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Urinary incontinence surgery - female - discharge

Open retropubic colposuspension - discharge; Laparoscopic retropubic colposuspension - discharge; Needle suspension - discharge; Burch colposuspension - discharge; VOS - discharge; Urethral sling - discharge; Pubo-vaginal sling - discharge; Pereyra, Stamey, Raz, and Gittes procedures - discharge; Tension free vaginal tape - discharge; Transobturator sling - discharge; Marshall-Marchetti retropubic bladder suspension - discharge, Marshal-Marcheti-Krantz (MMK) - discharge

Stress incontinence is a leakage of urine that happens when you are active or when there is pressure on your pelvic area. You had surgery to correct this problem. This article tells you how to take care of yourself after you leave the hospital.

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When You're in the Hospital

Stress incontinence is a leakage of urine that happens when you are active or when there is pressure on your pelvic area. Walking or doing other exercise, lifting, coughing, sneezing, and laughing can all cause urine leakage if you have stress incontinence. You had surgery to correct this problem. Your surgeon may have operated on the ligaments and other body tissues that hold your bladder or urethra in place.

What to Expect at Home

You may be tired and need more rest for about 4 weeks. You may have pain or discomfort in your vaginal area or leg for a few months. Light bleeding or discharge from the vagina is normal.

You may go home with a catheter (tube) to drain urine from your bladder.

Self-care

Take care of your surgical incision (cut).

Nothing should go into the vagina for at least 6 weeks. If you are menstruating, do not use tampons for at least 6 weeks. Use pads instead. Do not douche. Do not have sexual intercourse during this time.

Try to prevent constipation. Straining during bowel movements will put pressure on your incision.

Your health care provider may ask you to wear compression stockings for 4 to 6 weeks. These will improve your circulation and help prevent blood clots from forming.

Know the signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Ask your provider for information about this. Call your provider if you think you might have a urinary tract infection.

Activity

You may slowly start your normal household activities. But be careful not to get overtired.

Walk up and down stairs slowly. Walk each day. Start slowly with 5-minute walks 3 or 4 times a day. Slowly increase the length of your walks.

Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Lifting heavy objects puts too much stress on your incision.

Do not do strenuous activities, such as golfing, playing tennis, bowling, running, biking, weight lifting, gardening or mowing, and vacuuming for 6 to 8 weeks. Ask your provider when it is OK to start.

You may be able to return to work within a few weeks if your work is not strenuous. Ask your provider when it will be OK for you to go back.

You may start sexual intercourse after 6 weeks. Ask your provider when it will be OK to start.

Going Home with a Urinary Catheter

Your provider may send you home with a urinary catheter if you cannot urinate on your own yet. The catheter is a tube that drains urine from your bladder into a bag. You will be taught how to use and care for your catheter before you go home.

You may also need to do self-catheterization.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if you have:

Related Information

Anterior vaginal wall repair
Artificial urinary sphincter
Urinary incontinence - injectable implant
Urinary incontinence - retropubic suspension
Urinary incontinence - urethral sling procedures
Urinary incontinence - tension-free vaginal tape
Stress urinary incontinence
Urge incontinence
Urinary incontinence
When you have urinary incontinence
Kegel exercises - self-care
Indwelling catheter care
Self catheterization - female
Urinary incontinence products - self-care
Getting out of bed after surgery
Urinary incontinence - what to ask your doctor
Urinary catheters - what to ask your doctor

References

Hartigan SM, Chapple CR, Dmochowski RR. Retropubic suspension surgery for incontinence in women. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 123.

Wagg AS. Urinary incontinence. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Young J, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2017:chap 106.

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Review Date: 1/1/2023  

Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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