3 days or when you are able to empty your bladder fully.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you drugs for pain and to prevent infection. Take the drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Your urine may be bloody for up to 5 days.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of fluids each day. Drinking water will help flush out the blood from your urine.
- Passing urine may be painful after the catheter has been removed.
- Avoid straining to pass urine or to have a bowel movement.
- If you have your period after the procedure, use pads but not tampons.
- Do not soak in a hot tub or go swimming.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Avoid strenuous exercise until your doctor says you may exercise.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- After surgery, your doctor will set a visit to take out your catheter.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bladder spasm
- Not able to pass urine
- Injury to nearby organs
- Blood clots
- Sling might break away
- Allergy to the sling
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection such as swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Bloody urine that does not go away after a week
- You still have urine leaks
- No urine for 6 hours
- Urine seems to be coming from another opening
Where can I learn more?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Surgery-for-Stress-Urinary-Incontinence ‚
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=143 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚