The Facts about Bladder Sling Surgery

What Causes SUI?

In women, child birth is a major contributing factor to the weakening of muscles and tissues that support the bladder. There may also be nerve damage from the impact of delivery. Contributing factors include intense exercise, constant coughing from smoking, intake of caffeine and obesity. A hysterectomy can often effect the bladder and urethra, as can routine aging.

Treatment Options

Depending on your physician and the severity of the damage, one or more treatment options may be presented to you. Natural non-surgical recommendations such as drinking less coffee, quit smoking and losing weight are ways to reduce the urine leakage. Pelvic muscle exercises can also help strengthen the weakened muscles.

Another non-surgical technique can be performed by a physician through injections. Materials are inserted around the bladder neck to tighten and strengthen the opening. While this synthetic treatment can aid in the performance of bladder control, seldom does it repair the problem completely.

The bladder sling surgery is an outpatient procedure where a synthetic mesh is placed under the urethra to support the weight and pressure. It also benefits the neck of the bladder, keeping both firm and stopping leakage. Human tissue can also be used in the place of foreign synthetic mesh, but the procedure and healing time is more intense.

A colposuspension is another type of surgery where the neck of the bladder is stitched in order to hold the urethra in place.

Precautions of SUI Procedures

Any time that an unnatural material is placed inside the body, the risk of inflammation, infection or more serious complications can occur. These signs have been discovered in over 20% of female patients that have chosen the bladder sling surgery. Also referred to as transvaginal mesh surgery, there have been reports of nearby organs being perforated or the body rejecting the foreign material.

The less invasive procedures also have a history of less damaging results, like bleeding, inability to urinate and a feeling of urgency in urination. Disturbing this sensitive area can also create an atmosphere for infections to become more common. Only you and your doctor can make an educated decision on the severity of the condition and any compromises that could have an effect on your overall health.

Natural approaches to SUI should be looked at and tried before radical steps are taken. Kegel exercises require no drugs or surgery and can be conducted in the privacy of your own home. Simply squeeze the urinary tract muscles for 3 seconds, then release for 3 seconds. Do this 10 times, 3 times per day. Increase to 4 seconds the next week and so on until you reach 10 seconds per session.

Always do appropriate study when considering a procedure for SUI. It may seem like a good idea to end the uncomfortable feeling of leaking urine, but understanding the risks may change your mind about seeking treatment. Bladder sling complications have become a growing problem due to the tender internal region where synthetic materials are placed.