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Do you dread every cough, sneeze, or laugh because of the urine leak that often accompanies it? Or do you find yourself scoping out the nearest bathroom every time you leave the house? If you have tried conservative treatments for your urinary incontinence but not found success, incontinence surgery may be right for you.
Here at Habersham OBGYN located in Demorest, Georgia, Dr. Thomas Hatchett and our specially skilled team employ the latest in high-quality integrative health care services for women. We offer everything from preventive care and the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive system health issues to prenatal and obstetrics services. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and treatment protocols for all our procedures, including incontinence surgery.
There are a number of different types of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, in which urine leaks when you cough, laugh, or otherwise put pressure on the bladder. Other common types are urge incontinence when you get a sudden and intense need to go, and overflow incontinence when your bladder doesn't fully empty and results in urine dribbling.
Treatment for urinary incontinence typically begins with conservative methods. These can include anything from behavioral techniques like bladder training and pelvic floor muscle exercises to medications, electrical stimulation, and more.
Some people, however, may suffer from issues like significantly weakened pelvic floor muscles, inherited problems, or more complicated bladder challenges. In these cases, conservative approaches may not bring enough relief; incontinence surgery could be the logical next step.
Incontinence surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can bring significant relief to women who are in good health and have finished having children. It can help improve your quality of life by doing away with worries about sudden urges to go and embarrassing accidents.
There are several common types of surgery including:
The midurethral sling is the most frequently performed urinary incontinence surgery. It involves putting a synthetic mesh strap under the urethra to act as a sling or hammock to provide support for the urethra and bladder neck.
The traditional sling procedure is similar to the midurethral sling in that it also gives more support for the urethra and neck of the bladder. Unlike the other surgery, it uses your own tissue and is slightly more invasive.
The suspension procedure involves several small incisions being made in the pelvic area and the urethra and bladder neck being secured in place with durable stitches to reduce sagging and pressure.
Recovery time depends on which procedure you have done, and it generally takes several weeks for you to return to the majority of your everyday routine. A few activities like strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse should be avoided for approximately four to six weeks.
If you've tried traditional methods to deal with your urinary incontinence but are still suffering, book online or call our office at 706-229-4718 today to make an appointment and find out if incontinence surgery might provide the relief you've been seeking.
