A: A urogynecologist is a doctor (obstetrician/gynecologist or urologist) who has completed resident training in obstetrics and gynecology or urology, as well as fellowship training in female pelvic floor problems. Currently, obstetrician/gynecologists must complete a three-year fellowship, whereas urologists must complete a two-year fellowship. The American Board of Medical Specialties has designated Female Pelvic Medicine and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS/Urogynecology) as a recognized subspecialty (ABMS).
A: A urogynecologist is a doctor that specializes in treating a wide range of female pelvic floor issues, including bladder difficulties, pelvic prolapse, female sexual dysfunction, and vaginal anomalies.
A: Yes, to put it simply. Bladder testing, pelvic floor physical therapy, and vaginal prolapse repair operations are typically covered by health insurance companies in the same way that other surgical procedures are, and are not considered cosmetic procedures. Prior to any testing or procedures, our office will acquire prior authorization from your insurance carrier to ensure that they are covered, and we will notify you if you are responsible for any financial obligations.
Q: When I cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise, I suffer urine leakage. Is this merely the result of growing older?
A:Urinary leakage when laughing, coughing, or sneezing is a sign of a condition known as “urinary leakage as a result of stress.” Even with aging, this is not typical. Stress urinary leakage can be caused by a weakening of the sphincter muscle that controls urine flow or by changes in the urethra’s angle “The urethra has been dropped.” Surgical and non-surgical treatments are available for this problem.
Q: I’ve tried over-the-counter drugs for frequent urination, but they haven’t helped. What options do I have?
Urinary Urgency (a sudden, strong desire to urinate) and Frequency (the need to urinate more frequently than normal) are both signs of an overactive bladder. The bladder wall is a muscle that is generally relaxed at all times and only contracts to force pee out when you need to urinate. If you have irregular bladder wall contractions, you will feel a sense of urgency and frequency, as well as involuntary urine leakage, before you reach the toilet on time.
Medications relax the bladder wall, which helps to prevent aberrant contractions. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients stop taking the medicine due to a lack of improvement in their symptoms or the medication’s negative effects. Nerve stimulation therapy (Interstim procedure) and/or Botox Bladder injections may be appropriate for patients who have failed to respond to medicines.
A: Vaginal mesh implants are commonly used to treat urine incontinence and vaginal prolapse. Vaginal / pelvic pain, painful sexual intercourse, erosion into the vaginal wall, infection, and recurring prolapse or increased incontinence are all possible side effects of meshes. Vaginal creams, pelvic floor physical therapy, and/or vaginal mesh excision (i.e. removal) and repeat vaginal repair utilizing non mesh methods are all alternatives depending on the nature and severity of the issue.
Q: Do I need surgery if I have “urinary leakage” or “dropped bladder or recturm”?
A: No, that is not the case. Treatment options include both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Our physician will educate you about your disease and treatment options, as well as assist you in selecting the best treatment plan for you.
A: Bladder lifts and incontinence operations had a negative reputation in the past for having a high recurrence rate. The field of urogynecology, on the other hand, has progressed and continues to develop on a daily basis. New procedures have become available. The growth of fellowship training programs in urogynecology has also resulted in an increase in the number of trained professionals in the field. The type of procedure, your physician’s level of training, and the severity of your ailment are all factors that could affect your success rate. Our doctor will inform you about your chances of recovery and assist you in making an informed decision about your treatment.
Fecal Incontinence (Accidendal Bowel Leakage) is more common in women, particularly those who have had a difficult vaginal birth with probable anal sphincter muscle injury. The strength of the anal sphincter muscles can be measured with an anorectal manometry test. Dietary changes, medicinal therapy, pelvic floor physical therapy and biofeedback, Interstim neuromodulation, and/or surgical restoration of the anal sphincter are all possibilities. Following a thorough history and physical examination, as well as any necessary testing, you will be given full counseling on the benefits and drawbacks of nonsurgical and surgical alternatives, as well as the success rates of each.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) patients frequently experience bladder pain and unpleasant frequent urination. Although the symptoms may match those of a bladder infection, a bacteria test in the urine is usually negative. The bladder diet, medicinal therapy, and bladder instillations are all available at our office as part of a well-organized management regimen for IC. For more complex instances, we also offer more advanced therapies such as cystoscopy + hydrodistension, Interstim Neuromodulation, and Botox bladder injections, if clinically warranted.
How much does it cost for bladder sling surgery?
Bladder lift surgery might cost anything from $5,800 to $8,000. The exact amount varies depending on the operation.
Similar to other surgical treatments, bladder lift procedures are frequently covered by health insurance programs. They aren’t regarded as cosmetic treatments.
If you have health insurance, you should check with your plan to see what your out-of-pocket payments will be before proceeding with the treatment. Inquire about deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Is a bladder sling an outpatient surgery?
Surgery to place a midurethral sling usually takes less than 30 minutes. Because it is an outpatient operation, you can generally go home the same day. Recovery time for SUI is often faster than for other operations.
If synthetic mesh is utilized, there is a slight chance that it will erode through the vaginal tissue (less than 5%). Mesh erosion can result in long-term pain, infections, and discomfort during sexual activity. It’s possible that more surgery will be required to fix the condition.
Another danger is that the equipment used to install the midurethral sling may cause harm to the bladder or other pelvic organs. When the sling passes behind the pubic bone during retropubic sling procedures, this is more common. In most cases, this damage does not result in long-term complications.
The American Urogynecologic Society and the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction both recommend using a mesh midurethral sling.
If you wish to get pregnant in the future, you should avoid using synthetic midurethral slings. You may find that nonsurgical treatments are the best option for you.
How painful is bladder sling surgery?
If there are no issues, you will most likely be able to return home 2 to 3 days after surgery. Expect a 2- to 4-week recovery time when you return home, during which you should avoid doing too much work or engaging in any hard activities.
The degree of pain you experience after surgery is determined by the procedure itself, your physical state at the time of surgery, and your own pain tolerance. You may most likely experience discomfort at the incision site as well as abdominal cramping. During the first few days after surgery, your doctor will prescribe medication to help you feel better. If you are experiencing pain and are unable to get relief, contact your doctor.
Many women get constipation as a result of this procedure. There are a few things you can do to avoid constipation:
- Every day, consume fruits, vegetables, legumes, and entire grains. Fiber is abundant in these foods.
- Drink plenty of water until your urine turns light yellow or clear like water.
- If needed, use a fiber supplement like Citrucel or Metamucil every day. Read and follow all of the label’s instructions.
- Make time for a bowel movement every day. Having a daily regimen can be beneficial. When having a bowel movement, take your time and don’t strain.
If you still have constipation after trying these remedies, consult your doctor.
Is a bladder sling worth it?
Gravity, childbearing, and weight increase can weaken and move the bladder and urethra (the tube through which urine flows) as we age. Bladder slings, also known as urethral slings, are used to keep the urethra in its usual position while applying slight pressure to keep urine from seeping out. The slings are constructed of natural or synthetic fabrics and are fastened to the abdominal wall.
What kind of doctor does bladder sling surgery?
Finding the correct doctor to treat your stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a crucial part of the process. SUI can be treated by a variety of specialists, but even within each speciality, there are clinicians who specialize in certain disorders and treatment approaches.
Investing time in research can make a huge difference in the quality of care you receive. Always remember to ask questions, obtain references, and inquire about the doctors’ success statistics for any surgery you are considering. To find the ideal fit for you, be your own advocate.
- Gynecologists are doctors who specialize in women’s health, particularly the diagnosis and treatment of problems of the female reproductive organs. Because this is such a large field, it’s crucial to ask questions to figure out what each gynecologist specializes in. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Inquire about how many other patients with your disease the gynecologist sees in a month. If your gynecologist specializes in obstetrics (childbirth) rather than pelvic floor surgery, you may want to seek out someone who has more experience with the procedure you require.
- Urogynecologists are specialists who specialize in the reproductive system and urinary tract of women. Both pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence are treated there. Seeing a urogynecologist may be a smart option for you because these illnesses are frequently connected.
- Urologists treat men and women and specialize in the urinary tract and urogenital system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. This is the specialist to see if you have stress urine incontinence. Some urologists, but not all, undertake pelvic floor repair operations, so do your research.
Remember to ask any questions you may have so you can have faith in your health-care provider. Look for information on health care professional review sites and, if possible, ask to talk with previous patients. You should feel entirely at ease with the doctor you’ve chosen.
How do I know if my bladder sling is failing?
Symptoms of vaginal mesh problems might appear weeks or months after the procedure and include:
- Due to loosened vaginal mesh material, your partner may also experience pain during sexual intercourse.
Infections caused by vaginal mesh issues can swiftly progress, necessitating immediate medical attention. It’s critical to consult your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms after transvaginal mesh surgery.
What are symptoms of bladder sling problems?
Depending on whatever organ is implicated, the symptoms differ. Vaginal mesh extrusion, for example, can cause vaginal bleeding, abnormal discharge, dyspareunia, and vaginal pain. Painful voiding, urine frequency, urgency, hematuria, recurrent urinary tract infection, urinary calculi, and urinary fistula are all symptoms of mesh erosion into the bladder/urethra.
Can a Midurethral sling be removed?
Findings The rate of sling removal was 3.3 percent at 9 years in this retrospective cohort analysis of 95 057 women who had a midurethral mesh sling inserted for stress urine incontinence. Meaning These findings could help people make better decisions about how to treat stress urine incontinence.
Is walking good for bladder prolapse?
Treatment for bladder prolapse is determined by how ‘bothersome’ the prolapse is (how much discomfort it causes you) and where it is in its progression. The more advanced the prolapse, the more troublesome it will be. You and your gynaecologist will explore the most irritating parts of the symptoms and how they are affecting your life during your consultation. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the degree of prolapse, a treatment strategy might be created.
Treatment for asymptomatic bladder prolapse
You may not need therapy if you have no symptoms of bladder prolapse. It’s possible that this is the situation with stage 1 or stage 2 prolapse. In fact, you may be completely unaware of the bladder prolapse. It could be detected by your doctor during a normal exam, such as a cervical screening test.
The important features of handling such instances are lifestyle adjustments and physiotherapy. There are certain things you can do to help prevent the problem from worsening, such as:
- Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, which have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of early-stage bladder prolapse and prevent it from deteriorating.
It’s always a good idea to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist so they can properly examine your pelvic floor function and explain you how to undertake pelvic floor exercises. For the treatment of prolapse and urine incontinence, the best available data supports supervised pelvic floor muscle workouts.
Treatment for symptomatic bladder prolapse
If you have symptoms of bladder prolapse, it is recommended that you make the same lifestyle modifications as persons who do not have symptoms, conduct pelvic floor muscle training, and address any chronic cough. Make them a regular part of your day.
However, prolapse can occasionally be more severe, and these procedures may not be enough to alleviate symptoms on their own.
1. Vaginal pessaries are a non-surgical option.
A pessary is a silicone-primarily device. It is put into the vaginal canal to maintain the front vaginal wall and bladder prolapse. Pessaries are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
A pessary does not require surgery to be implanted. It can be done in a pelvic floor physiotherapist’s office, a continence nurse’s office, or your gynecologist’s office.
Some women may prefer this alternative if they want to avoid or postpone surgery, and it may also be the safest option for women who are not surgical candidates.
If you’re going to be using a vaginal pessary for a long time, you’ll need to see your doctor on a frequent basis.
Surgery may be required in some circumstances when all other treatment options have failed to relieve symptoms or when a woman refuses to use a pessary.
The sort of surgery you’ll need will be determined by the combination of prolapse and urinary tract symptoms you’re experiencing. Your doctor will go over the various surgical options with you.
A urine catheter is commonly introduced during surgery to allow your bladder to rest for a day after surgery, although this depends depend on the procedure you undergo.
It takes roughly six weeks to recover from surgery. A physiotherapist can offer appropriate exercises, and your doctor can advise you on how to care for yourself during the healing period.