Bladder problems after hyst?????

I'm still waiting for my dr. office to call with my surgery date (TAH). As I'm trying to come to grips with what I'm going to go through, I'm reading the messages posted on here like crazy, and one thing I keep reading is something about bladder repair....bladder problems...etc.

Are bladder problems something that I'll have to deal with?? Is this common? Oh my gosh...I'm more scared than ever!
Here's my "ideal" scenario in my mind...I'm going to get rid of this huge uterus full of fibroids...not have these awful periods anymore...and I'm going to heal up without a hitch..and never look back! Right???
thanks..
Kathy

Hi,

I'm wondering about the same thing. I am having some problems emptying my bladder. My surgery was 4/19/02. Let me kinow if you find out anything.

thanks.

I just went to my pre-op visit today and asked my Dr. about this exact thing....she told me that I shouldn't have any problems after the hyst. I already have stress incontinece, (sneezing, coughing...), sometimes, I suppose it has something to do with having pushed out 4 8lb. babies! She told me to do my kegle exercises, which I can't spell but can describe... you clench the same muscles you use to stop the flow of urine and do this around 100 times a day... at least that what she told me to do. I don't think that this surg. predisposes you to having bladder problems at all tho. I hope this jumble makes some kind of sense and helps!! God Bless!! Betsy

My surgery was almost 7 months ago. I had 1% cystocele prior to my hysterectomy which caused me stress incontinence..

I did not have a bladder repair and so far my stress incontinence is GONE! I have literally had not stress incontinence since my hysterectomy.

It was a pleasant suprise, even my Dr was suprised. Not sure how long this will last, but am sure enjoying it.

Hi Kathy!

I had a Burch repair with my TAH. I have been very pleased with the results so far. If any of you ladies have stress incontinence, please mention it to your Dr. PRIOR to your hyst. I did, and my Dr. recommended the Burch, and my insurance had no problems approving it, based only on my symptoms of stress incontinence. I had no urinary tests at all.

Due to the recovery of the TAH, I did not notice any problems with the Burch recovery, but don't think I would want to have the repair done as a seperate surgery. Just my opinion. I left my catheter in the hospital and was going on my own with in minutes of it's removal!

Best of luck to you!

Since I wasn't that bothered by my stress incontinence, I opted NOT to have the repair after discussing it with my Dr prior to my surgery.

I agree though, definitely discuss this with your Dr. prior to your surgery.

Count me in as another princess who is sooo glad she discussed this with my Dr. I have had stress incontinence for as long as I can remember. Now, I can cough, sneeze, lift things and not leak. It is so nice to be dry!

My Dr said he "could" do the proceedure, but he would prefer to have a urologist in to do that and help with the hyst. As it was, my ovaries were adhered to my ureter (tube leading from the kidney's to the bladder) and he was very glad to have the urologist there to help make sure they remained intact.

As far as I know, it did not change my recoverey at all, except that I came home with my catheter for a couple of days (had it for a total of 5 days). I was able to empty my bladder the minute it was removed. Before they removed my catheter, they put in 200cc of sterile water. I went into the bathroom and gave them 200cc right back!

I am soooo happy I had this proceedure done!

Caren