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I just turned 49 and just within the past few months have started having incontinence problems while coughing, sneezing, etc. I went to the dr. today and he checked & said a I have a pretty big problem with it. So I'm having the "sling" type surgery done next month where mesh is inserted to "hold things up". Have any of you had it? I first heard about it a couple of weeks ago on the tv show "The Doctors", so it was pretty weird that the dr. I went to today recommended it! It is supposedly pretty noninvasive as they only make a small incision inside then one tiny one at the top of each leg. It's outpatient followed by a couple of days off work. I'd love to hear about other womens' experience with this surgery.....how was the recovery, did it work, etc. Thanks in advance for sharing as this isn't the most pleasant topic to talk about!
I've heard of it. And I have a neighbor considering it. But would you consider a non-surgical approach first? There are other options. This may not help you in the end, but personally I prefer trying anything with surgery being the last.
Also, did you get a second opinion? If the doctor you went to is also the one to be performing the surgery, I would question whether this is really necessary at this point. And I would also be concerned that other options were not suggested and tried first. It's not too late to cancel surgery if you wish to consider other options. Please read below and click on links:
"Treatment options for urinary incontinence fall into four broad categories — behavioral techniques, medications, devices and surgery. In most cases, your doctor will suggest the least invasive treatments first, so you'll try behavioral techniques first and move on to other options only if these techniques fail."
"There are several possible treatments for urinary incontinence. The best treatment depends on the cause of your incontinence and your personal preferences."
I've heard of it. And I have a neighbor considering it. But would you consider a non-surgical approach first? There are other options. This may not help you in the end, but personally I prefer trying anything with surgery being the last.
Also, did you get a second opinion? If the doctor you went to is also the one to be performing the surgery, I would question whether this is really necessary at this point. And I would also be concerned that other options were not suggested and tried first. It's not too late to cancel surgery if you wish to consider other options. Please read below and click on links:
"Treatment options for urinary incontinence fall into four broad categories — behavioral techniques, medications, devices and surgery. In most cases, your doctor will suggest the least invasive treatments first, so you'll try behavioral techniques first and move on to other options only if these techniques fail."
"There are several possible treatments for urinary incontinence. The best treatment depends on the cause of your incontinence and your personal preferences."
Beth,
Thanks for the links. I've read them before and after seeing a couple of doctors and trying other things we've come to the conclusion that the surgery is my best option due to my particular anatomical problem. Meds have not helped and I've done Kegel exercises for years (I had a hysterectomy when I was 27....22 years ago...and have done them since then. Other suggestions on the sites don't apply to my "disorder", if you will! Believe me, I'd avoid surgery if I could, I've had my share! But this seems to be my best option, and thank goodness it's not very invasive. Thanks again for your suggestions and concern!
My Mom, age 78, just had this surgery along with a full hysterectomy. She had no incisions at all. I would do a little research on the Dr who does your surgery, I would go to a Uro-Gynecologist who specializes in this sort of thing as many women who get this surgery end up making things worse instead of better.
I had the "sling" surgery done today and it went really well! The procedure only took about 20 minutes and once I was fully awake, able to drink & pee, I was able to leave the surgery center. Surgery at 11:00, outttttta there by 12:30! Other than my upper thighs aching some (not sure if due to the small incisions or the position my legs were in!) I felt great. Going potty didn't hurt at all. I had this done in a town about a 3 hour drive away. DH thought I'd be ready to head home & sleep in the car. I wanted to SHOP! So we went shopping! It actually felt better after I'd walked around for awhile. I was never tired at all. I took 2 total pain pills, one after I woke up and the other about 6 hours later. I was due for another about 2 hours ago but don't feel the need for one yet. I've been sitting at the computer for quite awhile & when I got up awhile ago I was a bit stiff & sore, so I just may take one more before bed just to make sure I sleep well. For any of you considering this surgery, it was a breeze. If I wasn't on spring break this week I would definitely be ready to go back to work tomorrow!
I had the "sling" surgery done today and it went really well! The procedure only took about 20 minutes and once I was fully awake, able to drink & pee, I was able to leave the surgery center. Surgery at 11:00, outttttta there by 12:30! Other than my upper thighs aching some (not sure if due to the small incisions or the position my legs were in!) I felt great. Going potty didn't hurt at all. I had this done in a town about a 3 hour drive away. DH thought I'd be ready to head home & sleep in the car. I wanted to SHOP! So we went shopping! It actually felt better after I'd walked around for awhile. I was never tired at all. I took 2 total pain pills, one after I woke up and the other about 6 hours later. I was due for another about 2 hours ago but don't feel the need for one yet. I've been sitting at the computer for quite awhile & when I got up awhile ago I was a bit stiff & sore, so I just may take one more before bed just to make sure I sleep well. For any of you considering this surgery, it was a breeze. If I wasn't on spring break this week I would definitely be ready to go back to work tomorrow!
Probably due to the incisions. It was the best thing I ever did - no regrets!! It has been a treat jogging without my Depends!
I was doing research for problems with the Mini-arc implant sling procedure and came across this site. Man, I am so lucky most of the things you all are complaining about; I haven't had. I do have many questions. I had this surgery Nov. 19 '2010 with minor problems to my surprise. I live in Germany but am an American) living over sea. When having surgery over here they keep you in the hospital for 1 week after the surgery to make sure there were no complications afterwards.
I had it done on Tuesday and had the catheter in for 2 1/2 days after. I major pain while in the hospital for 3 days straight, due to the catheter being in so long. Once they took it out on Thurs. I was in minor pain but was able to go to the bathroom right after removal of the catheter. After coming home, I spent the next three days in minor pain and discomfort do to swelling. After 2 weeks, things began to settle down in the pain department. The leaking had been fixed on all accounts (coughing, sneezing, laughing –no leaks). On the third week, I came down with a major cold so I spent the next 2 weeks coughing, sneezing my brains out. This was a great test for the implant I had done and I had 2/10 days that I leaked. It has been almost four months now and I am still dry. (Yippy)! I am able to still go the bathroom, but when the bladder is full after a night’s sleep. I wake fast to run for the bathroom with some leaks there, but over all I am dry the rest of the day.
I am able to walk, run, and jump with no leaks. I will be making appointment here soon to ask the doctor why this there is pain during and after intercourse. I will post again and let you know what they tell me. If you would like to contact me about this implant. Email me at (etsmith341@yahoo.com) any time I will be more than happy to talk about this surgery. Best of luck to us all.
Yours Truly,
I'm in my early 30s and had this issue for several years. It took everything in me not to quit my jobs. I tried everything from dieting, meds, supplements, gyno, lots of urinary tests, blood tests, urology test with urologist. I always felt like no one was trying to help because they couldn't find anything wrong with me. After thousands of dollars, I finally went to a chiropractor and after several weekly visits for months- no more problems. The spine is the root to our life which is connected to each organ in our body. And they can really help. -just repeating what my chiropractor told me. hope this helps and best luck to you all.
3 of the gals in our bridge group have had it done in the past couple of years. All three have been playing bridge again is a few days so and have had no problems. In every case, they are sorry they didn't have it done sooner.
Just 2 cents, well more like about $20 for a 1-month supply, that may be worth a try. I know two older women, one was in mid-40's and one in 60's that both happened to start using progesterone cream (one for bone density - which improved also) -- and they both solved their incontinence issues. One (the younger) was about to have surgery too. It's otherwise pretty harmless, so maybe worth a try.
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Believe me, I'd avoid surgery if I could, I've had my share! But this seems to be my best option, and thank goodness it's not very invasive. Thanks again for your suggestions and concern!
