trouble urinating after sling surgery

Posted , 7 users are following.

I  had stress incontinence sling surgery on Oct. 18th and I was having trouble urinating. I wore an internal catheter for a week and then I have to use external catheters to empty my bladder. what can I do to get my bladder to start working properly? What have other's done after this surgery? How long did it take you to get back to normal? Feeling discouraged and disappointed.

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  • Posted

    Hi. I know exactly what you're going through. I had the same problem and had to self-catheterise for about 5 weeks after my op although for the last couple of weeks I just had to do it in the morning and evening. Now it seems like a distant memory, however. It's disappointing and unpleasant while it lasts, but it will get better! All the best!

    • Posted

      Thanks for your thoughts and I have some hope after reading your post. God Bless.

       

    • Posted

      Hello Scortes. After you started going in your own did you have any issues? I am only able to hold it 45 minutes to an hour.. scared go back to doctor 30th. Just had surgery the 13th.
  • Posted

    Hi Shari52359

    I had the same problem after having a cystocele repair. I also went home with a catheter after trying to empty my badder for 8 days. Very frightening. Even though my op was in June I am still not voiding properly. My Gyno has put me on Urocarb which is good for helping you to go and empty properly. He was a bit reluctant to put me on it but I go back to see him in 4 weeks so hopefully I will be right by then. I am also getting a second opinion from a urologist/gyno as apparently I now have a rectocele. Maybe you can discuss this medication with your specialist. Good luck.

  • Posted

    I'm glad you brought this subject up. I had my surgery August 2016. Had urine bag for a week, then had to self cath for long time to completely empty. I could go but wouldn't be empty. Sometimes as much as 600 to 800 cc still left in me. In March I went back for to have the sling loosen. My dr said it was common, I don't think it is.  Right after this surgery I was emptying like a dream! Was so happy. Now for the pass 4 months I'm not again. And have a dull pain on my left side toward the back. Im discouraged at the momement. Not really knowing what to do. I had a cystecele stage 3 and recetecele stage 4.  Im 52 heathy, no weight issues.

    They used Acell which was from pigs bladder. It might had been better if I didn't go back for 2nd surgery. Which she made a small cut in sling to loosen. I think it has fallen down some.

    I feel your pain, hope your resolves on it's on. 

    Grace

    • Posted

      Hello Grace, I must had my surgery the 13th had catheter for week now self cathing until 30th, I have to void at least 150cc or cath myself , I am doing pretty good there but have to go every 45 minutes to an hour scared now my bladder can't hold much and have urgency issue......

    • Posted

      Hi Tannersnan,

      It’s been 16 months since I had the sling loosen.  Two years since  the surgery. Seams much longer!! I did find that if I took azo brand with cranberry and probiotic in them Dailey. It made a big difference.  My bladder still gets that pressure feeling and retains urine. But doesn’t do it all the time.  Also if I don’t keep my colon empty I notice my bladder retaining. The other thing that I did in the beginning, I was taking tynol PM to sleep, and that contribute to me not being able to urineate. The doctor said that was more common in man then women. But it did improve after that.  You do get a lot of swelling in there and it will go away. Things  improve slowly,  I was good about not lifting etc.  

      Two years latter I do feel stronger, healthier again.  Just wish the bladder had stayed exactly as it was after 2nd surgery. I am going to a pelvic floor therapist now. Just ever 6 weeks, mostly for her to keep a check. And me to have someone to make sure I do the exercise!!

      Best of luck on your recovery. It will happen!!

      Grace

  • Posted

    Oh dear you poor girl. I've got mesh sling, put in 2yrs ago. Only had 1x prob urinating on 2nd day which required another catheter. Next morning that was taken out & I have been fine ever since. Was it not a Urogynaecologist who did your surgery anyway? 

    • Posted

      She was a urologist that also specialized in pelvic floor. There were no  Urogynaecologist were we live.  She had done a friend of mine 7 years ago, and she had no problem.  

      Might have something to do with going through menopause early at 45. I was very careful, took 4 months of being extremely careful. 

      So uncountable to have that fullness in the bladder. Sometimes I feel that it empties, Just makes you aware of that area all the time. 

      Hopefully this isn't to common, don't mean to scare anyone. I did have easy time as far as not much pain.

    • Posted

      Yes. robyn my doctor is a Urogynaecologist. My surgery was on Oct 18th and so it has only been 9 days. They took the internal catheter out and taught me how to use an external catheter. I am doing much better, but still not emptying all the way. I can go without catheter better than I was. May appt. is Nov. 1st for post check-up. I am hoping everything wakes up completely and the mesh sling relaxes some which the doctor said it will. I have had no real pain other the pressure with some uncomfortable feeling while trying to empty my bladder. Thank you for your thoughts. I'll keep everyone posted.

       

    • Posted

      Grace, I hope everything gets better for you and so sorry to hear you have had problems for 4 months. I wish you well and prayers for everything to start working properly. Are you doing your kegel exercises? Say a prayer for me, too. Thanks for you comments.
    • Posted

      Phew. You're going to have so much swelling inside still. You'll get there. Sounds like it's progressing little by little and it will just take time. 

    • Posted

      I was so swollen and red last night it was hard to use the catheter. I used an ice pack for a while and was able to get the catheter in. I guess I just want to get well to fast and I'm going to have use the catheters to let everything heal. It is definitely putting a cramp in my style. LOL

    • Posted

      Shari, this is exactly how I am feeling hope it gets better soon for us....scary. will post again after doctor visit 30th. I am seeing urologist /gyn
  • Posted

    I just had bladder sling surgery by urologist/gyn very experienced it's been only 8 days and they took catheter out and taught me how to self Catheter if not voiding at least 150cc. I have had to catheter quite a few times hoping and praying it's just still swollen. This is scary, they told me try not to stress because it can also cause lack of voiding. Glad there is a discussion about it here makes me feel not alone.

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