If you’re suffering from stress incontinence, which is a form of urinary incontinence, conservative treatments often are not sufficient enough to eliminate the problem.
Bladder sling, also known as urethral sling surgery, treats urinary incontinence in both men and women. With a urethral sling treatment, a sling is connected to your abdominal wall to lift the urethra into its normal position. Pressure is then exerted on the urethra to assist with urine retention.
What is a Bladder Sling Made of?
The sling can be constructed using a variety of materials, including ligaments or muscle/tendon tissue removed from either your own body or an animal. The sling may also contain synthetics that eventually disintegrate.
When Would A Bladder Sling Be Right for Me?
Bladder slings are most commonly used to help patients who suffer from stress incontinence. However, it can also be used to help with occurrences of a sagging urethra or bladder neck, a history of previous failed surgeries, or complication factors that may result in failure of other surgeries.
What to Expect After Surgery
Urethral sling surgery can be safely performed in an outpatient surgery center. There is normally a 2-4 week recovery period, during which you should avoid doing too much activity to allow your body to properly heal.
It’s likely you will feel some pain and discomfort where your incision is and you may feel some cramping in your abdomen. Your doctor will prescribe you medication to help with the pain during the first few days after surgery. If you continue to experience pain, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.
How Well Does a Urethral Sling Work?
According to the American Urological Association, approximately 8 out of 10 women are cured of urinary incontinence after this surgery.
Are There Any Risks?
Like with any type of invasive surgery, there are risks. Complications of a urethral sling procedure may include:
- Trouble urinating after surgery
- New symptoms of urgency or urge incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
Bladder Sling Treatment in Middle Tennessee
If you suffer from stress incontinence or another common reason for a bladder sling, contact us today to see how we can help you. Our doctors, located in Nashville and Franklin, TN, are experts in treatments for bladder incontinence and would love to help you get back to a normal lifestyle.
Contact us today, here, or give us a call at 615-547-2938 to talk to one of our specialists!
