Bladder sling surgery repair?

[ppmom1124]

I had the Monarc bladder sling surgery a month ago. I am voiding fine, and don't appear to have the stress incontinence anymore; however, I am in constant discomfort since my stitches are still protruding from my vagina. My surgeon says that I have had erosion through the vaginal wall, which is apparently one of the possible complications. I have been told that my options are: excise the piece of the sling that is pushing through my vagina (touted as the least invasive w/fastest recovery time); remove the sling and go back to the original problem of incontinence; excise the protruding piece and replace it with a piece of another sling (?); or  replace the sling. I was leaning toward the excision of the piece of sling (I'm already out of sick days, so time off was a concern), but am now leaning toward a longer-term solution of replacing the sling. My surgeon has deferred to another urogynecologic surgeon w/more experience than she has with repairs. I have made 2 additional appointments w/other urogynecologists for second opinions, but was unable to get in for another 2 weeks. I want to have the repair "yesterday"! All I can do after work is lay on the couch; I want to move on w/my recovery.

After all of this, my question(s) is (are): how common is the bladder sling surgery repair? At what point am I in danger of developing scar tissue from this surgery? Will they be able to remove the entire sling, or is it already embedded in my tissues? Would you recommend waiting (w/discomfort) until I can get in to see the other drs. for 2nd opinions? Or should I just go ahead and schedule the surgery since I'm pretty sure that that's what I want to do anyway?


This discussion is related to surgery Feb. 2003--bladder sling--problems.

[Karen4120]

I had sling surgery on 12/20/12 .  The procedure was fast and very successful.  I was completely out for it under general.  The worst part was the pain in my legs from being in the stirrups.  This was the most uncomfortable part for me.  I had very little post op pain but took the pain pills anyway to keep ahead of any that would be coming.  I also noticed that being on my feet too much caused swelling and the frequency to pee increase.  I am following all the rules and behaving.  My dr. said to my husband and I that he did his part....not we need to do ours.  For the next 6 weeks I am taking it easy, no lifting, straining etc.  I returned to work part time  after 12 days and really feel good and IT WORKS!!.  I was able to pee right away without any  issues.  I had done lots of internet research before hand and was really scared to have this procedure done.  Lots of negative reviews and not too many positive ones.  I had tried 6 weeks of bladder physcial therapy before this procedure with a bladder center and that was a total waste of my time and money.  I did the kegels, changed my diet and saw my leaks get worse instead of better.  I am 51 yrs old and decided I had nothing left to lose with the surgery.  I have 4 kids (all vaginal births) and that really did a number on my bladder.  So far I am very happy and would recommend it.
Karen

[anbumalar]

I had monarch sling surgery on 12th dec.2012 but still now I cannont urine. can you help comment

[zumbarocks69]

I had the suburethral sling and the anterir colporrhaphy with a complete hysterectomy on Nov 6. So far, I have not had any complications from the sling. I spoke with my doctor about the sling, because of all the complications, she said that she did not use the metal mesh. She used porcine (pig skin) since it is so much like our own. She even commented that if she were having the surgery she would choose the porcine. I also believe it depends on the skill of the surgeon.

[stephanie2tweet]

I'm 34. I have delt with Abdominal pain for years. In 99 I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovaries, by having a Laparoscopy done on my stomach. Was put on Birth Control to stop that pain and it went away for many years.
I noticed my abdominal pain came back when my insurance company changed my Birth Control to an off brand name. It caused major mood swings and acne. Then my period almost stopped.
I have had three children, all vaginally. They were really bad deliveries.
I had another Laparoscopy done 2 weeks ago this Monday. I was just diagnosed with severe prolapsed organs. I am going in for pre-opt on Tuesday and Surgery for removing my Uterus. She said she was going to place something to hold my bladder. I don’t have much problem with leak, only when I have the UTI’s it seems to be present cause the pain is so bad and I have to go to the bathroom so often, it ends up causing enough of a leak that I need a panty liner.
I’m extremely worried about getting a sling or anything placed on my bladder. The laparoscopy that I had 2 weeks ago, this Monday is still painful and has made my vagina opening more relaxed and the “ball” is coming through more. I’ve been doing keagle exercises but, it’s causing major abdominal pain.
I wish the dr would have explained to us if she comes across this, we can do this or that, but she just used the laparoscopy to diagnose instead of diagnose and fix. SO thinking it was going to be nothing, I had her burn my tubes while she was in there. Not happy. Cause now I have to have a hysterectomy of my uterus as I’m in stage 2-3. And she could have gone over the possibilites prior to my 1st surgery and we could have had the uterus taken at that time. I feel like she wasted my time.
I have been off work since the surgery and now will not be back until the earliest of Nov 19th. Give me a break. I’ve been so moody and upset and worried about needing a sling done on my bladder. If there are any true “good” stories out there, please talk.

[mommy127]

9-2012 I had an ablation and a monarc sling placed a few days ago. Little pain.  No heavy bleeding. No cramping. No need for the percocets. So far 3 days out I am going crazy because I am not able to do anything although I feel totally normal. I feel like i could go back to work lift my kids and exercise...........however I will follow the doctors orders. I recommend that If you need ablation and bladder life do it together. The only discomfort is my butt from sitting around doing nothing.

[over60grandma1949]

help!  i need to speak to someone from the college station, tx area about this mesh.