Stress incontinence, pros and cons of sling surgery, any success stories?

[kabs8]

I've had stress urinary incontinence for 5-6 years, now age 52.  Have seen urologist two times with lots of questions, had exam, cystoscopy, and she's recommending sling surgery for hypermobile urethra.  After very very much thought, I've agreed to the surgery but am quite worried.  The incontinence happens with coughing, sneezing, heavy lifting, running, but not each and every time.  But I feel so demeaning, dirty, and have learned to hate myself when those episodes happen.  I asked my Dr. if I was jumping the gun in agreeing to surgery and thought maybe I should wait until past menopause. She said she could see how frustrated and upset I am about this when talking to her and she feels it would improve my quality of life. My husband says the same thing, if it bothers me so bad, it's time to do something.  I've read so many horror stories on the net about this surgery, and a few positive outcomes, but sure would like to hear more positives.  Dr. did tell me to take with a grain of salt everything I read on the net.  Medical sites that I've been to, such as this one, are very informative and helpful, but I'd like to hear from women who actually had the surgery and their experiences.  I'm afraid of having the surgery, then having more trouble afterwards and being worse than I was to begin with.  

[Margaret88]

I had this surgery, and it was not successful. And now, I just read that the FDA has issued a report about complications associated with some of the materials used in this surgery. If you go to http://www.dailysite.com/info/women-wellness-40 and scroll down to Feb. 19, you'll see a link on the right side of the screen, entitled Complications Associated with Surgical Mesh in Repair of Urinary Incontinence. If you click on that, you can read the FDA advisory.

[kathytrys]

I just turned 47, have had stress incontinence for about three years.  I had a partial hysterectomy 5 years ago due to 24/7 heavy bleeding from several large fibroids for 5 years (tried several procedures without results).  I read on a medical site recently that 40% of all women who have had a hysterectomy, develope some form of incontinence withint the first 5 years afterwards.  I have or had (the jury is till out) the same poblem as Beabun, Hypermobile Urethra - I leaked when I coughed, sneezed, ran, bent over . . .  but not always.  When I started having to wear a pad within this last year, I knew it was time to do something about it for the quality of my life.  This last Friday, Feb. 20th, 2009, I had the sling surgery.  It was an out-patient surgery, through the vagina and two incisions on either side of it.  I am back to my secretarial job today feeling fine.  However,  yesterday I noticed while urinating I tried to stop the flow mid-streem and when almost done and could not stop the flow either time.  I am leaking everytime I bend over and sometimes when I am just sitting.  I am worried, but am willing to be patient in case it is just something my body needs to learn to work with and adjust to.  I have a call into my doctor to set my 3 week post-op' appointment and will have questions for him then.  I will keep you posted on my progress.

[kchicaddo]

I have had 2 sling surgeries in the past six months my dr told me the first one was a success.  Then when I would try to hold it to go to the bathroom I would leak and barely make it to the bathroom.  Then it gradually over the next 6 months was worse and worse till I had barely any control.  So my dr said we will do another sling I should have known when he did not tell me the surgery was a success that he had messed me up worse.  He sent me home from the hospital with a catheder in and urine was running down my leg as well as the catheder. When I called they gave me the emergency dr because it was the weekend and he assured me the catheder was prolly either stopped up or I was having bladder spasms.  I really did not believe this but I accepted it.  I went to the Drs office Monday they took the catheder out I had no control I am only 48 and now I have no control of my bladder.  I go to the Dr tomorrow but anyone reading this I think you should try all other alternatives before you try this.  The only reason I did it to begin with is they assured me they could fix it and I would be normal again.  

[Debbie61308]

I just had the sling surgery two weeks ago along with my hysterectomy.  I'd been having incontinence issues since my third child was born.  She's 17 now!  I went to one Urologist 7 years ago.  It took me several years after giving birth to even admit to my doctor that I was having a problem.  I kept thinking it would get better on it's own.  NOT!  His very unsympathetic comment to me during my visit was "Couldn't be all that bad if it took you 10 years to seek help!"  OMG  It took me 10 years just to build up the courage to tell my doctor about it.  

After having a horrible bout of the flu this past winter, I finally decided to go through with all of the surgery.  I was coughing and leaking so much, that I had to use Depends on a full time basis.  By the way, I'm 49.  I did not want to spend the second half of my life using Depends on a daily basis.

It's been almost 3 weeks since surgery.  No more leaking when I cough, sneeze, bend, walk, breathe, clear my throat, or move.  YAY!  Best decision ever!

I'm feeling some tightness from where the sling must be attached at the moment.  I think I got back on the exercise bike a bit too soon.  Hopefully this tight feeling will soon subside.  SUI is not normal, and there is help available.  I am so grateful to my current doctors!