Urinary Incontinence Fixed by Surgery: Autologous Sling as an Alternative to Vaginal Mesh

After giving birth to her second son, Amy suffered from severe urinary incontinence. It got so bad that she could barely walk across the room or play with her kids without fear of leakage. She decided she had to do something, and reached out to Dr. Ariana Smith at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.
Amy and Dr. Smith considered a procedure involving vaginal mesh, but ultimately decided on an alternative to that procedure that used only Amy's own tissue to fix the problem. This procedure - called an autologous sling - has nearly identical outcomes as a mesh procedure, but gives patients the peace of mind of knowing there are no foreign materials in their body.
Six weeks after her surgery Amy's incontinence was a thing of the past, and she was back to doing all the activities she loves - especially playing with her 2 energetic boys.
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[@barbarahelis]

Before any of you opt for surgery, explore hypopressives. Hypopressive exercises (low-pressure exercise made of postures and a specific type of breath work) is what fixed my decades long incontinence following two vaginal births in less than two months. I practice only a few minutes per day. I run, jog, laugh, jump and sneeze without leaking. Amazing. Hypopressives are taught to women by some more enlightened hospitals as part of immediate postpartum treatment in countries like Spain and France. If only this were a common practice in more places around the world!

[@sassylass9305]

USA is in many ways behind Europe. I've been seeing ads from the Vagina Coach about her Buff Muff method. Sounds like what you describe. I just came back from a Urologist appointment with the bad news that I need the sling surgery because my incontinence is so bad at this point. Never had kids, but have had this problem since before age 40.

[@angelawashington7732]

I have this problem at the age of 39. It's pretty embarrassing, especially if it happens in public. People can be very mean.

[@patriciaburch6471]

Do you still do this surgery doctor

[@moonbeam8487]

I want this surgery but I want what she had. I don't want the mesh I heard so many bad things about it. I just want my own body parts in me like she did. I am so tired of peeing alot or not being able to empty my bladder the right way and not being able to spend more time with my son.

[@patriciaburch6471]

Me too. Those exercises are a joke

[@xllFELIXllx]

What have u heard about it?

[@miradwivedi8288]

You're brave lady..... lots of love from India..!! Keep it up

[@samanthasmith3515]

I just had the same surgery you had and it hurt so bad . The surgery was very sucessful . Tell me how you got on that plan because I can barely walk.. You make the surgery look so easy and simple. I know I got to heal can you give me some ideal on what to do while healing.

[@naturalbeauty5028]

samantha smith did it heal

[@richardmagee3957]

@@samanthasmith3515 did it work or you still have overactive bladder?

[@axaypargi2949]

​@@samanthasmith3515 how much cost?

[@lattymom1]

Scheduled for the mesh, I'm going to talk to the doc about this procedure. Don't really want plastic inside me.

[@rowiemillar7321]

Dont have mesh .I had a Burch colosuspention for my bladder mild incontinence I wish I never had it and they didnt use mesh ! After a few years the bladder prolapses.a hysterectomy makes it worse

[@mflores306]

@@rowiemillar7321 hey do u have instagram where we can text? i have a couple questions about your experience with the birch procedure

[@ranrachvl]

Don't do mesh! I now live with chronic pain because of it.

[@sjordan7085]

I think you are very smart to not want plastic inside you.

[@azucenacortez1100]

Question for you did you end up getting it? If so how has it been for you? Did u have problems walking like when you it made u want to pee?

[@soniahoffman7328]

Dr I had a bladder lift 2mnths ago and now have a bladder leakage can you pls help me in getting my bladder work again healthy and thank you for your video on this bladder leakage oh and I don't know what procurge the Drs did but I have no cuts

[@rossannesetosta1742]

I have the same problem i. Wonder how much it cost..

[@deborahdonnelly8423]

Your insurance might cover treatment for urinary for issues.

[@charmyers5461]

Yes--Deborah, I have the same question. Wish this doctor could do the procedure.

[@tamaralinekar2904]

Had the mesh done 8 years ago was perfect ! However 5 years ago started to develop UTI frequently ! Not sure this is the cause the mesh ? Awaiting to see urologist in due course sooner the better, not been good all these UTIs permanently antibiotics.

[@Sheryleization]

Do you drink enough water? I heard d- mannose, an over the counter supplement helps with uti's

[@EnglishwithArif]

You are very brave and hard lady, thanks so much, of Bangladesh

[@okotray4577]

She was raised to open up.

[@elijahdavid3621]

Please if you can please recommend a surgeon that does this surgery in Arizona. Thank you ❤️

[@kjpiper8398]

Is the patient put fully to sleep with this procedure or is it called twilight sleep?

[@crazykitten440]

In my area ,yes, yes. You are put to sleep even though it's Ambulatory or short stay surgery.

[@stellaaj5474]

But can someone that has not given birth do this operation because i heard its safe after child birth

[@PrincessKimoSaki]

Please help me. I been dealing with this my entire life.

[@sheilafreeman423]

Was pelvic floor therapy given as an option before surgery?

[@amandabrazell4229]

That's what my doctor referred. Can't wait to see if it works.

[@teresastillabower8361]

For me that was a joke.

[@kjpiper8398]

@@amandabrazell4229 pelvic floor therapy has not worked for me

[@patriciacampat4289]

He big is the scar in the thigh post fascia lata removal?

[@bushraalhashimi2143]

Pleass adress of hosptal

[@kekepurple645]

Aww that's so nice

[@shaz1731]

i wish i had been offered this. instead i was given the mesh worse mistake ever!

[@Fortworthman999]

Looked up how to install a gfi plug and ended up here...weird.

[@kobeestrada7392]

Ur blessed my man

[@mystikel6267]

No Plastic should be inside the human body!This crap has ruined my life !

[@texasgoddess323]

Can you have it removed? I’ve seen so many commercials for law suits for this mesh. Wishing you peace.

[@allisonmunn9813]

Don't get it I did and been in he'll

[@marianneyag4106]

oh no, are you okay now?

[@amandalee4242]

The mesh or autologous

[@01chittock]

Obviously mesh! She wouldn’t have had the issues with her own body tissue.

[@dodecahedron7499]

I’m a dude wtf am I doing here?

[@intothewild8477]

DODECAHEDRON! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! same bro

[@cindyrobertson3798]

Learn all you can ,birth menopause etc.makesyou a better partner

[@tinkerhero6014]

vesico vaginal fistula