Had a laporoscopic colposuspension last week and thought I'd start this thread as I couldn't find many recent accounts on mumsnet when I was looking last year. I can't talk about it with friends but can do so here at least and hope it helps someone else.
-SUI for over a decade, started when I was pregnant with my first.
-2 mild prolapses diagnosed during examinations for the above
-Have tried contrelle, efemia, pelvic8 machines and seen 3 different women's health physios. Being honest had stopped with kegels as never noticed a difference but the latest said my pelvic strength was decent (4/5).
-Massive impact on daily life and self esteem - felt it was 'my fault' for not doing kegels enough. But then loads of women don't and they don't suffer like this.
Just assumed this was my life and saw it as a shameful secret I'd have to get used to - not going anywhere without planning toilet visits, leaking even if I just raise my voice or walk fast, dehydrated in summer, dread coughs and colds in winter... if you're reading this you know what I mean.
Saw a gynae for something else last year who said there were options and referred me to a urogynae consultant. Urodynamics test to confirm sui (confirmed as moderate which is between mild and severe) wasn't fun but the consultant was lovely and they do this all the time so it wasn't as embarrassing as I'd feared. Also said it really wasn't my fault and that often the urethra becomes kinked or moves slightly and kegels won't fix that. Told that colposuspension is the gold standard and that they can do it keyhole now.
Considered bulkamid injections but they said it's 50/50 whether it works and decided I'd probably end up with colposuspension surgery anyway so may as well go ahead, especially as I could have it keyhole. I don't think I'd have made the same choice if it had been open surgery as can't afford that long off work.
Full disclosure: I have health insurance through my work so was able to choose the date and consultant. I didn't like the first consultant I was referred to so switched a few months ago. My insurance always refused to deal with SUI as a complication of pregnancy (eldest is at secondary school!!), but took the new referral from the urogynae.
Had the procedure a week ago. First 48 hours were v uncomfortable but pain was well managed and the catheter was removed after 24 hours. Came home after 2 nights in hospital. Just 4 tiny scars and after 3 days I don't even need paracetamol, just laxido to avoid constipation. I was able to walk after 24 hours and have been for a walk every day. Stomach area feels a bit heavy but no pain. The worst bit was the bloating from the laporoscopy gas. That was SO uncomfortable and worse than I'd anticipated but also copable with as I knew it would get better and it has almost gone now. Tired for the first few days and still get dizzy if I overdo it so need to listen to my body.
Advice is to walk daily but avoid exercise for 6 weeks and avoid strenuous activity and lifting any weights for 3 months so that scar tissue can form and hold the bladder in place.
Too early to see the effects but I can post again in a few weeks if helpful. But the procedure itself was much less scary than I'd feared and I will definitely be back at work after Christmas although taking it easy and maybe working from home a bit more at first.
I just hope it makes a difference... It almost feels too much to hope for but other mumsnet posts have been positive so lets see!