Has anyone had to have bladder sling loosen after surgery?

Posted , 3 users are following.

I just canceled my surgery date. My bladder after 5 months is still not emptying all the way. I called the office today, to go over in detail the restrictions. At my office visit earlier, she acted like it was no big deal, easy just a few stitches. When I called back today, was told it would be 6 weeks, no squatting, lifting etc. Basically the same as the two prolapse surgery.

I'm going to give it some more time. I could not find to much info on internet on this. I'm a very heathy 51 year old. No problems before prolapse that happen last May.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thankssmile

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    The recovery isn't the same as rectocele and cystocele repair surgery. They are major surgery a bladder sling is minor surgery and the recovery is much easier and almost pain free. Prolapse surgery takes much longer than 6 weeks to recover where as a bladder sling is 4-6 weeks and driving after 4 weeks although some urogynaecologists say drive at 3 weeks. I've nursed ladies after this procedure and have 2 friends who had it last year. There lives have been changed and they were playing golf after 6 weeks.

    • Posted

      Thank you Matron for replying. I had the bladder sling put in when she did the prolapse surgery for cystecele and rectecele. I wasn't having bladder issue only if you sneezed when it was full. I did have a small amount of leaking with cystecele. Now there no leaking at all, which is great. I just don't empty it all the way. By a lot, after I went at office. They ultrasound my bladder and it still had 500cc still there. After I went in toilet where it measured 450cc.

      I think my doctor was saying like you that it's much simpler operation. She was going to in and loosen it by making a small cut in the sling. I was just thinking it would be a few days and when I asked more specific questions found out 6 weeks like you said.

      I just wasn't ready for that, just now doing things again.

      Is there anything I can do with my bladder to get it emptying? I'm up at least 4 times a night.,just because it uncomfortable, not because of leaking.

      I do drink a lot of water and unsweetened tea. Which I've always done that. Also have you had much experience with slings being to tight after surgery. She also said 15 percent chance that it could cause you to leak.

      I just decided to wait a couple more months. It's 5 now. Sling was made from ACell, ( pigs bladder). Haven't been getting infection. Lower back pain and on my side( left). It not bad, comes and goes. Could self catheter work? She said I could try that, but I really didn't want too. I'm am a little afraid I could make my bladddr not work. Had a week of that after surgery.

      Thank you so much for taking your time to help all of us.smile That's very kind of you.

    • Posted

      Hello grace. I've seen the sling loosened but if I recall the post op advice wasn't as strict as the advice you've been given however urogynaecologists do give different advice and it is best to be cautious. Personally I haven't had experience of the sling being too tight in patients but some recent research I read stated that 1:5 ladies had to go back to theatre to have it loosened. That was a small piece of research as well and I would think it's the same elsewhere. In urogynaecology the sling is quite new so I think problems are inevitable unfortunately. You are retaining a lot if urine as you know 100mls is the maximum we should retain. Self catheterisation would help but I worry about the risk of infection (even in hospital settings it's a risk) however when it is so uncomfortable it could be something you could do if for instance you're going out for any length of time or out for an evening at least then you could get some relief and not worry. I can understand how you feel. We go through these procedures hoping they will end all our problems, then something else goes wrong.

    • Posted

      Thanks Matron, I'm going to hold off on surgery., Going back in next month and get retested on how much I'm retaining. After she did the catheter I haven't felt as bad. She said 1 out 10 has to have it loosen. I think I must have misunderstood her, that would be a lot!

      Thanks again.biggrin)

    • Posted

      It may depend on her experience as to how many loosen and as I said it was just a small piece of research that I read.
  • Posted

    Hi Grace. I have exact same problem as you. Post Op 7 days. They are leaving catheter in for 5 more days saying my bladder is just swollen.

    Too uncomfortable too retain 500 cc. How did you stand that?

    How are you doing now? Did you have to get loosened?

    Jo-Anne

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