Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Urogynecology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Bladder Sling Surgery
Answered by
Lennox Hoyte, M.D. - UroGynecology, Pelvic Surgery
USF College College of Medicine Tampa - FL
Questions in the Urogynecology forum are answered by medical professionals affiliated with USF Health. Topics covered include overactive bladders, bladder pain, fallen/drooping bladder, bowel urgency, bowel prolapse, cystitis, incontinence, pain with intercourse, rectal prolapse, surgery, urinary urgency, and uterine prolapse.

Bladder Sling Surgery

by sharmi, Dec 23, 2007 09:33PM
I had a bladder sling surgery on Nov. 26, 2007 and for three weeks, had to self catherize. The urogyn said that the sling was probably too tight and performed a second procedure to loosen it.  It is more that a week and I still have to self -catherize.  Whenever I get a strong urge sensation,I try to go on my own. I have to squeeze in my stomach and hold it for about a minute, and only about a tablespoon amount of urine comes-out. Then I self cath and get about 125 to 150 cc.  I feel that the sling tension is most likely still too tight or that the procedure is just not working for me but the urogyn disagrees . I would like to have it remove before any further healing of the scar tissue or other problems such as UTI, infections, kidney problems but my urogyn wants to wait another month. I would not mind waiting if there were noticeable/encouraging progress but there is not any and I am getting frustrated. What are your thoughts?Thank you.

by Lennox Hoyte, M.D., Dec 24, 2007 09:15AM
This also happens to my sling patients from time to time. I have found that this problem is often associated with a non-relaxing urethral sphincter and/or pelvic floor muscle. In order to urinate, you have to relax the urethral sphincter, and lower your pelvic floor. Sometimes after surgery, some women have difficulty doing this, especially after pelvic floor surgery. Releasing or removing the sling usually does not help, especially if the sling is loose to begin with. Options for treatment include pelvic floor physical therapy to help loosen the pelvic floor muscles, flomax (a drug which can relax the urethral sphincter, - usually used on men who can't pee due to enlarged prostates - caution this can also lower blood pressure), and Botox injected into the urethral and pelvic floor muscles. The fact that you are having bladder spasms is a good sign, it means that your bladder muscle ( the Detrusor) is in good working order. Have your urogyn check your urethral pressure profile, and note the maximum urethral closure pressure. If both of these are in the normal range, then the sling is probably not too tight, and you may benefit from therapy to relax your pelvic floor muscles and urethral sphincter.

Dr. Hoyte
Member Comments (1)

by otter33, Sep 20, 2008 11:43AM
A related discussion, bladder sling cramping was started.

by jeanray, Mar 29, 2009 08:16PM
A related discussion, bladdersling was started.
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
When Your Cold Is Not A Cold
7 hrs ago by Steven Y Park, MD
Cataract, Removal, Artificial Lens,...
21 hrs ago by Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.
7 Ways to Reduce Stress During the ...
Dec 07 by Steven Y Park, MD