Sling Surgery for Female Incontinence

Sling surgery, also known as urethral sling, is a procedure for the treatment of female urinary incontinence. A sling is used to surround the urethra as a means of positioning it correctly, as well as to place appropriate pressure on the urethra to assist in urine retention.

This sling is held in place by attachment to the abdominal wall, and it is constructed of tissue such as a ligament, tendon or muscle. Tissue can be taken from the patient herself or come from an animal. It’s possible that the material used for the sling can be synthetically produced from an absorbable polymer or body compatible plastic.

Purpose of Sling Surgery

This surgical procedure is meant for women who are experiencing what is known as stress incontinence. There are many reasons a patient may be experiencing this condition. Sagging of the urethra or the neck of the bladder is often to blame.

Other common reasons for urinary incontinence are functional issues of the bladder sphincter, difficulty related to past surgeries or factors that make other kinds of treatment difficult such as obesity.

Considerations

There are some benefits to using your own tissue in construction of the sling like less chance of erosion of the urethra and the body rejecting the sling. However, you should expect your procedure to take longer and involve more incisions since there is the need to remove the necessary tissue.

There are actions you can take to improve your chances of having a successful surgery. You may be advised to begin doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor prior to your procedure. Also, losing weight and quitting smoking may be recommended. Incidents of complications are decreased when you have an experienced surgeon performing the procedure.

Expectations After Surgery

Because this is a major surgery requiring deep incisions, you will need to be hospitalized afterward. Once you’ve returned home, you will need to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks while you recover. You’re likely to feel some abdominal cramping. A pain reliever may be prescribed if necessary.

Sling surgery is a good option for women suffering from female incontinence, often after having no success with another procedure. At Wayzata Cosmetic Surgery, we will help you decide if sling surgery is the best choice for you. We offer a variety of services such as bio-identical hormones, skin tightening, and more to help patients achieve satisfaction. Contact us today for your consultation.