Surgery for female urinary incontinence is usually done by placing a surgical tape called TVT - Tension Free Vaginal Tape or TOV - Tape and Trans Obturator Tape, also called Sling surgery, which is placed under the urethra to support it, increasing the ability to hold the pee. The type of surgery is usually selected with the doctor, according to the symptoms, age and history of each woman.
The surgery is performed under local or epidural anesthesia and has an 80% chance of success, being indicated for cases of stress urinary incontinence that have not had the expected result after more than 6 months of treatment with Kegel exercises and physical therapy.
Surgery for urinary incontinence in men can be done with the injection of substances in the sphincter region or placement of an artificial sphincter, to help close the urethra, preventing the involuntary passage of urine. In more rare cases, male urinary incontinence can also be treated with Sling placement.
How is recovery from surgery
Recovery after surgery for urinary incontinence is relatively quick and painless. In most cases, it is only necessary to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days and then you can return home, paying attention only to following some precautions such as:
- Avoid making efforts for 15 days, not being able to exercise, bend down, pick up weight or get up suddenly; Eat foods rich in fiber to avoid constipation; Avoid coughing or sneezing in the 1st month; Wash the genital area with water and mild soap always after urinating and evacuating; Wear cotton panties to prevent the appearance of infections; Do not use tampons; Do not have intimate relationships for at least 40 days; Do not bathe in a bathtub, pool or sea to avoid contact with contaminated water.
These post-operative care must be strictly followed to prevent the risk of complications, but depending on the type of surgery the doctor may give other indications, which must also be followed.
After 2 weeks, Kegel exercises can be started to help strengthen the muscles around the bladder, accelerating recovery and ensuring better results. However, before starting this type of exercise it is very important to talk to the doctor, as, depending on the degree of healing, it may be recommended to wait a few more days. Check out how to do Kegel exercises correctly.
How food can help
Consuming water in the right measure and avoiding coffee are some tips that can help control pee, even after surgery, see what else can be done in this video:
Possible risks of surgery
Although relatively safe, incontinence surgery can cause some complications, such as:
- Difficulty urinating or completely emptying the bladder; Increased urge to urinate; More recurrent urinary tract infections; Pain during intimate intercourse.
Thus, before opting for surgery it is important to try the other treatment options for urinary incontinence, so it is important to talk to a urologist. See all treatment options.
