TVT or Collagen Injections? - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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TVT or Collagen Injections?

TVT or Collagen Injections?

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Ask A Doctor

I was diagnosed with bladder prolapse, and my doctor gave me two options: TVT or collagen injections. Which one should I choose?

You should begin by getting a second opinion and researching your options thoroughly—not because your doctor is wrong, but because there are more than two options, and there are even options about what kind of tape or mesh to use if you decide to get a sling. The answer is not a simple matter of one treatment option being clearly better than another. They all have positives and negatives associated with them.

Collagen injections are the least invasive option with the fewest complications, but they do not last forever. Eventually the body absorbs the collagen, and your incontinence will return. You will have to repeat the process. Collagen injections also do not work for everyone, and there is even an occasional allergic reaction to the collagen.

A TVT sling, or trans-vaginal tape sling, is usually done with synthetic mesh tape that forms a support for your bladder, lifting it up within the pelvis. However, there have been concerns about long-term complications from synthetic mesh, so some surgeons have begun avoiding synthetic mesh in their surgeries. Instead, some will opt to use donated tissue to fashion a sling, or even your own fascia (connective tissue harvested from a thigh or elsewhere). Still others will use no sling at all but use stitches alone. You will want to research your surgeon’s experience and skills; speak to past patients if at all possible. A surgeon’s expertise is the single most important factor in determining how successful your prolapse repair is likely to be.

It is better to spend some time now making sure that you are choosing the right solution for you and that you are comfortable with your surgeon than to feel later that you rushed into it and did not properly explore your options.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.

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Find A Doctor Near You

Francisco Garcini, M.D. 1870 Silver Cross Blvd Suite 210 New Lenox IL 60451 815-463-3000	Iris Orbuch, M.D. 202 Spring Street 2nd Floor New York NY 10012 212-343-3040	Clifford Rogers, M.D. The Everett Clinic, Dept. of Surgery and Gynecology 1330 Rockefeller Ave, Suite 120 Everett WA 98201 425 339 5424
Aarathi Cholkeri-Singh, M.D. 120 Osler Drive Ste. 100 Napeville IL 60540 630-428-2229	Ruslana Kadze, M.D. 5525 Etiwanda Avenue Suite 228 Tarzana (Los Angeles) CA 91356 818-343-1717	Mini Somasundaram, M.D. 4845 Knightsbridge Boulevard Suite 220 Columbus OH 43214 (614) 583-5552
James Kondrup, M.D. 161 Riverside Drive Suite 109 Binghamton NY 13905 607-770-7074	Amie Napier, M.D. Medical City Hospital 7777 Forest Lane Suite A331 Dallas TX 75230 9725667760	Jennifer Hayes, M.D. Visionary Centre for Women 2695 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL 33762 727-540-0414

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