Incontinence Surgery

Stress incontinence is loss of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or anything that increases abdominal pressure. The problem in stress incontinence is that the tissues supporting the bladder and urethra are weak and permit the urethra to drop into an abnormal position. The normal mechanism for preventing leakage of urine no longer works, resulting in inappropriate loss of urine. This weakness is often genetic but can be worsened by smoking, obesity, and vaginal delivery. While there are many procedures to correct the problem, all incontinence surgeries have the common goal to correct inadequate urethral support and restore the urethra to its proper position.

If you suffer from stress incontinence, you may be a candidate for a Tension Free Vaginal Tape mid-urethral sling procedure. This outpatient procedure utilizes a mesh tape that lifts and supports the urethra, making leakage more difficult to occur.

The procedure is performed by all physicians at Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern utilizing a 1/2-inch incision in the vagina. The cure rate is over 90%, the complication rate low, and the recovery short.

Careful evaluation is crucial before determining if you are a candidate for this procedure, since stress incontinence is not the only cause of urine loss. 

If you suffer from incontinence, the first step is to schedule urodynamic testing to determine the type of incontinence you have. 

For more information, talk to your doctor. You can also go to gynecare.com for more information about this procedure.