Urogynecology Surgery
Providing you with the most effective surgical options to treat pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, and problems from prior pelvic reconstructive surgery.
After diagnosis, you and your urogynecologist may determine that surgery is your best option to provide relief from your symptoms.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Many procedures for pelvic organ prolapse (bulging of the pelvic organs into and out of the vagina) are performed vaginally using either your own tissues or supplemental materials. These procedures leave no incisions on the outside as all of the incisions are in the vagina. Vaginal prolapse procedures include hysterectomy, vaginal suspension and repair of the bladder and rectum bulging into and out of the vagina. Other prolapse procedures may be performed through a single abdominal incision or laparoscopically, with robotic assistance, through several small abdominal incisions.
Urinary Incontinence
Surgical options for urinary incontinence also depend on your specific situation. Surgery for stress urinary incontinence (leakage associated with coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercise) is most often treated through the vagina using a small strap of synthetic material, a mid-urethral sling, to help support your urethra (the outlet of the bladder). These procedures are performed routinely by our urogynecology surgeons and allow you to return home the same day. If you and your surgeon decide that this is not an option for you, our surgeons also offer other alternative surgical procedures for stress urinary incontinence.
Urinary Frequency
Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center urogynecologists also offer surgical treatment for urinary frequency and urge urinary incontinence (leakage associated with a sudden urge to go to the bathroom). While usually treated with dietary modification, physical therapy and medications, our urogynecologists offer sacral nerve stimulation if these other measures fail.
Pelvic Floor Stimulation
The procedure consists of placement of a small wire next to the nerves that go to the bladder and placement of a small battery that provides stimulation. It acts as a pacemaker for the bladder to calm its contractions and decrease urinary urgency and urge incontinence. This procedure is also effective for fecal incontinence and does not require a hospital stay.
Complications from Prior Surgery
Many women may also suffer from problems from prior pelvic surgery such as recurrent prolapse, urinary incontinence, mesh erosion, painful intercourse and vaginal scarring. Surgical management may be one component of successful treatment and our surgeons are adept at handling the spectrum of surgical complications.
Depending on your specific diagnosis, previous health issues and expectations of surgery, you and your surgeon will determine the best surgical option for you. All three of the urogynecologists at Methodist Physicians Women’s Center have completed a three-year fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery and bring exemplary surgical expertise to pelvic floor disorders.