Incontinence Surgery?

[Eyelet]

I apologize in advance if this is TMI.

Ever since I was pregnant with my DS, I've had stress incontinence. As time went on, it's gotten worse. I can't sneeze, cough, laugh, etc. without an accident and it's become extremely tiresome. I'm seriously considering having the surgery done and I'm wondering if anyone else has btdt and can share their experience.

Thanks.

[Naturopath Mom]

Have you tried kegel exercises?

[karanyavel]

I assume you have a cystocele?

My mother had the surgery and it worked really well for her. She had it done almost 30 years ago.

I have the same problem but also have neurogenic bladder, so I have to deal with hesitancy and retention as well as stress incontinence. I *was* thinking about getting the surgery done -- probably once I was done having children -- but I changed my mind. See, I had to start self-cathing (TMI, I know) and that greatly improved not just the retention/hesitancy issues but also the stress incontinence.

I don't think I would do it unless I was definitely done having children, though. It seems like a vaginal birth could ... disrupt things, if that makes sense. That may depend on which type of surgery you have, though.

--K

[Ackray]

Can your doctor refer you to a urogynecologist? If you can, get a urodynamics study to find out exactly what is causing your incontinence and the exact treatment or surgery that you need. The treatment could be as easy as pelvic floor physical therapy.

[Arianwen1174]

A urodynamics study will make all the difference in the world in figuring out the best treatment. But know that surgery may not "last" forever, even though the difference can be dramatic. My surgeon told me I might start seeing issues again as soon as 5 years after surgery and that's pretty much what happened. I've had some issues again for about the past 2.5 years but it's still way better than before the surgery. Hopefully pelvic floor PT would work great for you!

[MAMom]

Don't know how old your LO's are or if you're still BFing, but time & change in hormones (when you stop BFing) can have a positive impact (my midwife suggested I'd notcie a change when DD stoped BFing and I did). I have a cystocele and my youngest is now 4.5 and I have no issues from it.

I've done acupuncture and strengthening exercises on this site (not kegels, but strengthening other muscles). You can see all her posts on pelvic floor issues here.

Maya abdominal massage can also be extremely helpful to reposition organs.

PT can be very helpful too if you can find a good practicioner, but I found I could do enough things on my own to help without having to do PT.

There is a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support Thread here on MDC with tons of posts too.