I've just had another urodynamics with xray test and have been told that a colpo suspension is the best way forward for me as my bladder muscle is too weak to allow me to wee properly after having TVT. I'm quite pleased not to be having TVT as I've read some horror stories about them, but it would be good to be able to go for long walks and do my zumba classes etc without being soaked! Does anyone out there have experience of this operation? I know it's not used often these days as it's quite an expensive procedure and most women just have the TVT. It would be good to know of any successes.
Hi Mary
I have had this operation and it has worked for me :-) I had mine after my TVT cut through my bladder and had to be removed. Believe it or not, they offered me another TVT or TOT but I said Thank you very much, but no thanks and did my own research. As with any operation, there is a lot to consider. My consultant told me it was not a minor operation, and he was right. Having had both operations, I can tell you that the Colposuspension was more painful and the recovery time is longer. I was in hospital for 4 days after the op, the incision is similar to that of a ceasearian section. One thing I would urge you to speak to your consultant about is the risk of infection - I was told it was 1 in every 500. Unfortunately I was one of the unlucky ones, it does happen! I am though, very happy in the fact that I now feel that I'm able to be more active and no longer need to wear any protection. My consultant also told me that he planned to do more of the operations in place of the TVT/TOT. Good Luck
Many thanks for your response Debbie. It's good to know that you've had a successful outcome. Yes I do realise that it's a not a minor op. My urologist said it could be done by keyhole surgery but the wait would be much longer, she also said it was more successful when done the original way and as I'm not too worried about having a scar on my stomach and don't want to have to wait too long I said I'd go ahead. How long ago did you have yours done? I understand they often fail after about 10 years.
Sorry can't help but goodluck. I am having 1st meeting with the incontinence nurse next Wednesday.
Good luck to you too Moodyone. Unfortunately it's usually quite long time from seeing the incontinence nurse to actually having treatment in my experience. You'll probably have all the kegel exercises etc to try first - and of course they might work for you. All the best!
Thanks I have been doing the Kegel since prostate cancer 5 years ago and still practice them now.
I had my op 16 months ago, I had mine with open surgery, I wasn't offered keyhole. My Consultant said to continue with pelvic floor excercises (though I don't know why - if they had worked in the first place, I wouldnt have had to have the op lol) he said that the SUI could reoccure so I needed to be aware of that, it is a lot to go through so I hope it doesnt :-)
Hi again Debbie, the infection you spoke of after the operation, was it in your bladder or the wound itself?
Hi Mary, it was in the wound itself not the bladder.
Hey! I am new to this discussion but your surgeries seem similar to mine. I had a TOT done, then a revision loosening due to erosion/urgency. Well it is still awful, I luckily found an amazin surgeon who practices internationally and has an office in my hometown of Atlanta who said he will remove the mesh for me, he wants to do the Burch procedure as well at the same time. He can do it laparoscopically, my question is with the Burch how is your recovery? Do you feel any retention or similar symptoms or is it so much better?
Hi, it's now been 18 months since my Birch surgery and I have had no problems with either retention or urgency, and I'm now far more active than I was prior to the surgery, As far as the recovery goes, I'm probably the wrong person to give advice on that - I had open surgery and was told my recovery would be 6 - 8 weeks, but it didn't turn out that way as I contracted an infection in the surgical site. Despite this, I would recommend the Birch over the mesh any day. Only last week, my new Consultant stated that he had no idea as to why anyone would think placing that type of mesh in that area, for that reason, would be a good idea!
Good luck with your surgery, take your time with your recovery and I know you will feel much better once the mesh has been removed.
Hi Mary90,
I'm just about to go for my urodynamics (Thursday)...the Consultant has told me to choose between the TVT and the colposuspension although he was definitely pushing me towards the latter. He told me to go away and review it carefully but did stress that although the colposuspension was a bigger op, it had been going for a lot longer and had a bigger success rate....on reading some of the horror stories around the TVT I'm moving towards the bigger op (only downside is that my company don't pay sick pay so I'm gonna struggle following the op). I'm office based so I'm hoping I'm going to be able to be back in work after 4 weeks off. Not quite sure what the waiting time is for the op in my area (Liverpool) but will hopefully know more following my appointment on Thursday.
Hi Callyw, I replied to you about an hour ago but it disappeared into the ether. Apologies if this appears twice.
I would definitely go for the colposuspension if I were you. I haven't had my op yet but I've done a lot of research and from what I've read I wouldn't touch TVT with a barge pole! I know the recovery is longer initially but there appear to be far fewer problems afterwards. The main thing I'm worried about is the possiblility of not being able to empty my bladder properly after it but that is even more common with TVT. I know it can also cause prolapse in some women too but I'm hoping I won't be one of them.
Do let me know how you get on and I'll do the same. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Callyw31- hey my advice is to go for burch procedure. I am about to have third mesh surgery to remove it and have burch done at the same time. All doctors are different mine is doing it laparoscopically. Even an open incision should only be 4-6 weeks recovery. I don't want to bad mouth the sling because many women have no issue with it but if you have any doubt go with the burch. There are no foreign bodies involved and its using your own tissue with sutures to support bladder neck. If it helps at all I wish I could turn back time and picked the burch over tvt. Best wishes!!
Awww thanks ladies....appointment for the urodynamics was one of the most embarrasing and degrading things I've ever had to go through...though nothing could top childbirth !!!! Anyway did have a good talk with the consultant ...told him my doubts about the TVT...he wasn't committing to say anything bad about the TVT even when I asked about it being banned in Scotland...he feels that this was a 'knee jerk reaction' but did add that it had to be my decision and both ops were suitable for me. My friend's had the TVT and is thrilled with the results but she is only a year post-op and from what I read it can take a few years for the damage to kick in. I did ask to have a bit longer to think about my decision and came away and printed all the documents off that I could find and have had a long hard think and talk with the hubby and we both feel that the burch is the better option. Going back in June to let him know my decision. Consultant said I'd be done within 3 months of my decision so will let you all know. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't scared...it doesn't help having a terrible phobia of hospitals and being put to sleep but hey I need to start thinking long term and all them trampolines I can bounce on once I'm done hahahahah ....thanks again ladies x
Hi again Debbie,
My colposuspension op has finally come through for 8th August. Could I ask a couple more questions please? Did you have any trouble emptying your bladder after the op and has it had any effect on your sex life?
Thanks, Mary
Hi Mary, I will send you a private message later when I get home from work 😊
Thanks Debbie
Hi Debbie, I have just joined this group. I see you have had the tape & a burchsuspension following problems with the tape method. I am the opposite way. I had my burchsuspension 10 yrs ago, 18mths after a total hysterectomy (which went wrong & started a lot of worse probs for me) the burch worked for a while but now the stress incontinence is much worse than before my 1st bladder surgery. I have been to see my consultant today. I have concerns over having a tape done as it's more complicated & risky being a 2nd repair.(Not sure if no cervix makes a difference?) take it the tape didn't work for you & caused worse probs?? Did you try Botox treatment to the bladder at all? I been offered this for my urge incontinence. That only started after the burchsuspension? It doesn't help stress incontinence mind. I really don't know about risking the Botox or any taping method in the future. Don't know if anyone here is similar to myself. 10yrs post burchsuspension & needing another repair??
Hi, I have just joined & sending a few messages out. I see you have had bad problems with the tape. I hope this has been sorted for you & you have had or going to have soon your burchsuspension. I had my burchsuspension 10 years ago.18mths after a total hysterectomy (Abdominal & didn't go well) that was the start of my probs but that's a long story. I have seen my consultant today about a 2nd bladder repair. I have developed urge as well as the severe stress incontinence now. That started about 5 yrs post burchsuspension. I have a lot of worries about having a tape. It's more complicated to do a 2nd repair. I have had 3 more abdominal surgeries (bowel, hernia's, appendix) since my burchsuspension so don't know if that affected the bladder op? My leakage is much worse now than 1st time needing repair. But it is 10yrs down the line. Have you ever tried or been offered Botox for the bladder? I don't know anyone 10 yrs or more post burchsuspension or anyone had a 2nd repair. I was 42 when I had the burchsuspension. Take it you would say go with my doubts on any tape method & stay away?