WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about a bladder neck suspension? A bladder neck suspension is surgery to move your bladder and urethra back into their correct positions. This surgery is used to treat stress incontinence. You may leak urine when you strain, such as when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or lift a heavy object. How do I prepare for surgery? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during surgery? Your surgeon will make an incision in your vagina. Another incision may be made in your lower abdomen. He will put stitches around your bladder to hold it up against your abdominal wall. This helps prevent urine from leaking when you strain. Your surgeon will close the incision with stitches. Gauze bandages with medical cream may be put in your vagina. This helps healing and decreases the chance of infection. What are the risks of surgery? You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Surgery may block your bladder and cause irritation and difficulty urinating. A fistula (abnormal path) may develop and cause urine to collect in your body. You may get a blood clot in one of your limbs. This may become life-threatening. |