Sling Procedure

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I am three years out from my prostatectomy and still have what doctors call "mild" stress incontinence. I use 1 pad per day but I want to eliminate the pad if at all possible. I am considering undergoing a sling procedure and was wondering if there is anybody on the discussion boards who has had the procedure and could give me insights about what to expect. Greatly appreciate anyone who can offer guidance. Thanks,

 

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Jwai
I'm in the exact same situation at 28 months and I've read posts from some as long as four years. I've watched the video and some statistics say it's over 90%. Well according to my surgeon we're supposed to be 100% dry at this stage. Success rate was supposed to be greater than 99% and we're still leaking. I would be the one to fall in the 10% that didn't work with the sling. Anxious to see feedback

 

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After my prostate surgery in 2005 I was a 1 pad a day user. Two or three years later, I spoke to my urologist about the sling and decided to try it. After surgery for a couple of days I was dry. After that it came back. My opinion is that the surgery itself may have left me with some swelling and therefore helped me remain dry. Here I am in 2021 and I use 3 to 4 pads a day. It's slowly gotten worse over the years. I am considering artificial urinary sphincter. One thing I've learned over the years, is that specialists want to do surgery. That's what they do. If a urologist tells me I'm a candidate for AUS, I will ask, what makes me a candidate and what would make me NOT a candidate. How many of your patients have been dry with the AUS? Can I make contact with some of them. I also wonder if, because of my previous sling, will that make me not a candidate. All the best to you.

 

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2007-2008 was pretty early for slings. Do you know what kind you got or how much experience your surgeon had performing the procedure? I'm learning that it all matters. They say that the less you leak, the more likely the procedure will work. I agree with you about talking to patients who have had the procedure. That's one of the reasons I posted on this blog. There just aren't that many people to ask since it isn't that common. Good luck if you decided to go forward with AUS. It is the next logical step.

 

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I’m over 4 years post prostatectomy, leaked like a sieve, did pads and penile clamps.
Grew fatigued with the clamps and decided to try the male sling.

I’m 200 days post surgery and almost totally dry. I now wear a shield, very thin pad, but no clamp. I still get into situations that can result with leaks but nothing compared to my previous 4 years
A sling decision should be investigated closely with your urologist but it definitely shouldn’t be discounted.
Out patient surgery, two days with catheter, 1 month of no lifting or exercise, minor to moderate pain with movement for the first 2 weeks.
The sling is a permanent insertion and requires no maintenance or replacement.

The sling is inserted below the testicles and is designed to give support to the urethra.

On a personal note, the insertion point has raised concerns about the effects on my overall “package size.” The location of the sutures and the designed nature of drawing skin together has had, in my opinion, an impact on the immediate area.

I questioned my surgeon about my concerns and he laughed and said, ‘no, can’t happen.” Now I’m a skeptic when it comes to our medical industry but I didn’t push the issue.

I have no statistical data to prove or disprove but I’m convinced a change has taken place.

Overall I’m happy with the sling because it has significantly lessen the burden of incontinence