Stress incontinence - TVT

[karmaz]

I am 52 years old. I was finally put on the list for this operation the other day. Had problems since the birth of my last child 10 years ago and twice the consultant advised me to have it done but I kept reading all the scare stories around it and put it off. The stress incontinence is now so bad and affecting so many aspects of my life that I have finally given in and am going for it. Then reading the Mail on line today there was yet another scare story around this procedure. 'Experts say it's safe. So why is this incontinence op leaving many women in such agony ?'. So once again feeling very nervous about it. Anyone out there got positive stories regarding this procedure . Especially those out there who had it done years ago. Does it affect your sex life ? .
Also the consultant told me that before the op I will have to see a continence adviser to be taught how to self catheterise myself after the operation as I might need to do this for up to 2 weeks afterwards. Has anyone any experiences of this ? Must admit took a lot for me to finally agree to this and I really have to have it done but now getting really worked up about it all.

[PullUpsAreTricky]

hi i was going to have this op last summer. Turned up on the day of the operation, only to be told about the procedure being banned in Scotland, just a few days previously.
I decided to postpone at this point. I went back had more intensive physio. I also take Betmiga,which has helped a lot and i can skip ( double unders).
For me, I'm glad i postphoned. I can always have it done later. Plus the you have to keep doing your pelvic floor exercises.

[Gail17]

Hi Karmaz, I've only just found this thread and after reading all the way down the page I'm relieved to see that you have decided against the TVT, I had my TVT fitted 8 years ago - it eroded into my bladder and the consultant wouldn't believe that anything was wrong for 2 years. I had to go to a private hospital to find out what had happened and had the tape from inside my bladder removed. My SUI returned - worse than it was originally, my consultant said it would get even worse as my oestrogen levels dropped when I went through the menopause. So for 5 years I put up with it (miserably). During this time, with the help of a continent nurse I tried everything to improve my Pelvic floor, from weighted cones to Electronic stimulation and medication, nothing worked, so I was referred to another hospital to discuss my options. My new consultant suggested a TVT-O, he said he preferred it to the TVT, I told him there was no way on this earth that I would have another tape.

I opted for the Burch Colposuspension and had the op last October. This is a major op, and has its own risk of complications, and a large scar. The Surgeon removed some of the remaining tape at the same time so my operation took longer than expected. Unfortunately I had an infection in the surgical site and this delayed the healing process considerably (6 months in all) and I now have an incisional hernia caused by the infection. I was told that this is rare - out of the 500 colposuspension operations my consultant has carried out, only 3 have resulted in an infection, but you need to discuss the possibility with your surgeon.

As far as my SUI is concerned it is now no longer a problem. Sex feels different, I have a deep pain during orgasm but this is the only "side effect" I have experienced. My waterworks are fine, I have no problems there at all. I was initially told that recovery is about 6-8 weeks but obviously my circumstances were different. I do wish I had opted for this operation in the first place, it wasn't offered 8 years ago as the TVT had replaced this method and its a lot cheaper for the NHS to carry out the TVT op.

Interestingly, at my last appointment, my consultant told me that he is now offering the Colposuspension to patients rather than the TVT. I think that speaks for itself. Whatever you decide to do, please do ask lots of questions and research lots - another good site to look at it Meshed up Mesh - before you go ahead - you really can't undo what is done.

[karmaz]

Gail17.....Thanks for your reply. I feel much better in myself that I finally decided against the TVT. I am now waiting for the Macroplastique injections . However I have to learn how to self catherterise myself before I can be put on the waiting list for this. I was shown how to do it the other day and have to practice every day and be confident with it. Must admit found it really difficult at first ..as to put it bluntly I couldn't find the hole. The nurse asked why I wasn't going for the TVT. I explained why, she said she was aware of difficulties with a 'small number of women' . I told her I wasn't prepared to take the risk. If these injections don't work I will go for the colopsuspension . Really glad to hear that this worked for you after all that you went through with the TVT. I find it really frightening how close I got to having the TVT done. It was only through reading the terrible accounts of how others like yourself have suffered that luckily I feel that I have now made the right decision. Thank you.

[karmaz]

Just adding an update on this thread that I started ages ago. I finally had the macroplastique injections today. Currently feeling very sore and having difficulty passing urine. Feels as though I constantly need a massive wee but it just dribbles out. Can anyone who has had this procedure tell me how long this will last and long will the recovery be / how long did you take off work ? I know it is very early days but would welcome any information.