The sling procedure, or suburethral sling procedure, refers to a particular kind of surgery using ancillary material to aid in closure of the urethral sphincter function of the bladder. It is performed as a treatment of severe urinary incontinence. The sling procedure, also known as the suburethral fascial sling or the pubovaginal sling, has many forms due to advances in the types of material used for the sling. Some popular types of sling material are Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), Gore-Tex ® , and rectus fascia (fibrous tissue of the rectum). The surgery can be done through the vagina or the abdomen and some clinicians perform the procedure using a laparoscope—a small instrument that allows surgery through very small incisions in the belly button and above the pubic hairline. The long-term efficacy and durability of the laparoscopic suburethral sling procedure for management of stress incontinence are undetermined. A new technique, the Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Sling Procedure (TVT), has gained popularity in recent years and early research indicates high success rates and few postoperative complications. This procedure is done under local anesthetic and offers new opportunities for treatment of stress incontinence. However, TVT has not been researched for its long-term effects. Finally, there are many surgeons who use the sling procedure for all forms of incontinence.
Incontinence is very common and not fully understood. Generally defined as the involuntary loss of urine, incontinence comes in many forms and has many etiologies. Four established types of incontinence, according to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, affect approximately 13 million adults—most of them older women. Actual prevalence may be higher because incontinence is widely underreported and underdiagnosed. The four types of incontinence are: stress incontinence, urge incontinence (detrusor overactivity or instability), mixed incontinence, and overflow incontinence. There are also other types of incontinence tied to specific conditions, such as neurogenic bladder in which neurological signals to the bladder are impaired.
Stress incontinence is the most frequently diagnosed form of incontinence and occurs largely with physical activity, laughter and coughing, and sneezing. The inability to hold urine can be due to weakness in the internal and external urinary sphincter or due to a weakened urethra. These two conditions, intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and urethral hypermobility or genuine stress incontinence (GSI), pertain to the inability of the "gatekeeper" sphincter muscles to stay taut and/or the urethra failing to hold urine under pressure from the abdomen. In women, as the pelvic structures relax due to age, injury, or illness, the uterus prolapses and the urethra becomes hypermobile. This allows the urethra to descend at an angle that permits loss of urine and puts pressure upon the sphincter muscles, both internal and external, allowing the mouth of the bladder to stay open.
Urge incontinence, the other frequent type of incontinence, pertains to overactivity of the sphincter in which the muscle contracts frequently, causing the need to urinate. Stress incontinence is often allied with sphincter overactivity and is often accompanied by urge incontinence.
Severe stress incontinence occurs most frequently in women younger than 60 years old. It is thought to be due to the relaxation of the supporting structures of the pelvis that results from childbirth, obesity, or lack of exercise . Some researchers believe that aging, perhaps due to estrogen deficiency, is a major cause of severe urinary incontinence in women, but no link has been found between incontinence and estrogen deficiency. Surgery for stress or mixed incontinence is primarily offered to patients who have failed, are not satisfied with, or are unable to comply with more conservative approaches. It is often performed during such other surgeries as urethra prolapse, cystocele surgery, urethral reconstruction, and hysterectomy .
The sling procedure gets its name from the tissue attached under the mid- or proximal urethra and sutured at its ends onto a solid structure like the rectus sheath, pubic bone, or pelvic side walls. The procedure is used in the severest cases of stress incontinence, particularly those that have a concomitant sphincter inadequacy (ISD). The sling supports the urethra as it receives pressure from the abdomen and helps the internal sphincter muscles to keep the urethral opening closed. The procedure is the most popular because it has the highest success rate of all surgical remedies for severe stress incontinence related to sphincter inadequacies in both men and women.
Urinary incontinence (UI) plagues 10–35% of adults and at least half of the million nursing home residents in the United States. Other studies indicate that between 10% and 30% of women experience incontinence during their lifetimes, compared to about 5% of men. One reason that more women than men have incontinent episodes is the relatively shorter urethras of women. Women have urethras of about 2 in (5 cm) and men have urethras of 10 in (25.4 cm). Studies have documented that about 50% of all women have occasional urinary incontinence, and as many as 10% have regular incontinence. Nearly 20% of women over age 75 experience daily urinary incontinence. Incontinence is a major factor in individuals entering long term care facilities. Women at highest risk are those who have given birth to more than three children and women who were given oxytocin to induce labor. Oxytocin puts more pressure on the pelvic muscles than does ordinary labor. Women who smoke have twice the rate of incontinence, according to one study of 600 women. Those women who do high-impact exercises are at much higher risk for incontinence. According to the medical literature, those at highest risk for urinary leakage are gymnasts, followed by softball, volleyball, and basketball players. Finally, women who have diabetes or are obese have higher rates of incontinence. Women who require sling procedures have often had other surgeries for incontinence, necessitating sling procedure to treat intrinsic sphincter deficiency caused by operative trauma. A rarer cause of stress incontinence in older women is urethral instability. In men, stress incontinence is usually caused by sphincter damage after surgery on the prostate.
Anti-incontinence surgery is used to address the failure of two parts of female urinary continence: loss of support to the bladder neck or central urethra and intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). The surgery does not restore function to the urethra or to the ability for closure to the sphincter. It replaces the mechanism for continence with supporting and compressive aids. Stabilizing the supporting elements of the urethra (ligaments, fascia, and muscles) was thought for many years to be the most important factor in curing incontinence. Called anatomic or genuine stress urinary incontinence (SUI), retropublic procedures, like the Burch procedure, sought only to restore the urethra to a fixed position. However, it became clear with the high failure rate of these procedures that ISD was present and unless surgery could confer some added compressive ability to the closure of the bladder, SUI would persist.
The urethral sling procedure is effective in the treatment of the severest types of incontinence (Types II and III) by re-establishing the "hammock effect" of the proximal or central point of the urethra during abdominal straining. The surgery involves the placement of a piece of material under the urethra at its arterial or vesical juncture and anchoring it on either side of the pubic bone or to the abdominal wall or vaginal wall. This technique involves the creation of a sling from a strip of tissue from the patient's own abdominal fascia (fibrous tissue) or from a cadaver. Synthetic slings also are used, but some are prone to break down over time.
The urethral sling procedure is most often performed as open surgery, which involves entering the pelvic area from the abdomen or from the vagina while the patient is under general or regional anesthesia. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are offered intravenously. If the patient is fitted with a urethral catheter, ampicillin and gentamicin are administered instead. The patient is placed in stirrups. Surgery takes place as a 6-to-9-cm by 1.5-cm sling is harvested from rectal tissue and sutured under the urethra at each end within the retropubic space (the area that undergirds the urethra). Synthetic tissue or fascia from a donor may also be used.
The goal of the surgery is to create a compression aid to the urethra. This involves an individualized approach to the tension needed on the sling. While the sling procedure is relatively easy to complete, the issue of tension on the sling is hard to determine and involves the use of tests during surgery for determining the compression effect of the sling on the urethra. Some manual tests are performed or a more sophisticated urodynamic test, like cystourethrography, may determine tension. It is important for the surgeon to test tension during surgery because of the high rate of retention of urine (inability to void) after surgery associated with this procedure and the miscalculation of the required tension.
Candidates for surgical treatment of incontinence must undergo a full clinical, neurological, and radiographic evaluation before there can be direct analysis of the condition to be treated and the desired outcome. Both urethral and bladder functions are evaluated and there is an attempt to determine the conditions associated with stress incontinence. In many women, incontinence may be due to vaginal prolapse. Stress incontinence can be identified by observation of urine during pelvic examination or by a sitting or standing stress test where patients are asked to cough or strain and evidence of leakage is obtained. Gynecologists often use a Q-tip test to determine the angle and change in the position of the urethra during straining. Other tests include subtracted cystometry to measure how much the bladder can hold, how much pressure builds up inside the bladder as it stores urine, and how full it is when the patients feels the urge to urinate.
The frequency of stress incontinence as measured by typical symptoms ranges between 33% and 65%. The frequency of stress incontinence is around 12% when measured or defined by cystometric findings. The ability to distinguish SUI as the cause of incontinence, as opposed to ISD, becomes more complicated; but it is a very important factor in the decision to have surgery. A combination of pelvic examination for urethral hypermoblity and leak point pressure as measured by coughing or other abdominal straining has been shown to be very effective in distinguishing ISD, and identifying the patient who needs surgery.
IV ketorolac and oral and intravenous pain medication are administered, as are postoperative antibiotics. A general diet is available usually on the evening of surgery. When the patient is able to walk, usually the same day, the urethral catheter is removed. The patient must perform self-catheterization to check urine volume every four hours to protect the urethral wall. If the patient is unwilling to perform catheterization, a tube can be placed suprapubically (in the back of the pubis) for voiding. Catheterization lasts about eight days, with about 98% of patients able to void at three months. Patients are discharged on the second day postoperatively, unless they have had other procedures and need additional recovery time. Patients may not lift heavy objects or engage in strenuous activity for approximately six weeks. Sexual intercourse may be resumed in the fourth week following surgery. Follow-up visits are scheduled for three to four weeks after surgery
Although the sling treatment has a very high success rate, it is also associated with a prolonged period of voiding difficulties, intraoperative bladder or urethra injury, infections associated with screw or staple points, and rejection of sling material from a donor or erosion of synthetic sling material. Patients should not be encouraged to undergo a sling procedure unless the risk of long-term voiding difficulty and the need for intermittent self-catheterization are understood. Fascial slings seem to be associated with the fewest complications for sling procedure treatment. Synthetic slings have a greater risk of having to be removed due to erosion and inflammation.
Regardless of the procedure used, a proportion of patients will remain incontinent. Results vary according to the type of sling procedure used, the type of attachment used for the sling, and the type of material used for the sling. Normal results for the sling procedure overall are recurrent stress incontinence of 3–12% after bladder sling procedures. In general, reported cure rates are lower for second and subsequent surgical procedures. A recent qualitative study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of 57 patients who underwent patient-contributed fascial sling procedures indicates good success with fascial sling procedures. At a median of 42 months after the procedure, the postoperative objective cure rate for stress urinary incontinence was 97%, with 88% of patients indicating that the sling had improved the quality of their lives. Eighty-four percent of patients indicated that the sling relieved their incontinence long term, and 82% of patients stated that they would undergo the surgery again. The study also found that voiding function was a common side effect in 41% of the patients.
The most common complications of sling procedures are voiding problems (10.4%), new detrusor instability (7–27%), and lower urinary tract damage (3%). Some of the complications depend upon tension issues as well as on the materials used for the sling. There are recent and well-designed studies of patient fascia and donor fascia used for slings in five centers with follow-up from 30 to 51 months that report no erosions or vaginal wall complications in any patients. Prolonged retention or voiding issues occurred in 2.3% of patients and de novo or spontaneous urge incontinence developed in 6%. These figures relate only to a large study utilizing patient or donor fascia and one that did not control for other factors like techniques of anchoring. In general, studies of the sling procedure are small and have many variables. There are no long term studies (over five years) of this most popular procedure.
Alternatives to anti-incontinent sling procedure surgery depend upon the severity of the incontinence and the type. Severe stress incontinence with intrinsic sphincter deficiency can benefit from bulking agents for the urethra to increase compression, as well as external devices like a pessary that is placed in the vagina and holds up the bladder to prevent leakage. Urethral inserts can be placed in the urethra until it is time to use the bathroom. The patient learns to put the insertion in and take it out as needed. There are also urine seals that are small foam pads inserted in garments. Milder forms of incontinence can benefit from an assessment of medication usage, pelvic muscle exercises, bladder retraining, weight loss, and certain devices that stimulate the muscles around the urethra to strengthen them. For mild urethral mobility, procedures for tacking or stabilizing the urethra at the neck called Needle Neck Suspension, as well as procedures to hold the urethra in place with sutures, like the Burch method, are alternative forms of surgery.
"Urologic Surgery." In Campbell's Urology, edited by M. F. Campbell, et al., 8th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 2002.
Lobel, B., A. Manunta, and A. Rodriguez. "The Management of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Using the Sling Procedure." British International Journal of Urology 88, no. 8 (November 2001): 832.
Melton, Lisa. "Targeted Treatment for Incontinence Beckons." Lancet 359, no. 9303, (January 2002): 326.
Richter, H. R. "Effects of Pubovaginal Sling Procedure on Patients with Urethral Hypermobility and Intrinsic Sphincteric Deficiency: Would They Do it Again?" American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 184, no. 2 (January 2001): 14–19.
American Foundation for Urologic Disease/The Bladder Health Council. 1128 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201. (410) 468-1800. Fax: (410) 468-1808. admin@ afud.org. http://www.afud.org .
The Simon Foundation for Continence. P.O. Box 835, Wilmette, IL 60091. (800) 23-simon or (847) 864-3913. http://www.simonfoundation.org/html/ .
National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Bladder Control in Women. Intellihealth. April 17, 2003 [cited June 25, 2003]. http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9103/24149/35872.html?d=dmtContent .
"Urinary Incontinence." MD Consult Patient Handout. [cited June 25, 2003]. http://www.MDConsult.com .
Nancy McKenzie, Ph.D.
The surgery is performed by a urological surgeon who has trained specifically for this procedure. The surgery takes place in a general hospital.
She had the procedure 1 month ago, and has been self-cathing since Day 1. By the way, she has an ingenious little home-built design to make self cath easier and very portable for night outs and anytime...
She is dissapointed to JUST LEARN, via this forum, that this healing process, if successfull, might be 2 more months longer before she can void on her own!
It does beat her laughing and sneezing peeing, and the interuptions during our being close.
She is 43...
DB
I am 2 day post op. I voided after a nights stay in hospital and was released without the cath. Other than a excruciating stinging sensation in my left groin the recovery has been ok. My right side and inside pain is minimal and the stinging pain comes and goes with certain movements.
Has anyone felt this type of pain?
Other than the nerve pain, everything seems different, no pain when I urinate. Right after surgery, I began taking 1/2 of my pain medication, about every few hours, so not to be so heavily medicated.
I had the sling procedure one year ago and I know something went wrong. I have urgency soooooooooo bad. It worked for about 9 months but I am having severe back pain as well as the urgency. I will have an ultra sound next week to see what's wrong. I hope you find some relief soon. I am praying for an answer to my problem.
Kelli Reed
I am hoping this will take care of my frequent bouts of Ecoli Bacteria in the bladder. I drink lots of liquids, so this will heal faster. I hope when I sneeze, now, it won't trickle down my leg...
I had the procedure done in outpatient day surgery in our local hospital. First of all I was taken back that I was not briefed on how much more invasive it was than what I had been anticipating. I had the procedure and left the daysurgery unit a few hours later. That night I was in excruciating pain, could not even walk into the bathroom in my house without terrible shooting pains in my leg and groin. This went on for days and I called the doctor and asked if this should be happening. They acted like I was a big baby and prescribed more painkillers. I eventually started to function but with difficulty ( constant pain in my left groin radiating down my left leg. When I went in for my recheck I complained and the doc set me up with a urogynocologist about 50 miles away. This guy did not get me in for 4 months from the date of my checkup. I spent the rest of that miserable summer just ticking off the days until I saw this guy. I had bleeding issues, I had pain and I was getting depressed thinking that I was just overreacting. I had had Csect surgery before this and recovery was very quick so I just couldn't understand why no one was taking me seriously on the pain issues. I finally went in to see the urogyno guy and he was appalled. I had part of the mesh cutting through my vaginal wall which explained the bleeding he quickly set me up to have the mesh surgically removed. I had the removal 2 months after that and he did a simple bladder tack. I still have residual groin pain, tissue wasting on my left upper thigh and groin area (obviously a nerve was compromised in the original procedure) I have ok bladder control, I can walk, run and play without worry of incontinence but if anyone asked me I would gladly pee my pants than to have gone through what I did. I was made to feel like a liar by my doctor, I worked for a law firm and I think they were way too careful about admitting any wrong doing and dragged their feet on getting me the help that I needed. I had the tvt placement in Feb and the removal was in Nov. too much time had elapsed in between and the damage was already done to the nerve. I cannot sit for long periods of time or I get pain in the left groin and down my left leg, I also have an area that has no feeling above the tie off spot from the surgery. There was little info on the procedure itself back then because it was new. I am distressed to think that they are still doing the procedure and people are going through what I did, yes there are success stories just too many that aren't.
I had the sling surgery a year ago. The recovery was great and I no longer dribble on myself. But it is like having a troll at the entrance when I have sex. The skin didn't grow through the mesh as it was supposed to do, and so the insision pulls apart during sex. Uncomfortable for both my husband and I.
They recently went in and did a second surgery, but it is worse than ever. I am trying to figure out where to go from here. Anyone eles in this same situation? What did you do to remedy the situation?
Thanks Maria
Hope the effects are long term.
The surgery was performed as a day surgery. I came out of surgery with a catheter but they removed that and I was able to urinate on my own. I have not had to have a catheter since. However, I had my post op checkup late yesterday - after EVER person at the Dr office asked me if they had removed my catheter already. It occurred to me then how fortunate I was not to have had to use a catheter post op!! Pain - first time out of bed post op (to go try to urinate) was OMG!! But unexpectaly to me in my upper thighs and hips - the nurse laughs - must be your time in the high stirrups (a visual I wish I had never had!). That go better quickly and I have taken little pain medication. I over did on Saturday (3 days post op) - guess painting was a little overambitious! Yesterday (5 days post op) - back to work - long day and sore by the end! First time driving, hauling laptop back and forth and going grocery shopping. But all in all feel pretty good! Only leaking when my bladder is full (but I know I am full)and sudden movement. I am completly emptying my bladder now! This was at 50% pre surgery.
Dr says - come back in 6 months! Bigger issue is going to be lack acoiding all the things on his list - no ab tension, no heavy lifting, no sex, no leg lifting. So elliptical but no treadmill for another 4-6 weeks. No Pilates, no ab crunches, no ball class! No lifting (what is considered heavy?) -traveling for work next week - that should be a challenge. And the strangest things - this I learned from painting and rediscovered yesterday cleaning out the refrigerator - you use your ab muscles to stand from a crouch!
Remember to take your stool softener and laxitive - constipation requires a bunch of ab muscles too!! GOOD LUCK!
i did not stay overnight even though i was in the OR longer and
had no caf put in, I am one day post op and feel very sore in the canel and its hard to sit up but other then that i am peeing fine.
Has anyone else had the mess fall out and had to go under again. how long does it take to heal a second time?
I'm using now two or three pads a day, due to incontinence caused by proton radiation and Cryo. What procedure could be recommended in my case as an alternative to the sling's?
then a month ago. I am going to have this proedure done end of August,
and would like to know if its worth it or not.
center and the other are done in the hospital with over night stay? I also
would like to know why some have catheters and some do not. I am thinking
about have this sling surgery and from reading all of these stories
I am very worry that the surgery may not be worth it. I am 48yr and
never had any type of surgery before. I also would like to know if
any one has had both types of slings and witch one is better, I have
heard good and bad about both. Thank you for your help and comments.
Good luck to all who has had problems. I will pray for you.....
So far things seem to be going as I was told they would. Good luck to those who have this planned. So far I can say I think this has bettered my life. I'll write more after my 2 week visit. I'm still wondering what the symptoms are that things are coming apart.
Hmmm, that's interesting. I had read on various different sites of the variations for recovery time and limitations. I will be having my 2 post-op appt on Friday, a few days early. Will certainly ask him why no driving. I have 4 children ranging from 11-2 and it's hard enough not to lift the 2 yo. but who's going to do the grocery shopping and I would like to take them to the park while we have a bit of nice weather!
The pain is very minimal now, just slightly tender and very little spotting at all today, am anxious for that to stop before my cycle begins or that will be bleeding for a long time!
I am curious, how much did you limit yourself as far as activity for the first 2 weeks? I have heard no limited walking and no stairs to anything is fine except heavy lifting. Personally, I have been just been laying around and walking in the yard, but my Dr said no housewrok even for 2 weeks. My body is craving movement! Have started to clean up in the kitchen today, as dh isn't quite in tune with the needs as I am ya know? Did you do housework?
Glad to hear from someone sortof in the same boat. take care and blessings in your recovery! To me, it is well worth it if I can run around with my boys again!
Did nothing first week except read and watch tv - minimal stairs as my house is three stories. Second week did a little more walking around each day. The only complaint at that time was a sore back from so much sitting around. Did not drive for two weeks and was told not vacuum. sweep or lift anyhting heavier than 5 pounds for four weeks.
Returned to a desk job the third week and started walking real slow on the treadmill - 2 miles per hour for 30 minutes and did some lower back streaches which relieved the back pain. Following week upped the speed to 2.5/3.0 mile per hour.
Procedure seems to have worked - although it does take me longer to empty my bladder. No leaks sneezing or laughing but have not started running & jumping so the big "test" is yet to come.
I read many of the responds above and had many of the same feelings. I kept asking my GYN nurse & Urology Nurse...What am I supposed to be feeling...pain wise? They have yet to explain it to me as to what my pain level should be at this point.
I feel I have done great up to this point, but not with out my pain medications.
The stinging in Left and esp. Rt. side has always been with me. It is better, but still have sharp stinging sensations at times. Getting my feet to move getting in & out of bed was the worst! My husband was the best!!!
The incision at my legs just made it hard to sit. Still peeling off this glue stuff they used on me. I also have had a time with my belly button incision hurting esp. when walking. I hold myself with a small pillow. Oh well, this too I feel will pass!
Sitting is a problem & standing for a long time...have to rest often. Will rest for an Hr...then get up & move around. Keeps me from being so stiff.
Good luck to everyone else!
E-Mail me anytime! Robbielcw@gmail.com.
Ok... my questions to those who are more educated than me.
1. I have not had sex yet and I know I am not suppose to but for those who do have pain during sex after this operation, what causes the pain?
2. I have also never had any leg pain. What causes the leg pain people experience after this operation.
3. Ok... this is my main question... my doctor said the worse thing I can do is over lift something, but he never said a particular weight amount. I don't want to undo what he just did? He made it sound like I could never lift anything of significant weight because I could break the stitches that is holding up the sling.
Any help from anyone would be appreciated.
Robin, the doctor always told me not to leave over 10 lbs. As far as the leg pain, I think that most have it because of the lithotomy position that we are in for an extended period of time during surgery.
Sue, Sorry to hear that your surgery did not completely work. I had the 'easy' sling (TVT)in May this year and did not work either (actually, made things worse). That's why I had the more "complicated" pubovaginal sling in November. The new surgeon used my own fascia (muscle) because the mesh did not work.
doc made it seem like i was weird and rare that i couldn't void after surg...i actually had a friend tell me she went back to work in just a few days...
I WOULD ADVISE ASKING YOUR DOCTOR LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND ASK EXACTLY WHICH PROCEDURE YOU ARE HAVING.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SLING SURGERIES WHICH REALLY MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU ARE RESEARCHING THE PROCEDURE. GOOD LOOK! WILL POST MORE INFO AS I PROGRESS.
I have not been intimate yet so don't know if there will be problems with that.
I just had this surgery. It's much better than it was before but not to where I was hoping it would be 100%. How about you?
I am supposed to have this done by a Duke University doctor here in the Raleigh, NC area next month. Has anyone had any experience with them? I had my baby there and am seeing a Urogynecologist from there too. I am having the Urethra Sling procedure, using the synthetic mesh. It is supposed to be outpatient too. She has told me that there is good success with this. I am only 38 and am ready for this to work!
Any thoughts?
I too just had the surgery on 4/21, experiencing some pain in left groin area, also suture around rectum as you stated. No leakage thus far, but I notice brusing in the upper inner thigh area, that does not seem to be going away. I take sitz baths and regular baths but no sure what this is.
I also had an infection. Overall, everything is going well. I also had an additional procedure done at the same time for an enlarged vagina. Doctor stated everything is healing fine, but the bruising is scary. Did anyone experience brusing in the upper inner thighs.
Thaks
I am 13 days past the surgery. I had a bladder sling, hysterectomy, and rebuilt rectum. I have not yet been able to void on my own, not even drops. I am self-catheterizing and it is quite miserable. At times I feel hopeless that this might be permanent. I am drinking very little to limit the number of times a day I have to cath, so I am always thirsty.
I will see my doctor again in one week. He says that If I cannot void by myself at all by that appointment, he will schedule an outpatient surgery to cut the suburethral sling loose.
I am desperate for my life back--feel like I'm slowly dying here, unable to interact with people, can't leave my home for more than a few minutes because of all the sanitary issues with cath'ing outside of a clean bathroom.
Please tell me there is hope! Will cutting the sling really restore voiding function?
I am relieved to have voiding function restored. I would prefer a little occasional wetting to having to self-cath for the rest of my life.
@Denise: I am sorry I have nothing to say to address your specific situation, but I hope it improves dramatically for you and that you get the answers you need at your next appointment.
Denise: The sling is not always an immediate affect. You have to see how you heal & scar around the sling. The substance could also just be discharge from the surgery. That goes on for a while. I'm 5 weeks post-op & still discharge every so often.
Anyone having the surgery, make sure it's done by a urogyno, not just a plain uro or plain gyno. My urologist actually referred me to the urogyno stating that they have more experience in this kind of surgery.
I'm now a 15 days past the surgical revision of the sub-urethral sling. (Additionally I also had hysterectomy, vaginal wall and rectal wall rebuilding, and trans-sacrum support done on the first surgery 5 weeks ago.)
The revision of the sub-urethral sling seems to have worked quite well. I can urinate on my own without a problem, and I seem to have enough support of the bladder and urethra to control incontinence. I haven't yet tried running, but I can sneeze and laugh without an accident, and I am building up to try the exercise.
Walking is coming along. I put in three hilly miles tonight and was noticeably sore across the lower abdomen, but not in pain. I won't push it.
My recovery was quite an ordeal. I can't yet throw up my hands in rejoicing that I did this. I wish I had been better prepared ahead of time for how difficult it could be if the revision was going to be necessary. I like to know these things ahead of time. But I think I can see the possibility in the future that I will be able to say one day that the surgery was a good choice for me.
Best wishes everyone!
I had the tvt and vaginal wall reconstructive surgery in January 2010. I had problems retaining urine and it took about three months for everything to work out. Doctor gave me the option of releasing the sling, but I decided to give it time, which paid off. I also had urgency problems and was up every two hours at night to go to the bathroom. Over time, this also worked itself out. I now sleep all night or get up once at the most. I go to the bathroom about every 4 hours during the day. I don't know exactly what your situation is, but I can say that it does take time for the body to heal and everything to get back in working order. I was released from my doctor in July which was six months after the surgery. Hope things go good for you.
Thank you! This is what I was hoping to hear since the urgency issue isn't as bad as it was a month ago. I go back to the dr. this week and I know he'll give me the option again to remove the sling, but if there is still the possibility of healing without removing it, I will wait and hope for the best. Getting up only once at night sounds wonderful! Thanks again for your help!
I had the bladder sling surgery done by my GYN 5 days ago. It was done as an outpatient procedure. I had to go home with a catheter and then go back to the doctor's office the next day to have it removed. I was able to void after it was removed but not completely. They measured what was left by doing an ultrasound. I was under the limited amount so I got to go on home.
I haven't really had much pain in the surgery area but I have really bad hip and back pain when standing for a while.
I am also still having some blood here on day 5. Does anyone know if the bleeding usually continues or stops and comes back? It is not bright red, kind of dark and like it is watered down.
Thanks for any info,
Theresa
Dear All, I have been meaning to get back here thinking that I had lost this site but was clearing out my favorites and found it posted. I am so Thankful to God for having this surgery. After my follow-up with my Gyno and Urologist it was discovered that what I thought was urine.(I was so sure)was actually vaginal fluids from the Endometrial ablation. So here I am 3 months post-op with the sling surgery, and not one drop has been lost to coughing or sneezing. I have actually been nauseated twice and thrown up (I love spicy food) and if anyone knows how it is to Throw-up with incontinence, rest assured that with this surgery I haven't had any problems. My best advice is to keep calm and know that it is true that TIME does make the difference. Thanks for letting me vent in here. Denise
Does the procedure works right away or how long do I have to wait to see the benefit?
I had the procedure done five weeks ago, I am still having small leaking while sneezing.
Thank you,
Ps, the article is very informative.
I would like to talk with others who have had this done. I am now n my 4 month of recovery and I have questions!
The new Dr. found that at the end of my vagina where my cervics would be (I had a complete Hysterectomy)a good part of the sling comming through. She asked my husbad did he every feel anything during sex he said yes. She also found a part near the G-spot where the sling was rubbing through. Soshe has sceduled a test for me that includes them filling my rectum, vagina and bladder with a contrast material at the same time and hole my vagina and bladder closed as I try to push like I'm taking a bowel movement. Depending on this test it will tell her if the sling has penetrated my bladder and my bowels too. if so I'll have to have the different parts repaired. And she will have to put ing a different sling in one that disenergrates over a period of time. if this sling penetrated my bowels a pert about 4-6 inces will have to be removed.
Today I kept noticing a pricking feeling down toward the front of my vigina. So I felt aroung and found that the sking that hangs down sort of like a door to you vagina is now being perferated by the sling now too. It hurts to stand, sit and walk. I'm suppose to see the Dr. This Thur. to have that test done and go over the results with my Dr. along with my new findings she would have gotten me in earlier but she is in surgey all day on Wed.. I'm not lifting, pulling, having sex or anything else you wouldn't be alowed to do after surgery to just make sure I don't make it any worse. I'm practicaly staying in bed. My Dr. said this wasn't necessary a Dr's. error it was what the actually sling was made of that was the problem. Certain sling made of certain material, the FDA has put out a message for them to be no longer made by the manufactures. So It's more their faults. She won't know what material it's made of until she gets it out. The chances of this happening to someone is slim but I wanted to put it out there because Dr. aren't up and front about this possibly happening. Hopefully nobody else has to go through this. I just cried and sob when she told me that basically mast all of my pevic organs may need to be completly repaired. I hope it doesn' mess up any part of me that causes me problems later or that can't be permantly fixed. But the part that I'm most embarressed to say I hope is repairible to complete working conditon is my vagina. I've been married 18 years and sex was just becoming enjoyable again. We have our dry spells, some last more than others, this one was one of those that lasted longer than others, part of that was because I have been dealing with other health problems for somewhere between 1-2 years. I was just starting to feel better than I got hit with this new and the only thing I could do was cry and sob in the room where and while tha Dr. was still checking me. I was pissed and sad, overwelmed and so many othe emotion were coming through. I was like welcome back to the insanity of my health crises. Lot's of Dr's., test, needles, different meds. to go into my own personal perscrition cabinet and waiting for this and that. This totaly sucks,but it could be worse they could have told me I had cancer. So there is a bright side to this. Best of luck to the who have a sling,those that are having one put in and those considering it. God Bless!
I practice the kegals and I exercise a little differently.I will have to check my progress more closely to ascertain the efficacy of the procedure.
I feel alot of tugging on the left groin side still and its been a month. I was told since my bladder is now in a new position it now has to adjust and all the nerve endings and tissues have to heal which takes 6 to 12 months to fully heal.
My only problem is the urologist surgeon told my daughter and husband that he called my OBGYN during the surgery and questioned if I didn't need a hysterectomy; my OB told me before the bladder sugery that I did not. Now I wonder if it will not go back to the same problems soon. I go back to the surgeon next week and am very curious to find out what that is about.
So far so good. If it worked I will be happy. I had to be off work 2 weeks which even though I am paid in full, I hated to do.
What I have had to put up with after having my sling surgery I would not wish upon my worst enemy.
So what, if you have to use pads to soak up any leaks? It is better to do that than take the risk that things will not turn out the way you hoped.
I even get chills if I wait to long, and I've wet myself many times just pulling my pants down.
What can I do?
One doctor I've seen when I was on vacation and in severe pain, said it's probably a nicked bowel and the ecoli is leaking into my bladder or vagina somehow. The NP I saw yesterday said it's obvious that bacteria is 'wicking' into my bladder somehow and she supposes it's through the sling material used.
???
I see the surgeon today.
So far so good. I had it done about 3 weeks ago, and I had no complications.
My doctor recommended I avoid carrying anything heavier that a gallon of milk, drink enough water to flush my bladder (not in excess, though) and to drink prune juice to avoid constipation.
The procedure was just fine, I just have a complain: sometimes I have pain when i lift my right leg. Almost like I pulled a muscle, a nerve, or as if I have a strong cramp.
Even driving causes the pain, since I need to keep moving my right leg. I hope it will stop soon.
I no longer pee when I laugh, cough, or sneeze. :)
I just had the pubo vaginal sling procedure today. This is the third operation I've had since I turned 24 when I started having problems. The first operation they did was suturing the bladder up and it lasted two years before the problem occured again. The second was the sling made with fasia whereas they cut me inside and out to put it in. This was during the last tsars epidemic. I was hospitalized for four days and sent home to catherize myself for a week until I voided normally. I gained a lot of weight in the past few years and I think that's why it stopped working. I'm now back to a healthy weight and held it off for 2 years. Todays operation was done as day surgery. After the operation, my doctor came to the recovery room and said it was very succcessful. I am not bleeding at all and he didn't have to pack me, but I am home with a cathedar. I'm to go back tomorrow to see if it can be removed. The only problem I'm having is "the charlie horse" type pain and its very painful. He's given me tylenol 3 (20 pills) to take 1 or 2 every four hours and Cephalexin - Antibiotics (take four times daily). I've been given strick instructions to have bed rest and no housework, driving or sitting up for long periods. Hence, I can't go to the office for two weeks. Then, the obvious, no sex for six weeks. I'm not sure what will happen in the next few weeks,ie. will I start bleeding, how long the pain will last and most importantly will this work without complications. I am however, putting a positive spin on this since I really don't want to have to go through this again. I'm now forty and I never had children and wasn't obese when I was first diagnosed. It's humiliating to pee everytime you cough, sneeze, laugh to hard, orgasm and smell from wearing depends pads. I've also kept a change of clothing in my office along with wet ones to clean myself. I'm just praying for feeling normal again. I will follow up on the recovery for others.
Lisa
- No bath until at least Tuesday
- Can shower, but must dry area of stiches completely
- no bending, lifting, walking up and down stairs too often, stay in bed for at least two weeks. The concern is I may start to bleed and damage the surgery.
I can't even lift up my cats. The doctor was very strict about this. No driving also for two weeks.
The pain in the groin is still strong but will most likely calm down in the few days and he said to be prepared to keep walking as slow as I am for at least a week. The onus was on bed rest.
Take care
Lisa
Take care...
Lisa
Need to cath myself after i am very scared of the thought
please email me kim.flood@hotmail.com
If anyone else has had these symptons please let me know ans also how long did you have to self catheterise for.
If anyone else has had these symptons please let me know ans also how long did you have to self catheterise for.
I had this surgery in March and my doctor told me no bending, squatting, yoga, pilates, or anything like that for a year. Sitting on the floor is like a yoga pose. It is really upsetting to hear all these stories. I am still not feeling right after this surgery and really wish I had researched it more.
I feel the same way. I needed the hysterectomy before I bled to death, and just thought of the bladder surgery as a bonus. My Dr told me my limitations were no bending what so ever for the first 2 weeks, and I followed orders. No sex for 6 weeks, and I followed orders. After my 6 week check up she told me my only limitations where not to lift anything over 40lbs. for the rest of my life, and I have followed those orders. I am on Spring Break this week, so I will have time to call my Dr. and talk to her. My groin area is so sore right now. My daughter had softball pictures made last week and the photographer posed her on the ground with her bat and glove and then wanted to add the family. I can get down on my knees without to much pain, but I sort of sat to the side and my big toe on my left foot went into a spasm and I thought I would not be able to move or get up. Basically I ruined the picture, or my condition did. I never really thought about sitting down before, and now I have to. All of these stories are heart wrenching, and I do PRAY that all will find some relief and sense of normalcy.
I saw my Dr. today and she said my problem with sitting on the floor and squatting is from the tension on the tape that is supporting my urethra. She said it is like tendonitis, and has me on a steroid. I should know soon if the steroid works.
I am still having leaking and i feel like something is falling out of me. I am a little worried after reading comments,wished i would have found this before i had it done. It is weekend so i will have to wait tell monday to call doctor.
What does a woman do to find a doctor that will undo this surgery and just do a simple bladder tack up? This is unreal that you cannot get a doctor to relieve a woman from pain. I cannot have a relationship and haven't for 2 years.
If anyone knows what a woman can do to find a doctor that will undo this surgery please answer. Why are doctors not willing to do anything fast to get someone out of pain? I don't understand.
Are they still allowing doctors to do this surgery knowing so many women have had problems that have effected their lives so painfully? If so WHY?
Don't do this surgery!
very little pain after, but took it easy almost this whole week. I do have minor pain in the crease of my pubic bone, but its more of a dull ache. I am very pleased so far. I have sneezed a few big ones, and no leakage. Before the surgery if I sneezed I would literally pee in my pants so much.
The true test will be when I run. There is a six week recovery period for this type of activity. I will wait it out because I don't want to undo what I just had done.
Good luck to all
said that unfortunately unless I was a master at yoga, my leg muscles would suffer from the positions that they had to be in during this surgery. The bleeding and the inability to empty my bladder were caused by swollen tissues. I went back to the surgeon the next day and was able to empty my bladder without the catheter and the bleeding had slowed down. The pain in the groin muscles was still excruciating, but over the next few days it lessened. I was told that there would be continued spotting for the next few days but today 4 days after surgery it seems to be more and a brighter red. I will give it a few more days and hopefully that will end. It is a different sensation when I urinate, I don't feel like I have the control. I get a tingling sensation and then my bladder kind of empties on it's own. I have to retrain myself not to go the bathroom as often. I was always trying to keep it empty so I wouldn't have accidents. Now I tell myself to wait until I really feel like I have to go. I am excited about the final outcome. It is too early to test as I am not allowed to do any exercise yet but my surgeon assured me that the results, barring complications were immediate. I am so looking forward to sneezing, laughing, running, lifting, and jumping jacks!!! I will post again in a few weeks and let everyone know how it turns out. As of right now I would definitely do it again. Godd luck to the rest of you, and here's to a wonderful active life.
worldpharmarx.com
Here is my recovery experience:
Day of surgery: 1 week prior-no symptoms or flare ups, sent home with a cath and gauze packing in the vagina
Day 2: sore legs and arms from surgery position? Cath and packing out at dr's office. bloody urine which is normal from being cathed, minimal bleeding on pad
Day 3: sore left leg (I think from the way I got out of bed the previous days. I think I started my period
Day 4: sore left leg still, hoping the blood is from my period
Day 5: less leg pain, can feel the stitches in my vagina
Day 6 (today): spotting, think period is ending, can feel my stitches, bored out of my mind, read way too many "slings gone wrong" stories on the web.
So far, I pee fine, I feel good except for the restricted movement
I wish you all well and pray for healing for all.
I had TVT surgery along with vaginal hysterectomy and anterior and posterior repair in November 2010. I was told that there was a risk of bladder perforation and unfortunately this happened to me. However, I was not told about the long terms risks eg. erosion of sling months or years after surgery, nor was I told that "voiding" issues (ie not emptying your bladder properly)could be permanent. I have had to self-catheterise 2-3 times daily since coming out of hospital as there is always about 200-400mls left in my bladder after I have urinated normally.
I have also had recurrent urinary tract infections since having the operation and I am now on long term low dose antibiotic therapy.
I am scheduled to have the tape divided in September but have been told that stress incontinence may return after this operation or be worse than before. Before my original operation, this was hardly an issue at all, just something I mentioned when I went for my initial appointment about pelvic floor repiar.
I really trusted my surgeon and did not do any homework on this "minimally invasive" procedure. I was more worried about the hysterectomy and also wanted to avoid having more time off in future so opted to have the TVT at the same time rather than wait to see how bad my then minor stress incontinence would get after the repairs. (I was told it would get a lot worse once they pushed the bladder back into position as the prolapse was creating an 'articial kink' in the urethra.)
I really wish I had waited and done my homework! Now I am facing further surgery with an uncertain outcome. Also, I am really worried about erosion months/years down the line. The doctor seems reluctant to remove all of the mesh. I did not know that this stuff was permanent and difficult to remove once it had been in the body for more than a few weeks.
If you are considering this surgery, you would gain more knowledge of the problems people have had by googling "TVT mesh complications". These aren't isolated cases. The US FDA have issued a press release in July 2011 saying that these complications are not as rare as previously thought. I am not part of a study here in the UK, so my statistics are not included in any study. Also, studies have focused on the TVT effectiveness (its "success") rates rather than its safety. Even if complications are rare, they can be serious and affect a woman's quality of life.
If your stress incontinence is mild, please think very carefully before having this operation.
Thank You.
Around the 3rd week I felt fine with soreness on my left groin area. The soreness have been stronger on the left side from the begining. I examined myself. I could feel what I thought was a long stitch in the left side of my vagina. It took me a few days to realize IT WAS the mesh sling not a stitch.
So I went to the doc on August 16th with a full blown heavy period. The NP thought I just popped the stitch but kept looking when I expressed my doubt. The doc checked it out and confirmed. I had to go back to the hospital the next day to have it "revised" which just means he stitched it back up. The doc told my husband that he thought my stitches just disolved early.
Honestly, I know I lifted too much and went back to work too soon.
The doc used non-disolvable stitches in this time and he will have to take them out for me.
I have been much more careful this time. I am limiting my workload. Thank God my employer is cutting me some slack.
No I do not blame my doc. I know I lifted too much (but nothing over 15 lbs.) I was told not to lift over 5lbs.
I notice that I have minute chronic leakage. When I move around, I feel like I leak and find a tiny dab of wet in my panties. However, I was shaved so I don't have pubic hair to buffer any leakage. I also have no issues with lubrication. AND I have ongoing over active bladder issues.
I have soreness wherever the sling is tacted down at. I restrict my movement involuntarily.
Not that this really matters but the doc and nurse were sooo kind and responsive to my concerns.
I would check myself. You are not going to hurt yourself. There was an obvious different between the feeling of the stitch and the sling when I examined myself. I just did not realize it.
It is very difficult with a 3 year old and working. My kids are older. Opening and closing my car door is a chore.
Wish you well!
Life has not been the same since I had this 'simple' procedure. If you are considering TVT-O surgery PLEASE do your research first!
my surgery was successful, no problems as yet, and I have no regrets. However, I recently had
the need to apply for private medical insurance (BCBS), and they excluded any complications that
may arise from the TVT, EVER!!! Still have no regrets, no more stress incontinence!!! I feel as
a medical professional who has taken care of many patients who have had the same procedure, that the failure rate may well be directly related to the amount of expertise/ experience the doctor
has. Choose your physician carefully. Incidentally, I was 55 years old at the time of the
surgery, had 3 vaginal deliveries, TAH,BSO 8 years prior, and not overweight, physically very active. Best wishes to all, especially those experiencing problems.
I am still sore and moving slow , still spotting. But able to urinate and no leakage. I have glue instead of stitches in the two very small incisions . I never had to self cath .
My dr. has been doing these for 15 years, wrote in medical journels about them. My sister had it done 2 months before me by my dr, (her dr sent her to him).
I am a very active woman , but my dr. says NO sex, lifting, pulling ,exercise , swimming, baths for 6 weeks. I have to take a stool softner for a month.
So far so good for me, I wish you all good luck
(post-op 3 weeks today)
Thanks for your input!!
i started having pain in my right side. please anyone let me know
Thanks for all of those who posted, I wish you all well.
I had the tvt procedure in the uk two weeks ago, inner thighs ached like mad when came round and for a couple of days after. Seamt to start my period quite soon after. Pre-op I only ever bled for three days, last time was for at least 10 days. I have had lower abdomen pain ever since the op, put this down to period pain, but the pain seems to be lingering on. How do I know if I have an infection? I dont have a follow up appointment until mid November and dnt really want to bother my doc with this. I also seem to have a watery discharge that is blood stained too. Can anyone help with my symptoms. All in all though the procedure does seem to have worked, I dont now have to wear pads for the original problem lol.
I haven't had sex, so I don't know if this would have changed the equation.
However since the surgery I am experiencing frequent BV infections, monthly I can count on it. I don't know what it is wrong. Years ago, I found out I couldn't wear nylon underwear and can only wear cotton underwear and am wondering if the infections are related to the sling. I'm so happy to not be leaking but the frequent infections are driving me crazy.
Has anyone experienced this.
SHAME ON YOU!!!
I have had to used intials due to harrassment from these individuals but hope that this helps even just one of you to avoid making the same mistake my mother did!
I am 45, and had the Sling proceedure done between 2005 and 2006. I was doing very well, however I just started leaking again, when I cough, exercise, laugh, sneeze, same things as before. However, I do not have other symtoms mentioned, I am concerned of what happens now, because I had insurance when I had this proceedure, but have no insurance. Any ideas or suggestions?? And has anyone else had this happen??
I was convinced I was leaking for 2 weeks after getting home. Tried to test myself(Stood over toilet and coughed & leaked) then decide I shouldn't be testing it too early! I have read so many things re this op & basically I feel that so many people go into surgery without doing their homework. There are definitely risks with this surgery (as with any surgery)and you have to weigh up how much you hate leaking as to whether it's worth taking the risk, but remember that it CAN happen to anyone so I think you have to be realistic when considering options.
The main help I can be is with a few quotes: "it takes 102 days for anasthetic to leave the body" (told by a doc. when I said I'm still so tired!) "if the tape needs to be loosened or made tighter it should be altered within 7 days, ideally, or no more than 14 days" (a Gyni. Theatre Nurse ... basically, if it's already been 14 days give yourself time to heal as there's nothing you can do immediately), "Don't push yourself; rest as much as possible" (loads of women who have had this op!!), "The pain should subside but it could take up to 12 weeks to feel right" (a Nurse), "Trust your instincts" (Me, after feeling really sore and that there was something not right with my 'undercarriage' and going back to the Ward .. I had one permanent stitch which needed removing and I felt so much better afterwards). Hope this helps. Please let me know if I should be worried about lower back pain - good luck to all :-)
I am have and have had the same leg issues and other affects to my right side. I have not had any answers from anyone. I now think the issues with my hip have been caused from the operation and has worsened my hip, causing over compensation of my knee and ankle over the last year. I am seeing a Chiropractor right now to help, because as you mentioned tylenol/midol, none of those help. Have you found out anything new?
I went back to OB-GYN who put it in, said he could take it out... but... I would leak urine worse than I did before. I also went to Uro-gyn, said I needed vag* (it won't let me display the whole word) "shock" therapy (went twice for that, no help)... Inter-stim, the electrodes that get placed in the small of your back (very painfull!)and no help. I was 39yrs. when this started, WHEN will it end?
If I could offer two suggestions they would be; exercise and be fit pre-surgery to help with recovery and do your research about the doctor performing the procedure. For the second suggestion, talk to as many women as possible in the area you live. If you have medical connections, ask about the doctors success rate. With luck, ratedoctors.com will have the doctors in your area listed - this usually gives a good indication of who to deal with and more importantly, who to avoid.
It is awful that sometimes, even though you have done everything right, the surgery fails and my heart goes out to all of the women who are still struggling post-surgery. That being said, I would recommend the surgery by a qualified specialist with a good track record.
the DR will not admitt the infections has come from the bladder sling.the DR has agreed the infection are interstitial cystitis.also required me to be on an interstitial cystitis diet with six different medications.this operation has turned my life up side down.Please if this has happen to any one .email me.deanna.pearman@logic.bm
ONE WEEK AGO.THE CATH..FRIST CAME OUT 3 DAYS LATER, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM
SO MY DR. PUT THE CATH..BACK IN AND I WORE IT OVER THE WEKEND TIL TUESDAY. SHE REMOVED REMOVED
AND I STILL COULD NOT GO. SO NOW I AM SELF-CATH, YOU WERE SAYING THAT YOUR WIFE HAS MADE HERSELF
A HOMEMADE SELF-CATH..DESIGN TO MAKE IT EASIER, WOULD YOU PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ME, I AM HAVING A VERY HARD TIME WITH THIS SELF-CATH...
THANK YOU
i had this op 6 weeks ago and have had no problems was operated on the tuesday and was home on the friday no pain or discomfort at all i was delighted prior to the operation i was on the web and was terrified with some of the horror stories but for me it has changed my life i am back running and am dry hope this is of help to anyone thinking of have the procedure i had my operation in dublin ireland
any advice welcome.
any advice welcome.
Suzie
(a very satisfied customer!!)
My question is how long will I be out of work? Maybe I don't understand catherization, but I teach and can't imagine this. People have said they had a cat. for months. Also I am very concerned about urgency and leakage. I don't want my problem to be worse. My other question is did anyone else have the surgery because they were experience pelvic pain and urgency?
The operation was performed and later I had a small secondary procedure--I think to check on the sling.
I am now wearing a pad all the time, having discharge and can urinate anytime without any notice. When I roll over to get out of bed in the morning the urine just comes out of me and all over the bedding. I am having constant bladder infections, discharge, and recently lower back pain. Last week my family doctor referred me back to the doctor who did my surgery.
I called the urologist's office this morning and told his receptionist about how things were going and that I am just barely able to function at my job. I am getting very sore from wearing a pad and I need some help and cannot wait for months to get it. She said the doctor was in surgery all day today. She took my phone #, and told me she would try and fit me in to see the doctor within a couple of days. I discourage anyone from having a bladder operation as it has made things worse for me. Hoping for some help soon!
now, i noticed my bladder has dropped. going to a new doctor this week. very upset had no problems with surgery. my doctor said he told me the mesh could be eaten up by my body. never told me this would happen.
More can be seen at OShot.info
Hope this helps.
Charles Runels, MD
hello, I would like to know how these completely, happy and cured, woman are doing today since they had the sling procedure? the sling was placed in me 2010, my life has been ruined Bby the sling procedure. and i know i am not the only one. google mesh erosion, mesh complications, its not a sling, its mesh. my advice.do not have any type of sling procedure done. it will ruin your life get the word out. there is no new sling. it is all mesh none of it is good.
Let me say, this was the worst decision EVER. I was sent home with a cath because I couldn't void. Two days later it was removed because I could void. Less than 24 hours after that I was in the ER (on valentines day) because I couldn't void again. The drew out almost 900cc of urine. I did this TWICE (voiding trial then back to the ER). Finally I started self cathing 4-7 times a day. Four weeks post op I had a Uriodynamics test to figure out what was going on. With no answers or options left we decided it was best to cut the sling. In the meantime I got a UTI and yeast infection...this all due to the self cathing and four weeks of Macrobid antibiotics, which btw wasn't working so we switched to Cipro two days before the second surgery. Today is March 29, 2015 and I am 11 days post op the second surgery. I am experiencing all the symptoms of a UTI, again. My doc thinks I may not be emptying completely, so I am self cathing. Again. The residual is not much. My main complaint is the horrendous back pain. It literally feels like back labor.
If I could warn everyone and discourage many people from doing this surgery, I feel like my suffering is worth it. Otherwise this is the worst thing I have done in my life.. Please take time and research...or invest in "pee pee pads". At this point I'd rather pee myself and move on.
last September. I now have lower back problems and when I walk for more than 3 minutes I get very tired and my legs feel weak. I am not sure if this is connected to my surgery or not. Has anyone else had this problem?
It can be also solved by using orthofeet Avery Island – Black shoes which reduces your pains and make you feel more comfortable. That’s why people are mostly orthofeet shoes it is not only providing shoes but also reducing the pain caused in legs to the people