Questions & answers

Stress Urinary Incontinence:

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary control over your urinary functions. This condition affects over 13 million Americans, 85% of which are women.

Can urinary incontinence be successfully treated?

Yes. While incontinence can be an aspect of aging, it can be treated.

What causes female stress incontinence?

Female stress incontinence can slowly develop as you age, and may be a result of childbirth. It generally occurs when your pelvic muscles are not strong enough to keep the opening from the bladder neck closed when you’re under physical stress, which includes laughing, coughing, lifting, exercising, or increasing abdominal pressure in any other way.

What are the treatment options for stress urinary incontinence?

Today there are multiple treatment options available for patients, including a surgical correction called a Aris® Trans-obturator and Supris^TM Suprapubic sling procedures. Your doctor can discuss these and additional treatment options with you.

What is a sling procedure?

A sling procedure is a minimally invasive surgical option that uses a simple hammock or U-shaped sling to correct stress incontinence by supporting your urethra to keep it in its correct position.

Can I become incontinent again after having a sling procedure?

Currently, sling procedures have a success rate of about 85%. Therefore, it is possible to again become incontinent following a sling procedure. Future pregnancies following a sling procedure may negate the effects of your surgery, and you may once again become incontinent.

How long does it take to recover from a sling procedure?

Every patient’s recovery time is different. During your recovery, it is important to avoid heavy lifting and sexual intercourse. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more specific details about your individual recovery process.

What are the risks associated with a sling procedure?

While every surgical procedure carries some risk, serious complications from sling surgery are infrequent. You may experience some trouble with urination following the procedure, from a slow flow to not being able to urinate, or you may feel you have to go more often. You may have a reaction to the sling material itself or an infection. Ask your doctor for more information about potential risks and complications, as well as your specific surgery and situation.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse:

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles become too weak to hold the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vaginal wall or rectum) in place.

Can pelvic organ prolapse be successfully treated?

Yes. While pelvic organ prolapse can get worse over time and will not go away on its own, it can be treated.

What causes pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. Pregnancy and childbirth are the most common causes of pelvic organ prolapse. However, menopause, previous vaginal surgery, chronic coughing or straining, heavy lifting, obesity, family history and loss of muscle tone as a result of aging can also contribute.

What are the treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse?

There are both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. The non-surgical options may include; lifestyle changes, Kegels, vaginal pessaries or medicine. Surgical treatments are minimally invasive and restore your body to your natural state by inserting either a biological (Axis^TM or Suspend^®) or synthetic graft (NovaSilk^®). Your doctor can discuss these and additional treatment options with you.

What is the prolapse procedure?

A prolapse procedure is a minimally invasive surgical option that uses a graft (biological or synthetic) to correct prolapse by placing the graft material over the bulge and suturing it into place restoring the natural pelvic floor support.

How long does it take to recover from a prolapse procedure?

What are the risks associated with a prolapse procedure?

While every surgical procedure carries some risk, serious complications from prolapse surgery are infrequent. Ask your doctor for more information about potential risks and complications, as well as your specific surgery and situation.